15 things a family can do against the climate crisis

In this latest exhortation, Laudate Deum, which is born from the urgency of doing something to protect the Earth, Pope Francis reminds us that the climate crisis is a reality of which we must not only become aware but also get involved. We have heard a lot of data, scientific reports and news, but just few people “get on the road.” We are united to the creatures of the world thanks to the Love of God. It is not just a political issue, we must accept the historical situation we are experiencing and be active subjects in change.

What can we do in our families to promote this change?

I propose 15 easy ideas that I have implemented in my family:

1. When purchasing, always choose local and seasonal products. They are more expensive, but they are worth it. Avoid processed products. In the kitchen, it is better to make cooked or steamed food than fried.
2. Reduce cleaning products: Bleach, baking soda, ammonia, lemon juice and vinegar work wonders. Please, in this case, never mix bleach and ammonia. Find out before mixing anything.
3. Consider vegetarianism, or at least reducing the amount of protein you eat, especially meat and farmed fish.
4. Separate, classify, recycle. Bring garbage containers into your home for paper, plastics, organics, used oils and batteries.
5. Choose other options before sprays. For example for creams, anti-mosquitoes or air fresheners.
6. Change the light bulbs in your house to LED bulbs and turn off the light when you are not using it.
7. If you can, install renewable energy sources.
8. Avoid buying plastics. Plastic is not biodegradable and is one of the materials that has the most negative effects on the environment. Replace plastic bags, bottles or containers with others made of another biodegradable material. Always choose to buy in bulk in a bag that you bring from home.
9. Adjust the heating or air conditioning thermostat to temperatures between 19 and 22 degrees.
10. Save water. Turn off the faucet while you wash, showering is better than bathing, or install a dual flush device on the cistern.
11. Buy plants! If you dare, plant an urban garden.
12. Choose to have a picnic before going to a fast food restaurant.
13. Let us educate children not to pluck leaves or flowers; to not throw garbage on the ground and to leave places better than they were before we arrived. Let's teach them to look around, to admire nature and awaken in them the desire to take care of it.
14. Plant a tree. Or two. Or three…
15. Organize a cleaning day in an area of your town with your family or a group of friends.

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Can you imagine what we could do together?