One of the lenses through which I see environmentalism is motherhood. Here are a few pieces I’ve written on the subject:
It's World Soil Day! What does this mean, and why should we care about soil health? It's a lot more important that you might think! Here, I'm delighted to share with you an interview with @hollyrose.eco. She's an environmentalist, a writer, and a regenerative agriculture advocate from whom I have learned so much since first following her blog and Instagram. If you haven't heard of her or regenerative agriculture before, you're in for a treat! It holds so much promise in the fight against climate change and building resilience.
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To read the interview, please check out the link in my bio. I sincerely hope you enjoy this interview, and I highly recommend following Holly online to learn much, much more.
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I'd love to know: have you heard of regenerative agriculture before? Perhaps you've watched the documentary @thebiggestlittlefarm, know about @kisstheground, or already follow @hollyrose.eco? Do you grow some of your own food or compost your food scraps? 🌿
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📷 courtesy of Holly Rose
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#organic #zerowaste #lesswaste #reducewaste #sustainablefuture #waronwaste #greenhouseemissions #protectourplanet #climateaction #climatechange #environmentalprotection #greenearth #greenplanet #plasticfreeliving #wastefree #noplanetb #ecowarriors #foodsystems #foodwaste #seedbank #noplanetb #vancouverblogger #vancouverinfluencer #discoverunder10k #foodsecurity #foodinsecurity #regenerativeagriculture #regenerativeliving #environmentalist #worldsoilday #soilhealth
How do you get others on board with low-waste gifting? Welcome to the third post of my four-week series supporting Metro Vancouver’s “Create memories, not garbage” holiday campaign! This one is about a tricky problem.
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I get a lot of questions about one particular conundrum when it comes to minimal and low-waste gift giving: what about well-meaning loved ones who just don’t get it? It’s so hard if you have a relative who showers your child with gifts that you just don’t have any space for, especially when you’re concerned with the environmental implications of material gifts. At the same time, you’re grateful for the gesture. What do you do?
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In my blog post (link in bio) I’m sharing my best advice for how to troubleshoot this concern, without hurting anyone’s feelings. I’m also including an email template I often use with family members. ✍🏻 I’d love to hear from you: have you had this experience? How did you handle it, and how did it go over? 💚
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#zerowaste
#zerowastechristmas
#zerowasteholidays
#zerowastefamily
#lowwaste
#lowwastehome
#greenmama
#zerowastefamily
#ecomom
#reducereuserecycle
#noplanetb
#zerowastejourney
#familytraditions
#lowastedecor
#lesswaste
#vancouvermom
#metrovancouver
#creatememoriesnotgarbage
#sustainableliving
#theartofslowliving
#reducewaste
#lesswastelifestyle
#ecofriendlygifts
#wastefree
#wasteless
#ecofriendly
#ecofriendlyliving
#greenchristmas
#zerowasteirl
#lowimpact sponsored
Sitting with my thoughts about the new UN report published last week about climate change. This report is called the Emissions Gap. It measures the gap between what we need to do to tackle climate change and what countries are actually doing. Spoiler alert: the results are big and bad, to no one’s surprise, I’m sure.
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Here are some key points:
🌲Our planet is poised to warm by 3.2 C by 2100 unless climate acton efforts are tripled. Tripled! Basically, we’re not doing anything close to enough. 2100 may seem like it’s far off, but our children may very well see these effects in their lifetimes.
🌲Canada, like most countries, isn’t doing enough. “With current policies in place, Canada will be at least 15 per cent above target.”
🌲Don’t be fooled into thinking that 3.2 C is minor: this will have severe consequences, including extreme poverty, drought, floods, forced mass migration, extinction of many animal and plant species, increased risk of disease, and unimaginable conflict.
🌲It is possible to still close the gap with immediate, concentrated action. According to a CBC news article, "The good news, the authors say, is that technology already exists that could help change our trajectory from 3.2 C. … With that, however, comes a hefty price tag: roughly $1.6 to $3.8 trillion annually over the next decade.” Of course, it’s our only option, and one that we’d better act on now.
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My thoughts on the issue, as always, are strong, and complicated. The low-waste movement is a great place to start but a crappy place to stop (I don’t remember who first said that but if you know, please tell me!). Individual swaps are lovely but we need much, MUCH more at a collective, systemic level. 🚮🗣
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Toiletries! ✨ Does anyone else here love seeing what’s in others’ bathroom drawers? I’ve seen a few people posting photos like this, and for some reason I find them so fun. So I thought I’d join right in!
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We have a small space so the three of us share a bathroom. Therefore some of these products are shared between my husband, son, and I (like the floss and toothpaste) and some are just mine.
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Here’s what I’m using lately! Not sponsored, just a few things I’m liking lately. + regular, plain old washcloths
+ facial serum from in a cardboard tube from @siglarr_viking_naturals_
+ @routinecream deodorant (and you can find this Canadian deodorant company at a lot of refill stores too, so save your old container, yay!)
