HAPPY EARTH DAY!

A magnificent, ancient River Red gum that still stands proud at what was once my childhood home.

I lived in a house opposite this tree from birth to almost 16 years of age. Last week I drove past the property, it is dry and dusty, and they were feeding the sheep. The end of April is lambing season. Tender shoots of new green grass in my years there, would be by now covering the paddocks and each morning on my way to school we would count the new born lambs and look for groups of twins. The mornings then were cold and often the first frosts would cover the ground in a blanket of white. Sadly there is only dust on the paddocks at present. Yesterdays temperature was 20.7C 
Today leaders from 160 countries will officially sign the Paris Climate Agreement on Earth Day 2016. But are we really doing enough?
In a consumer driven world, leaders are not encouraging buying less. We really all need to address how we treat the earth, and do more to help change the future.

Recommendations are 

1. Walk to work, cycle or take public transport
2. Use a reusable coffee cup
3. Make sure you recycle
4. Go paperless
5. Take a tote bag to the shop
6. Plant a tree
7. Go meat or dairy free at least once a week
8. Carry a reusable water bottle
9. Buy local produce