Planet Earth doesn’t exactly have a birthday but every year on April 22, we celebrate Earth Day. A special day to take time to appreciate the land, air, oceans and wildlife that sustain us and to think about how our lives both individually and as a group affect the environment. Bali’s environment has felt the effects of tourism and we can all do small things to honor this special day and act more sustainably. From saying no to plastic bags and choosing to stay in environmentally responsible villas. Here are some examples on how we can support Bali to maintain its status as paradise on earth.
Bye Bye Plastic Bags
Sisters Melati and Isabel Wijsen are on a mission to stop plastic bags from suffocating Bali. It takes at least 500 years for 1 plastic bag to break down. Most end up in the ocean, where they pollute the water and harm marine life; the rest are burned in garbage piles, where they release harmful dioxins into the atmosphere. In 2013, the two sisters, who attend the environmentally minded Green School, launched the campaign Bye Bye Plastic Bags. From participating in beach clean ups, going on a hunger strike and creating petitions, nothing was going to stop these two young sisters. They also delivered a TED talk in which they explain how action had to be taken in order to protect their island from plastic pollution. And all their hard work paid-off when they convinced Governor Pastika to commit to a plastic bag-free Bali by 2018.
Invest in sustainable travel accessories/products
- Reusable tote bags
We’ve just mentioned Bali’s arch nemesis, the ubiquitous plastic bag. Any reusable bag made from canvas, cloth or recycled materials will do! You can’t go wrong with these colorful and multi-purpose bags from Baggu.
- Water bottles
A reusable water bottle will save you so much money on pre-bottled water and reduces waste. Our friends at Bottles for Earth have some cool designed bottles.
- Bamboo or glass straw
Straws are handed out like candy at a confectioners convention. Whether you are about to order a cocktail or a fresh coconut, you can wave away the plastic and BYO straw. Shop online for these elegant certified organic bamboo straws from Bambu or if you prefer to buy local grab some BeOrganic glass straws (with their own hand-stitched cases and a special brush to clean them with) from Bali Buda shops.
- Chemical-free sunscreens
There are many sunscreens – including popular brands – that contain the chemical oxybenzone (used in more than 3,500 sunscreen products worldwide) that kill coral reefs and cause bleaching. Every year, approximately 14,000 tons of sunscreen ends up in coral reefs worldwide. Be responsible and choose non-harmful products to conserve our beautiful ocean! Like Thank Me Later natural sunscreens which are made in Bali, are non-greasy and use tubes made of recycled plastic. What’s not to love! Great to use while on holidays and also great for everyday use!
Stay in an eco-friendly villa
Tourism can be profitable and sustainable at the same time. A growing number of villa owners are now minimizing their environmental impact by implementing various combinations of water management systems, solar panels and composting practices for a low-impact stay.
The owners of Villa Hansa are dedicated to minimizing their ecological footprint by using only biodegrable household cleaners and practicing recycling in the kitchen. The food prepared is predominately organic, fresh and locally sourced. They have also set up a trust fund, the Hansa Foundation to educate local children in traditional culture, arts, music and the environment.
Practice Vegan eating
Or, if that’s too extreme, try to reduce your meat and dairy consumption. Environmental documentaries such as Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret highlight the benefit of plant-based food production which uses significantly less land and water than animal farming and animal agriculture. Bali is a food mecca and offers loads of healthy, tasty vegetarian, vegan or even raw eats.
We would love to hear what your plans are for Earth Day 2016 in the comments section!
