It is estimated that the planet is currently losing species at a rate between 1,000 and 10,000 times higher than the natural extinction rate (the natural extinction rate is 1 to 5 species a year) meaning tens of species are being lost every single day. We are currently living in a mass extinction, the difference between this situation and past mass extinctions is that this one is almost entirely caused by one species… humans.

So… What can we do to save the planet and those who live here with us? Here’s 3 ways you can help save the world:

1. Eat a more plant based diet.
   
   Animal agriculture is the leading cause of species extinction, ocean dead zones, water pollution and habitat destruction. Livestock currently covers 45% of the earth’s total land and if you are eating animal products you are helping to fund this deforestation and destruction. If you cut down the amount of animal products you are eating and transition to a vegan diet you can help reduce the impact on the planet. If you are vegan for one month you will save: 33,000 gallons (124,917 litres) of water, 1,200 lbs (543kg) of grain, 900 sq. ft of forest, 600 lbs (273kg) of Co2 and 30 animals lives (stats from thevegancalculator.com). Living a vegan lifestyle will not only help the environment but also people and animals, it will even benefit your own health… All while promoting nonviolence and compassion.
   

   

   
   

2. Avoid single use plastic.
   
   Single-use plastic is all over the place, from plastic water bottles, to straws, to coffee cups and plastic bags. These are items we can encounter every single day but have you ever thought about what happens after you’ve used it? You throw it ‘away’.. But where is ‘away’? Well, plastic does not just disappear. It may be temporarily out of our sight but plastic waste is being produced in such vast amounts that it is appearing on even the most remote beaches, it is collecting up in the ocean (google the Great Pacific Garbage Patch if you don’t believe me), it is being eaten by wildlife and it is ending up in the food chains so now even humans could be eating plastic! All of this plastic pollution is destroying the planet so what can we do? We need to be more conscious about the decisions we make and the impact we have on the world around us. Rather than using a plastic bag once, a coffee cup once, a straw once, we need to instead find other solutions… Reusable options. Do you really want to end up being responsible for the death of a sea turtle or a whale because of that plastic bag you decided to use and throw out? No? Ok, then use a reusable shopping bag – that one switch is all it takes to make a difference. Say no to single use plastic, pick up any litter you come across to prevent wildlife from consuming it or being caught up in it and use reusable containers.
   
   
3. Vote for the future you want by being thoughtful about what you do & what you buy.
   What you spend your money on is what you support… Shop carefully. Make sure what you are buying is what you are supporting. Buy ethical products and buy products with less of an environmental impact. Find ways to do less harm and do more good, this can sometimes take some research but once you know what companies to avoid you won’t forget. As an example: if you don’t support animal cruelty then you will want to avoid buying from companies that test on animals and products that contain animal products. 

   

Remember you make a difference, every thing you do has an impact on the world around you so do your best to make sure that impact is a positive one. I know that humans are good, I think we’ve just lost our way a little and we are largely led to believe we cannot make a difference. Trust me, you absolutely can and now is the time to start.

Peace, love and light.

Coexistwithmeg ♥