Today is “Earth Day”– a day we celebrate our earth and the environment that supports us all. And yet I can’t help thinking that this day will hardly register a blip on our attention meter.

But let’s get real.

There’s a problem here and it’s going to need all of us to be part of the solution.

 

The problem…

 

We are awash in chemicals.

In a 2017 report, scientists categorized the earth as a “toxic planet”, stemming from the millions of tons of chemicals that are released into our environment every day.

 

“Industrial toxins are now routinely found in new-born babies, in mother’s milk, in the food chain, in domestic drinking water worldwide. They have been detected from the peak of Mt Everest (where the snow is so polluted it doesn’t meet drinking water standards) to the depths of the oceans, from the hearts of our cities to the remotest islands. Julian Cobb

 

And chemicals are now believed to be the driving force behind the epidemic of chronic illness that is upon us.

 

The epidemic of our time

 

Sixty percent of our population lives with chronic illness: Insomnia, digestive upsets and gut issues, acid reflux, anxiety, depression, fibromyalgia, trouble losing weight, obesity, diabetes, chronic fatigue, brain fog, forgetfulness, cardiovascular disease, acne, psoriasis, and a host of unexplained, weird ailments that no one seems to be able to diagnose.

And every single one of these conditions is now being linked to the onslaught of chemicals that exist in our environment and are virtually impossible to escape.

The body burden of chemicals has become so high that the body’s natural ability to neutralize and expel them has been compromised.

 

The toxic body burden

 

Toxins enter the body through our skin, air, water, food, and technology – cell phones in particular.

They interfere with our normal biological functions.

They feed cancer, diminish our brain function, and short circuit our metabolic and hormonal functions.

They have been linked to Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ADHD, and Autism.

They stress the body, break down our mitochondria (our energy producers), and make it impossible for the body to do what it does best – keep us vital, healthy, and alive.

 

What you can do about it…

 

Diminishing your toxic load will take a little work, but if you’re up to it, here’s one thing you can do to honor Earth Day and the health of the planet.

 

Stop spraying chemicals on your lawn

 

This is my number one environmental pet peeve and one that is so easy to change. Requires only that you live with a few weeds. Simple!

The chemicals that are used to douse our lawns, trees, and gardens are not friendly. They kill things, including the beneficial microorganisms that enrich the soil with nutrients and that we rely on for our survival.

 

“Overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides have effects on the soil organisms that are similar to human overuse of antibiotics. Indiscriminate use of chemicals might work for a few years, but after a while, there aren’t enough beneficial soil organisms to hold onto the nutrients”

 

They affect wildlife, your pets, birds, and you. And they can linger for years, creating a dead zone on your lawn.

I wrote about this last spring, but it’s worth visiting every year as I walk the neighborhood, notice the tiny yellow warning signs, and wonder when we will finally come to realize how our one measly little lawn or mosquito treatment – multiplied by millions and millions across the country – is harming us all.

For tips on how to detox, go to my article here.

And, here are some healthy lawn treatment ideas for you.

 

With love for you and our earth! ♥

 

 

Want to get in touch, talk, ask a question? Email me at elaine@elainepauly.com