a Climate Change Action Challenge

St. Alphonsus' SSVP Conference in Peterborough is participating in a "Climate Change Action Challenge". Each member was asked to choose one climate change action, to try for the year 2020, from a list provided by the Social Justice Rep. Regular discussions will take place throughout the year to see how everyone is doing. The goal is to have everyone make at least one lifelong lifestyle change to help combat climate change. At the end of the year, we will celebrate our successes.

We are sending out a challenge to other SSVP conferences. Are you ready to do your part to combat climate change and save the planet? WE DARE YOU! Don’t forget to share your trials and triumphs on the ssvp.on.ca website.

Climate Change Actions

1. DO NOT USE PLASTIC BAGS! Many stores now sell bamboo meshed, washable, reusable produce bags and cloth shopping bags.
2. Shop at the farmer’s market for local, fresh, organic produce and homemade products in reusable containers. Bring your own bags.
3. To avoid plastic containers, get recipes on line on how to make deodorant, shampoo, hand sanitizer, toothpaste, cleaners, etc. In some stores you can bring your own containers to fill up with dish soap & laundry soap. You can now buy washing sheets (like dryer sheets). Throw a sheet, that has the laundry soap embedded in it, into the washing machine. One sheet/load, 32 sheets/box, about $13.00 + tax/box.
4. Use reusable, long lasting metal lunch containers. They cost more but it is a healthier choice. Plastic breaks down over time and the chemicals leach into your food.
5. DO NOT BUY WATER IN DISPOSABLE BOTTLES! Most bottled water is municipal tap water anyway and there are chemicals in the plastic that leach into the water. That’s why some plastic baby bottles were banned. Bring a reusable water bottle with you at all times.
6. Shop at the bulk store and bring your own containers.
7. Buy meat and fish at the butcher’s and have them put it in your own containers.
8. Buy cheese off the block and ask them to put it in your container.
9. Go on line to get recipes on how to make your own crackers, cookies, bread, granola cereal, etc. to avoid excess packaging.
10. Instead of using Kleenex, go back to using hankies.
11. Keep a bag in the car for: containers for leftovers when eating out, travel mugs, cutlery, plates & a reusable coffee cup lid for when you forget your travel mug. Recycle the coffee cup if your community accepts them in the blue box.
12. At the restaurant, inform the waiter/waitress that you don’t want a straw before they bring you some water. Reusable straws can be purchased at many stores and slide easily into a purse or backpack.
13. Purchase a reusable bamboo cutlery set in a handy travel pouch to carry with you when you eat at fast food restaurants, conferences, workshops, meetings, etc.
14. Take a sailor shower. Get wet, turn off water, soap up, turn on water to rinse off.
15. Buy bars of soap with no packaging at a health food store or one that sells environmentally friendly products.
16. Buy a metal razor that will last forever instead of disposable ones.
17. Don’t idle your car.
18. Purchase an electric car for your next vehicle.
19. DON’T BE SHY! If you see something that bothers you, SPEAK UP! For example, ask the restaurant manager if he/she would consider banning straws because scientists have found sea turtles with straws up their nostrils.
20. GET INVOLVED with groups trying to combat climate change.
21. Share your climate change actions with others.
22. Write letters to voice your concerns and opinions and sign petitions.
23. Add your own climate change action! _________________________________

This list was produced by Lynn-Marie Gallant-Whipp, the SSVP Social Justice Rep for St. Alphonsus Conference in Peterborough. The climate change actions are based on the lifestyle changes she and her husband have made over the years. They have made a considerable reduction in the amount of waste they put out at the curb. The only action they have not completed on the list is the purchase of an electric car. It is on their "bucket list".

---

RECIPE

Hand Sanitizer
Mix aloe vera gel, rubbing alcohol in bowl. Add
1 tsp rubbing alcohol
10 drops of tea tree oil along with any other
1/4 cup aloe vera gel oil.
Pour into containers.
10 drops tea tree essential oil
Other essential oils if you like smell
Containers