Today on April 22nd, we celebrate Earth Day. A day dedicated to environmental awareness and reducing human impact on the earth while improving sustainability.

There is almost always a connection between past and present and as we have seen “what’s past is prologue”. In this sense history provides us with a way to analyze our behaviors and learn from our mistakes. To truly see the consequences of our actions played out in front of us. When it comes to the environment history has particularly been a useful way for us to understand the consequences of our actions. A powerful, sometimes shocking and emotional way for human beings to realize what we had one day may not always be here to enjoy. This was demonstrated with the popularity of Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth, which examines the global climate change crisis.

“What changed was a feeling that we have entered a period of consequences.” – Al Gore

While researching content for our Earth Day Special Edition I was most interested in reading about how Canada's first conservationists were its native peoples. I was reminded of my time spent in Cambridge Bay and Kugluktuk, Nunavut. Where Inuit Elders have managed to harvest and sustain populations of caribou and musk ox by understanding their value as a precious resources and their importance for future generations.

I had the privilege of seeing the film The End of the Line at the Projecting Change Film Festival in Vancouver recently followed by a discussion with Dr. David Suzuki. I was very moved by the film, a documentary that examines the devastating effect of overfishing in the world. The End of the Line encouraged me to make an easy change in my life while simply being more conscious of the food that I choose to eat. As the Earth Day Canada website says simple actions create big impact. So this brings me to share the five important changes I made in my life over the past year to lesson my impact on the environment. I invite you to share yours.

1. Ask before you buy: only eat sustainable seafood and animal products. Choose local and organic foods that are in season and support local food producers. Farmers markets are great.

2. Live without plastic: use recyclable shopping bags.

3. Choose natural, non-toxic cleaning products. I was amazed at how many safe, environmental cleaning products are readily available. Instead of Windex clean mirrors with vinegar.

4. Ride a bike, take the bus or carpool. Walk whenever you can.

5. Laundry: Wash full loads of clothes in cold water and hang to air dry. Not only is this much more energy efficient, your clothes will last longer and you will save money.