Faerie Friday - Environmental Awareness

I thought that with our Air Element studies, it would be a good time to connect with the Faeries and see what lessons they have for us each week!  So every Friday (as my hectic life permits) I will draw a card - either from the Healing With The Fairies Oracle Deck by Doreen Virtue, or from The Fey Tarot by Mara Aghem.  For each week's reading I will ask what advice the Fairies have for us; both for myself and for those of us who are following this blog and the Air Element Studies.  This card will give us something we can work on, an area of focus, or some advice to follow for the following week.... from Friday thru next Friday!  Enjoy, and let's see what the Faeries have to teach us!

This week I drew a card from the Healing With The Fairies Oracle Cards by Doreen Virtue.  (Actually, to be more honest, I didn't draw this week's card randomly.  I chose this card because Monday is Earth Day and this week's lessons and assignments will be on Air Pollution!).  

Environmental Awareness
from the "Healing With The Fairies Oracle Deck" by Doreen Virtue, Hay House Inc.
Artwork by Corey Wolfe

Card Meaning: "The fairy kingdom is very concerned with the health of Mother Earth.  By drawing this card, the fairies are recruiting you to become involved in environmental matters.  

You have the power to make a huge impact on our planet.  Earth is a living, breathing being, and the fairies are calling on you to help her.  Your contributions could include recycling, picking up trash while on your nature walk, switching to environmentally friendly cleaning products, getting involved in an environmental protection group, becoming a vegetarian, or educating your children about the fragility of nature.

When you spend time outdoors, mentally ask the fairies for guidance on how to make your special contributions to Mother Earth's well being.  The fairies will give you answers in the form of thoughts or feelings, by arranging a synchronistic opportunity, or by helping you use your unique talents to help educate others about environmental concerns.

Affirmation: "It feels good to nurture my planet with loving care."

~ channeled message from the fairies by Doreen Virtue, in the "Healing With The Fairies Oracle Card Deck" guidebook.

__________________________________________________

Additional Meditation for Healing the Planet Earth

Planet Earth
Affirmation 1; "I love the planet"

Affirmation 2; "I appreciate the beautiful world I live in."

Meditation;

"The earth is a wise and loving mother.  She provides everything we could ever want.  All our needs are taken care of.  There is water, food, air, and companionship.  We have an infinite variety of animals, vegetation, birds, fish, and incredible beauty.  I have committed to lovingly taking care of and improve the quality of life in this world.  I express random acts of kindness whenever I can.  I recycle and compost and organically garden and improve the quality of the soil.  It is my planet, and I help to make it a better place to live.  I spend quiet time every day actively imagining a peaceful planet.  I imagine the possibilities of a clean, healthy environment.  I envision the governments of the world working together to clean the planet.  I see all the people on the planet opening their hearts and minds and working together to create a world where it is safe for us to live in love and harmony with Mother Nature.  It is possible, and it starts with me!"

~ by Louise L. Hay, from "Meditations To Heal Your Life", Hay House Inc.

------------------------------------------------

Need some ideas for getting started and ways you can help the environment?
check these posts;
Clean Air: Things You Can Do While Traveling

Clean Air: Things your can do at Home

Clean Air: Earth Day Ideas For Kids

Clean Air! Things You Can Do While Traveling

Ways to Reduce Air Pollution

From -  http://www.epa.gov/oar/oaqps/peg_caa/reduce.html

Drive Wise

Plan your trips. Save gasoline and reduce air pollution.

·         Keep tires properly inflated and aligned.

·         In the summertime, fill gas tank during cooler evening hours to cut down on evaporation. Avoid spilling gas and don't "top off" the tank. Replace gas tank cap tightly.

·         Avoid waiting in long drive-thru lines, for example, at fast-food restaurants or banks. Park your car and go in.

·         When possible, use public transportation, walk, or ride a bike.

·         Get regular engine tune ups and car maintenance checks (especially for the spark plugs).

·         Use an energy-conserving (EC) grade motor oil.

·         Ask your employer to consider flexible work schedules or telecommuting.

·         Report smoking vehicles to your local air agency.

·         Join a carpool or vanpool to get to work.

-----------------------------------------------

From - http://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/air/tsb/ams/aqmdp/share.htm

Every time we drive to school, use our heater or air conditioner, clean our windows, or even style our hair, we make choices that affect air pollution. These steps, as well as many others, are things we all can do to help reduce air pollution.