+ cotton facial “rounds” for removing makeup
+ @burtsbees toothpaste (it’s plastic but I haven’t been able to find Zero Waste fluoride toothpaste)
+ wooden brushes and combs, including my son’s nail brush from @nestpics
+ @kmhtouches flosspot compostable silk floss (I buy the refills for this glass jar)
+ cotton swabs (we haven’t managed to avoid them entirely but we buy the plastic-free ones)
+ @meowmeowtweet lip balm in a cardboard tube
+ jojoba oil in a glass bottle (when it runs out I’m going to refill it from @thesoapdispensary)
What toiletries are you using and loving these days? Which toiletry low-waste swaps have you find easiest, or hardest? 💗
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#lesswaste #reducewaste #zerowastetips #zerowasteblogger #lesswastelifestyle #lowwasteliving #plasticpollution #plasticpollutes #goingzerowaste #zerowastejourney #vancouverblogger #zerowastehome #plasticfree #plasticfreeliving #plasticfreetips #reducereuserecycle #lowimpact #endplasticpollution #vancouverinfluencer #discoverunder10k #zerowasteirl #noplanetb #ecoadvocate #natural #nontoxic #ecolife #refill #zerowastebathroom
Hi everyone! I thought it was probably time to show my face again so here’s a selfie. 🙈Much more importantly, I thought I’d give a little intro for the new faces here, and also chat about what I’ve been up to lately.
Some fast facts about me:
💚 I’m a writer and editor. The majority of my work focuses on sustainability topics, writing magazine articles, blog posts, and even this online content you’re reading right now!
💚 My husband, my son, and I live in a small home just outside of Vancouver, BC. No surprise to anyone here, probably, but motherhood is one lens through which I see environmentalism, so you’ll sometimes see kid-related content here.
💚 It’s almost been a full year of trying to live low-waste! I started this journey as my 2019 New Year’s resolution, and I started this Instagram page in earnest in the spring of 2019.
💚 I went to school for Communications (@sfu) with a minor in Sociology, and later a Master’s in Library Studies (@ubc). 📚
💚 A few of my favourite things are: children’s literature, tea, and staying in and watching movies with my husband. (I never said I was an exciting person.)
💚 On my Instagram page and blog (link in bio) I try to create sustainability content that’s both informative and actionable. On some days, you’ll see easy low-waste tips or DIYs, and on other days I’ll dig into some deeper issues. It’s an approach that works for me, but I always love to hear your thoughts.
On that note, I’d love to hear from you—even if you’ve never left a comment before! What are a few of your favourite things? When did you start your low-waste/environmental journeys (or are you just getting started?) What do you want to see more of on my page? 🤔
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#lesswaste #reducewaste #zerowastetips #zerowasteblogger #lesswastelifestyle #lowwasteliving #plasticpollution #plasticpollutes #goingzerowaste #zerowastejourney #vancouverblogger #zerowastehome #plasticfree #plasticfreeliving #plasticfreetips #reducereuserecycle #lowimpact #endplasticpollution #vancouverinfluencer #discoverunder10k #zerowasteirl #noplanetb #ecoadvocate #natural #nontoxic #ecolife #refill #ecomama
GIVEAWAY! 🎉 You probably know by now how much I love experiences instead of “things” for gift-giving. So you can guess how excited I am to be teaming up with @scienceworldca for a giveaway!
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I’m giving away four General Admission + OMNIMAX Combo tickets to @scienceworldca! The winner will be able to explore their exhibits, visit the Science Theatre, and view one OMNIMAX film during their visit.
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If you’re not familiar with Science World, it’s one of my favourite attractions in all of Vancouver. it’s a perfect day out for families, although I’m not going to lie, it’s so fun for adults too (my husband and I would go there for a date even before we had our son). And of course my son absolutely adores it too!
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This package is valued at $134 CAD. They're 4 adult passes (but of course, the winner can bring children instead).
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Swipe to see some fun times at Science World! Photo credit: Science World, photographer: Jackie Dives.
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To enter:
1️⃣Like this post. ️
2️⃣Follow @leahstellapayne & @scienceworldca
3️⃣Comment and tag a friend who’d love to win. Each comment is an entry.
4️⃣ Bonus entry: share in your stories!
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This contest is open to residents of Canada, and the winner must be able to claim the prize in-person at Science World.
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The contest is in no way affiliated with Instagram. Contest closes in one week: December 5 at 12:00 noon PST. The winner will be chosen at random and will be contacted by Direct Message. If no reply in 24 hours, I’ll move on to a new winner.
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Thanks everyone! Good luck and thanks for your support.
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#vancouverblogger
#vancouverinfluencer
#discoverunder10k
#vancouvermom
#zerowastechristmas
#zerowasteholidays
#zerowastefamily
#lowwaste
#lowwastehome
#greenmama
#zerowastefamily
#ecomom
#sustainableliving
#wastefree
#vancouver
#vancouverisawesome
#ecofriendly
#ecofriendlyfamily
#familytraditions
#experiencesoverthings
#goingzerowaste
#zerowastejourney
#lowimpact
#lowasteliving
#lesswaste
#reducewaste
#wasteless
#ecoadvocate
#noplanetb
#ecolife
