EARTH DAY
5 Reasons Why Adventuring Near Home is Good for the Planet
There are so many benefits to exploring the natural surroundings close to home. In our case as Sacramentans, the Lower American River provides the opportunity for adventure, seasonal escapes, and fresh-air exercise that my family needs to balance our busy lives. It’s personal.
But ALSO, it’s good for the planet! Here are 5 reasons why adventuring close to home is good for Mother Earth:
It reduces your driving (or flying!) time
Choosing to recreate in locally-sourced nature means you’re not driving long distances, which is not only good for your sanity, built excellent for the planet! Take it a step farther, and instead of flying to your next vacation destination, ask yourself if the carbon emission of your flight is justified to the experience you seek. I’m all for travel, I really am! And yet… sometimes the rest, exploration, solitude, or natural surroundings you seek can be satiated closer to home. At least once in a while!
It’s easier to incorporate the kiddos…
Raising the next generation to be fluent in the outdoors is vital to the health of our planet. By incorporating the daily nature experience into our family rhythms, we are teaching kiddos to appreciate nature, which will encourage another generation of environmental stewards.
You are embracing the undertourist in you!
Undertoursim is a term I’ve just learned, but a concept I’ve long supported. The idea is, instead of flocking toward the MOST scenic and well-known spots on the planet (Yosemite, Pt Reyes, Muir Woods…), consider NOT visiting those spaces, to limit our footprint (literally) on the natural landscapes. Choose a second-tier space instead: like your local county parks such as the Lower American River!
It removes you from your gym
Exercising outdoors is emissions free! Gyms use a huge amount of water and energy to keep themselves going. Hopping off the treadmill or swapping your spin class for a walk along the river powers down our technology (and gets some fresh air in your lungs!).
It keeps resources local
One of the best ways we can let our local officials know that we value our natural spaces, is to utilize them! Visit the river, tell others about it, keep it clean, vote for improvements and buy your parks passes.
So in the spirit of shopping locally, or getting your veggies at the farmer’s market… you can ALSO benefit the planet by recreating in locally-sourced nature. Happy Earth Day!