• 
  
• 
  
• Limit driving by carpooling, using public transportation, biking and walking.
• Combine errands for fewer trips.
• Keep your automobile well tuned and maintained. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on routine maintenance, such as changing the oil and filters, and checking tire pressure and wheel alignment.
• Avoid excessive idling of your automobile.
• Use gasoline stations that have special vapor recovery nozzles.
• Be careful not to spill gasoline when filling up your car or gasoline powered lawn and garden equipment.
• Use water-based or solvent free paints whenever possible and buy products that say "low VOC".
• Purchase and use low-polluting outboard marine engines and personal watercraft (4-stroke and direct fuel injection 2-stroke outboard marine engines).
• Advocate for emission reductions from power plants and more stringent national vehicle emission standards.

For more information, contact the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, Air Resources Division at (603) 271-1370.

From National Geographic; http://greenliving.nationalgeographic.com/5-easy-steps-reduce-air-pollution-2634.html

Reduce the amount of time you spend in the car. Carpool or use public transportation whenever you can. For shorter distances, walk or ride your bike to do errands. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, changing to carpooling can save a person over $1,000 per year. If you avoid driving alone only one day every week for a year, you can save hundreds of dollars in expenses, not to mention the wear and tear on your car. When you must drive, refill your gas tank during colder times of the day and avoid spilling gas to prevent evaporation into the atmosphere. (See References 2)

Improve your fuel economy. According to the EPA, a 1 percent increase in fuel economy equals a 1 percent decrease in carbon dioxide emissions (see References 1). Avoid accelerating quickly, braking hard and driving at high speeds, particularly when in heavy traffic. Remove excess weight from your car and remove unused roof racks or bike carriers, which cause drag.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Clean Air! Things You Can Do At Home

Ways to Reduce Air Pollution

Ways you can help reduce Air Pollution from your home!

From Environmental Protection Agency;

We make choices everyday that can help reduce air pollution. Below are a few ideas that you can take to help clean our air.

At Home

·         Conserve energy - turn off appliances and lights when you leave the room.

·         Recycle paper, plastic, glass bottles, cardboard, and aluminum cans. (This conserves energy and reduces production emissions.)

·         Keep woodstoves and fireplaces well maintained. You should also consider replacing old wood stoves with EPA-certified models. Visit www.epa.gov/woodstoves.

·         Plant deciduous trees in locations around your home to provide shade in the summer, but to allow light in the winter.

·         Buy green electricity-produced by low-or even zero-pollution facilities.

·         Connect your outdoor lights to a timer or use solar lighting.

·         Wash clothes with warm or cold water instead of hot.

·         Lower the thermostat on your water heater to 120F.

·         Use low-VOC or water-based paints, stains, finishes, and paint strippers.

·         Test your home for radon-a dangerous, radioactive gas that is odorless and tasteless. If the test shows elevated levels of radon, the problem can be fixed cost effectively. Visit www.epa.gov/radon.

·         Choose not to smoke in your home, especially if you have children. If you or your visitors must smoke, then smoke outside. Visit www.epa.gov/smokefree.

Buy Smart

·         Buy ENERGY STAR products, including energy efficient lighting and appliances. They are environmentally friendly products. For more information, visit www.energystar.gov or call 1-888-STAR-YES.

·         Choose efficient, low-polluting models of vehicles. Visit www.epa.gov/greenvehicles.

·         Choose products that have less packaging and are reusable.

·         Shop with a canvas bag instead of using paper and plastic bags.

·         Buy rechargeable batteries for devices used frequently.

(From -  http://www.epa.gov/oar/oaqps/peg_caa/reduce.html ) 

From National Geographic;

Step 1:
 Save energy around the house. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, saving energy can reduce carbon emissions. Because most energy sources require burning fossil fuels, the less energy you use, the greener you are. Set your appliances and lights on a timer to turn off after a certain period of inactivity. Use compact fluorescent bulbs instead of standard light bulbs, and use your microwave instead of the oven to heat small items.

