Amersham and Chalfonts Together January February 2023

JOURNALIST
New Year -
New Planet
How do we see the world? With the
global climate crisis threatening our
environment and destroying everything
we know and love, the world seems
an unstable and dangerous place. Perhaps
the greatest positive change we could
make for a healthier and more harmonious
relationship with our planet is to change
our attitude.
Instead of seeing Mother Earth as a lifeless
stock of resources which we can deplete,
see our planet as the source of all life, as
a shared responsibility - and a shared
wonder. Around the world, people have
united in realising the pattern of consumerism
we have established is damaging health:
new clothes, new technology, new material
possessions and more extravagant lifestyles
have fuelled the belief that nature is at our
disposal. This is prevalent in all forms of
media such as television, social media and
the internet, further distancing us from the
mother Earth that continues to provide for us.
We are suffering from the disconnect.
Physically, we are suffering from the lower
air, water and food quality resulting from the
distress we have put global ecosystems and
biodiversity under. The increase in mental
health issues is also partly caused by
materialistic achievements that fail to
recognise the natural bliss and contentment
found in nature.
Sometimes prescribing pills to suppress
symptoms may seem an easier option
that arises from having a hectic lifestyle.
Instead the prescription of a more natural
approach and more of a connection with
mother nature would be more beneficial.
The benefits of being in nature for even a
five minute walk are so great that we could
be living more in harmony with nature, for our
own health and ultimately, the planet’s. When
we love something, we protect it.
One of the most important things we could
do, is reduce our waste. Food waste is
anaerobically digested to be used as fertiliser
and generate electricity. Over 50% of the
waste we produced is reused and the rest is
transported to the Greatmoor Energy from
Waste Facility. We send less than 0.1% of our
waste to landfill which is one of the best rates
in the country; however we can always do
more. And we must.
Let’s make it our mission in 2023 to
reconnect ourselves to nature and do all we
can to protect it. We can reduce, reuse and
recycle. We can eat more plant-based and
British foods to reduce carbon emissions
caused by food transport. As well as focusing
on ‘new year new me’, focus on: new year,
new planet.
Sanchi is a student in Little Chalfont.
The three things she loves most are
nature, people and writing. Uniting
these, she aims to create a brighter,
greener world!
Sanchi
To advertise please call 07786 735 711 or email marketing@amershamtogether.co.uk 27