Will it be good for the environment?
In Rotary year 2017-2018 we added a question to ask ourselves - ‘Is it good for the environment?’
This brought our club’s thinking in line with the Rotary International’s President for 2017-2018 Ian H.S. Riseley’s concern for the environment.
RI President Riseley encouraged each member to plant a tree to assist our planet.
Rotary also added a seventh area of service ‘Environment’ to those of...
Basic education and literacy
Maternal and child health
Peace and conflict prevention/resolution
Disease prevention & treatment
Water sanitation & hygiene
Community & economic development
Support the environment
https://www.rotary.org/en/supporting-environment-becomes-new-area-focus
Each time we plan an event, cook a sausage or use a plate, we ask ourselves ‘Is it good for the environment?
Can we use biodegradable plates/boxes? YES.
Are our serviettes from sustainable forests YES.
Are our sausages gluten free to minimise wastage and enable more people to choose them? YES.
Do we look for opportunities to reuse, reduce, recycle? YES.
What do we recycle? Used rope, ring pulls, empty pill blister packs, plastic bread tags? YES!
What else can we do to care for our planet? We are a member of ‘Trees for life’ and grow seedlings for farmers to revegetate after fires or floods.
We have received a grant to establish a 'Community Garden' at Rotary Hall in Christies Beach to reduce food miles and enable locals to pick fresh produce.
Several of our members belong to garden clubs, share plants and advise others of good gardening practices.
By purchasing locally grown produce, including local honey, and local eggs or growing our own fruit and veg we reduce the ‘food miles’ and save fuel.
By actively thinking of our impact on the environment we are being good Rotarians.