Step 2:

Manage your heating and cooling. Turn your thermostat down in the winter and up in the summer whenever you are at work, sleeping or on vacation. You can also turn your water heater down to 120 degrees to save power. Make sure your insulation is up to the recommended level for your area, and insulate pipes that pass through unheated spaces. Check to see that your windows and doors are not leaking warm or cool air. To make sure your furnace and air conditioners are running efficiently, perform regular maintenance.

Step 3:

Cut back on the amount of packaging you purchase and the amount of household waste you produce. The process of manufacturing packaging releases harmful emissions into the atmosphere, so patronize brands that use as little packaging as possible. Recycle everything you can: aluminum, paper, glass, plastic and cardboard are usually easy to recycle. When you are disposing of chemical-based substances like paint, batteries, pesticides or solvents, check with your local waste management office for a safe, eco-friendly method.

(from From National Geographic; http://greenliving.nationalgeographic.com/5-easy-steps-reduce-air-pollution-2634.html ) 

--------------------------------------------------------------------

From European Environmental Agency;

Go for local produce!Transporting goods from one side of the world to the other generates a lot more air pollution than transporting them short distances. Try to buy locally produced goods and eat local foods that are in season: transporting and producing them doesn’t generate as much air pollution.

Save electricity!

Don't leave your electronic devices - TV sets, computers, DVD's - on stand-by mode. Switch them off completely and you will save about 10 % of your electricity bill. Buy energy-saving light bulbs and "A"-labelled household appliances. Less electricity consumed means less power produced and fewer pollutants into the air from burning of fossil fuels.  You can further save energy and reduce your carbon footprint by unplugging electronic devices when they are not being used.  Even when they are turned off they still use energy if they are plugged in! 

(From European Environment Agency - http://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/air/air-quality/more-about-air-pollutants/ozone-1/whatcanIdo/avoid-ozone-pollution ) 

Clean Air! Earth Day Ideas (for Kids)

Clean Air - What Can I do to help?
I found this wonderful article at Clean Air Kids 

What can you do:

There are many things we can do to help reduce air pollution and global warming.

Use buses and trains instead of cars, as they can carry a lot more people in one journey. This cuts down the amount of pollution produced.

Walking or cycling whenever you can will be even better, as it does not create any pollution. It will also be good for your body, as regular exercise will keep you fit and healthy.

If your parents must use the car, ask them to avoid using it for very short journeys if possible, as this creates unnecessary pollution. Try to encourage them to share their journeys with other people, for example when they go to work or go shopping. Also encourage them to drive more slowly as this produces less pollution and less carbon dioxide.

Energy is produced to generate electricity and to keep us warm. Most energy is produced by the burning of fossil fuels, like coal, oil and gas, which release carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. Fuel burnt in our cars also releases carbon dioxide. As an individual, you do not have a lot of control on how your energy is produced. However, you can control the way in which you use that energy. Using less energy means less of it needs to be produced. So less carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere.

We can also help prevent pollution from our own homes which may contribute to acid rain and poor air quality, and increases emissions of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Turning off lights when they are not needed and not wasting electricity will reduce the demand for energy. Less electricity will need to be produced and so less coal, oil and gas will have to be burnt in power stations, which means less air pollution and less carbon dioxide!

Pollution formed indoors can be reduced by ensuring that all gas appliances are working correctly. Good ventilation will improve indoor air quality by dispersing biological pollutants like dust mite, and other pollutants such as cigarette smoke.

Most of the rubbish we throw away can be recycled, such as glass bottles and jars, steel and aluminium cans, plastic bottles and waste paper.

Recycling used materials uses less energy than making new ones.

Composting fruit and vegetable waste reduces the amount of rubbish buried at rubbish dumps.

What are the Governments doing?

Governments throughout the world have already taken action for these different environmental problems (i.e. Acid Rain, Air Quality, Ozone Hole, Global Warming). In their plans they hope to reduce the amount of emissions of greenhouse gases produced by man.

About half of the greenhouse effect is caused by our use of energy, especially from fossil fuels. Other sources of energy could be used which do not emit carbon dioxide, e.g. wind power, solar (sun power) and wave power. In the home and at school, we must learn to use energy efficiently and not waste it.

Go to the recycling waste and how to make recycled paper exercises.......

There are also lots more games and puzzles to play on this site to help you learn about being kind to out planet's air....

 From Clean Air Kids; http://www.clean-air-kids.org.uk/doingyourbit.html