By Greg Insco
Ah, April! Spring is in the air! (Well, hopefully it is for our northern friends by now.) With climate change, it seems to be more challenging to predict the seasons of change. But as we celebrate Earth Day, it’s important to advocate to protect Mother Earth. Future generations are depending on it.
With the recent rebranding of Paradise, we lead with our hearts and are committed to our Core Values: Community, Care, Culture, Communication and Curiosity. The “5 Cs” are part of the big picture for us as we steward lives and communities forward by being A Partner for Good. In today’s world, where the impact of our actions on the planet are more important than ever, it’s crucial for any business — even an advertising, public relations and marketing firm like ours — to align their values with sustainable practices.
While we should live everyday as if it were Earth Day, the day itself heightens the importance for global connectivity on this little blue planet we all call home. Neil deGrasse Tyson stated the obvious when he said “If every day were Earth Day, we wouldn’t be in the mess we’re in.” So, maybe we should begin to treat every day as if it were Earth Day by setting goals and forming good habits.
You might ask yourself, “Am I making a big enough impact by filling my recycle bin up every week? What else could I do to have more of an impact on improving the quality of our environment? How can I live a more sustainable life?” These are questions that may come up for you as an individual within your community, or as part of a much larger consideration as a business. There are several sustainability strategies that can pertain to you as an individual or as a leader within your business. For example, cutting back on food waste and maintaining water stewardship are more likely personal goals to work on within your own homestead. Sustainable sourcing of goods and packaging, along with a commitment to employee wellbeing, are sustainability strategies better suited for the corporate world.
Personally, I look around my home and see the different ways that my family strives to live more sustainably. While they may be small things, they still make a difference. I can see other ways that we could improve the footprint we are leaving behind or what other organizations we could assist with their sustainability efforts. For example, the thought of starting a community garden in my neighborhood seems like it could be hugely beneficial for many reasons. However, the logistics for this endeavor may seem a bit out of reach for my family given the dynamics of our neighborhood. But it has been successful for many other communities.
When community gardens are not available in your area and you are not up to the challenge of spearheading a new community garden project, backyard gardening is a great option. Gardening can bring families and communities together, and it has become a great passion for me and my family. My parents describe me as “the one with the green thumb” and I’m happy to see this passed on to my son. He has grown many of the trees, plants, flowers, vegetables and fruits in our own yard from seed. As he enters high school next year, he has his eyes set on studying horticulture — a dream of his since he first got his hands into the dirt as little gardener.
I like to think that my son is representative of a new generation of change makers in the world that can inspire us all to do our part in creating a better future. How proud I was to hear that my son received a special acknowledgement passed on from a customer to management at his new job — for simply picking up litter in the parking lot. Little acts like this can make a difference when we all get in the habit of it. As Bill Nye has said, “To leave the world better than you found it, sometimes you have to pick up other people’s trash.”
The goals we set or habits we form as individuals and businesses can and will make a positive impact within our communities. As a partner focused on promoting tourism, Paradise has the power to shape narratives and influence consumer behavior. By adopting responsible and sustainable practices while keeping a keen eye on social inclusion, environmental conservation, and community welfare, we believe we can create a positive impact. We see the opportunity to shape a better future — one where tourism serves as a catalyst for positive change for our communities and our planet.
So this Earth Day (and every day), make it a Good Day. Stop and smell the flowers, form a new habit, join an environmental initiative and look forward to a brighter and better tomorrow.
