A news article this week discussed a child’s lost balloon that had floated 500 miles down a river before being found and returned to the owner.  This is but one example of how items such as balloons and litter can affect ecology and the environment far from the area of origin.  Balloons, specifically, are an issue for two reasons: 1) their potential to become outdoor trash which can endanger wildlife; and 2) because many people fill balloons with helium, which is a scarce resource.   Consider choosing something other than balloons for parties and celebrations. 

, Insects are a very important part of the earth’s ecology and provide food for amphibians, birds, many mammals, and fish.  Insects are also pollinators for many plants that are vital for humans and other creatures.  Without insects, much of the beautiful world we are used to could not exist.  Per the US Department of Agriculture website, “less than 1 percent of insect species are considered harmful.” However, in many areas, people have become accustomed to thinking all insects are either annoying pests or threats to crops or human health.  Pesticide use has become commonplace, and many pesticides indiscriminately harm insects other than the intended target species.  Pesticides sometimes also kill birds or other creatures that might eat the dead insects.  The earth needs insects, and most insects are useful even if we don’t see it.  Some insects can damage crops, cause serious disease, or cause unhealthful conditions inside a home (cockroaches and poisonous spiders do not belong in the house!) and so must be removed from specific locations.  Here are some ideas for controlling harmful insects while allowing the good insects to continue providing benefits. 

• Don’t spray an entire area with a potent pesticide that will kill a large variety of insects.  If you do need to spray with a pesticide, do some research to choose the least toxic spray, and if possible, one specific to the type of insect you are targeting.  Spray only the specific area with a problem insect, and only as often as necessary.
• Look for non-chemical ways to control insects that are in places you don’t want them.  For example, ladybugs eat aphids.  Integrated Pest Management information can help you find biological, mechanical, or other targeted ways to control a particular undesirable insect.  Here is a website to get you started.  https://www.usda.gov/peoples-garden/gardening-advice/ipm
• Per the US Department of Agriculture, “an extremely efficient and cost-effective way to control pests is to provide habitat for beneficial insects, bats and birds.”  
• Keep food in sealed containers.  Standing water is a perfect place for mosquitos to breed so check your yard and remove items that might collect and retain water. 

A recent article from the BBC includes information on the amount of resources used (and wasted) by the “fast fashion” industry.  The article says “If things don't change fast, the fashion industry could use a quarter of the world’s remaining global carbon budget to keep warming under 2C by 2050, and use 35% more land to produce fibres by 2030.”  The article then proposes a “wellbeing wardrobe”, which means buying fewer clothes, buying clothing designed to last longer, and recycling clothing at the end of its life.  A separate article (link below) provides a lot of good details on the environmental impacts associated with various types of clothing and suggests ways to reduce those impacts.  Here are a few highlights:

• Buy fewer items of clothing, and buy clothing that is designed to last
• Repair clothing when possible
• Find ways to recycle or repurpose clothing when it can no longer be worn
• When shopping online, order only what you intend to keep.  Many returned items are disposed rather than re-sold. 

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200310-sustainable-fashion-how-to-buy-clothes-good-for-the-climate