Wow, I just listened to an awesome TED talk about how to get people engaged in solving climate change.  The speaker discusses the psychology of why people are not engaged in finding solutions, and then the psychology of how to re-frame discussions on climate and potential solutions to climate change.  His information makes a lot of sense to me and also inspires me to continue to do better.  Please watch the whole video at the link below. 

https://www.ted.com/talks/per_espen_stoknes_how_to_transform_apocalypse_fatigue_into_action_on_global_warming
 

Owner’s manuals and instructions are written to provide us information on the best way to use a product.  It is very easy, and human, to toss the instructions and manuals aside if we can intuitively understand what to do.  However, frequently, those instructions and manuals provide information to help us use the item more sustainably.  Take a few minutes to look at the instructions, even if you are sure you know how to operate or use the item.  Here are a few examples of information you can get from instructions:

• How to turn off the heated drying cycle on a dishwasher and let the dishes air dry; also, when to use various settings and how to maintain the dishwasher so it effectively cleans the dishes and lasts for many years
• How to turn on power saver options or sleep mode to reduce the energy used when the item is not in use
• How to discard, dispose of, or recycle unwanted items (prescription drugs, toxic chemicals, batteries, electronics, etc.) to minimize environmental impacts 
• How to maintain your possessions so they last longer and operate effectively.  Proper maintenance can significantly extend the life of an item.
• How to properly assemble and install items, for safety as well as effective operation of an item
• How to store items to minimize damage.  For example, remove alkaline batteries from items you won’t use for a while, so the batteries don’t corrode and ruin the item. 
• How much laundry soap to use so your clothes get clean but you don’t waste soap by using more than you need; how to properly launder an item of clothing to extend its life
  

Many people are exploring moving toward a more plant-based diet.  Some are replacing a few meat-based dishes a week with plant-based alternatives, while others consume a fully vegan diet.  Most of the information I have read recently focuses on the environmental impacts of various protein sources.  However, there are nutritional aspects to consider as well if you are considering a plant-based diet.  All protein sources are not nutritionally equal and good health depends on understanding the nutrients contributed by various protein sources.  As the attached article discusses, there are nine essential amino acids that our bodies need but cannot manufacture.  Animal-based protein sources are considered “whole proteins” because they provide all nine essential amino acids.  Nearly all plant-based protein sources lack one or more of the essential amino acids, but each plant has a different amino acid profile.  You should eat a variety of plant-based protein sources to help ensure you get the amino acids, vitamins, and minerals you need. I will discuss environmental impacts of various plant-based proteins in another post, but the link below will get you started on understanding the combinations of foods that will keep you healthy. 
 
https://www.webmd.com/diet/difference-between-animal-protein-plant-protein