Trust AND protect the healing power of nature

One of the guiding principles of naturopathic medicine is "the healing power of nature". When describing it, I used to say "TRUST the healing power of nature." Secretly something irked me about that statement - not because I don't subscribe to it (I really really really do).  I believe in the power of nature so much that I want to protect it, and ensure that everyone will have an opportunity to experience its wisdom. And so today, after some thought during my solo hike , I came up with a new version (TRUST AND PROTECT the healing power of nature!) and the reasoning behind it.

In Greening Your Business: the Hands on Guide to Creating a Successful and Sustainable Business, Daniel Sitarz alerts us that every environmental problem that we face to day as a society has its root cause in a conscious business decision. Owing to that fact that businesses are created and operated by people, I can take this statement further and say that every environmental problem we face today has its root cause in personal AND business decisions. An individual who doesn't recycle at home is not likely to set up a recycling business. An individual who drinks from plastic(yuck!) water bottles, is not likely to invest in a water purification system (mmmm!)for her office. People create businesses that are in line with their personal philosophy on environment.

To make the healing wisdom of nature available to everyone, we, as a society, need to safeguard it from air and water pollution, depletion of natural resources, loss of biodiversity, and use of toxic chemicals. We need to take responsibility for our health, our environment and our sustainability by aligning our personal AND business decisions with nature! 

Well how does one go about making permanent changes that are aligned with nature? A good start is to look at your daily water, energy usage and waste accumulation.

Water efficiency:

Can you wash and rinse dishes in batches by filling your kitchen sink with water?
Can you switch to a 2 flush toilet?

Energy efficiency:

Can you walk, bike or carpool to your destination? 
Can you shop local?
When leaving your home, can you turn off lights, shut down computers, and lower the thermostat?

Waste reduction:

Can you lead a waste-free life? 
Can you minimize your consumption of stuff that has tons of packaging and containers that are not recyclable?
Can you compost, recycle, reuse, donate?

What are some of the things that have helped you to protect nature? Do you have any further recommendations?