The Starfish

To the one lost starfish (more accurately called a sea star, since she doesn't have gills, scales, or fins) who gets put back in the water, it matters. Known for her ability to regenerate lost arms, the starfish stands out as a symbol of hope for the environmental impact we can make in our own small ways.

Minor but impactful, it could be the piece of trash you pick up while you're out on a routine nature walk -- or biking to work a few days a week instead of driving your car. Perhaps, it's carpooling with a colleague or taking the bus twice a week to reduce your carbon footprint, instead of holding your autonomy so close to your chest.

This segues onto the topic of sharing. Your "starfish" moment might happen when you make a double batch of soup and share it with neighbors, since you bought your veggies in bulk and cooked them in your large stockpot. Or, it might mean sharing veggies, herbs, and fruits from your own garden(s) with a friend or neighbor. Then she might share something of hers -- like her chicken's eggs or her child's gently used sports equipment.

It could be as simple as borrowing a tool or a piece of equipment for an upcoming project instead of buying your own brand new device (which might get used once or twice per year). If you don't have a sewing machine -- but you have a small pile of items that need mending, you could go onto a community forum to see who would be willing to trade their service for something you have to offer. Awkward? Maybe a little strange at first. But as your mindset shifts, you realize it's actually a nice way to slow down and meet people within your local community -- while living more sustainably.

Buying items that are packaged responsibly makes a difference too. But it can feel like an impossible option when the price of everything seems to be on the rise. A good starting goal is to buy half of your items packaged in carboard or paper instead of single-use plastics -- since cardboard breaks down on its own within 15 years, even if it's not properly recycled.

Some examples include a bag of flour (to make more items from scratch), a fresh baguette for your toast or sandwiches, and laundry detergents in cardboard packaging (laundry sheets, powder detergents, or detergent pods in eco-boxes -- preferably ones that aren't individually wrapped in plastic). By shopping at the farmer's market, you can bring your own tote bag and avoid plastic containers and films entirely.

When I notice a rogue starfish during my beach-walks, I always take the time to place her back in the water in a nearby tidepool, where she'll be safe. Not heroic, just thoughtful! That's the mindset we need to embrace as we try to impact change for our beautiful planet. If it feels too big to engage with, just start by making some small changes -- one "starfish" at a time.

Thanks for reading, and please reach out at GreenIdeaLabsCa@gmail.com with comments/questions. Author: Dianne Bright #sustainability #environmentalimpact #GreenIdeaLabs #DianneBright