Love the Earth this Valentines Day
An Eco-Friendly Valentines Day
Valentine’s Day is Sunday, and I’d say it’s safe to assume that some of us still haven’t bought our partner’s gift yet. Of which, I have time to say my part on how to have a sustainable Valentine’s Day celebration. Today, we will cover the stereotypical gifts that people tend to exchange for the holiday, and their environmental and social impact.
Flowers:
Nearly 80% of the cut roses in the United States are transported from South America. The flowers have to be kept in temperature-controlled boxes, and trucked or flown across the continent. Refrigeration receptacles cause vehicles to burn more fuel. This results in a significant amount of CO2 produced -- which contributes to global warming. According to FlowerPetal.com, Valentines Day brings in approximately 10 million roses which results in 9,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for the single holiday.
Also, since flowers are not typically a consumable crop, they have less regulations for pesticide, herbicide, and fertilizer application. As a result, flower farms tend to use more hazardous and a larger amount of chemicals on their crops. Not only do these agrochemicals negatively impact the health of on-site employees, but the organisms in the surrounding environment, and the person who receives the flowers. For people, these chemicals can cause allergic reactions, headaches, and in serious cases, cancer. For the surrounding environment, these chemicals cause groundwater contamination, poor air quality, eutrophication in streams, and a decrease in biodiversity of plants, insects, animals, and other organisms.
Try to find flowers that have certifications. This proves that the farmers follow conscious practices to protect people and the environment.
How do we sustainably give the gift of a dozen roses? Look for “Florverde”-, “organic”-, “Fair-Trade”-, “Sustainable”- certified flowers when making your purchase. These certifications prove that farmers are fulfilling eco-friendly practices such as energy and water conservation, environmentally sensitive waste control, minimal pesticide application, etc. Additionally, buying flowers from local flower farms can help by improving the local economy, lowering energy use, supporting native plant species, and limiting harsh agrochemical use. By purchasing eco friendly flowers, you can be assured that you are giving a thoughtful Valentine’s Day gift! Peek the links below to find where you can order eco-friendly flowers.
Jewelry:
Not all gems are as violently sought after as they are in the movie Blood Diamond. However, the metals, minerals, and gems that are used to make jewelry come at a cost. Most of these minerals are mined in developing countries which poses both environmental and social concerns.
Mining alone can be catastrophic to the environment. Webster’s Dictionary defines mining as “a pit or excavation in the earth from which mineral substances are taken”. Mining requires harsh chemicals and large machinery to extract elements from the earth. Oftentimes, the chemicals leach into the surrounding environment, causing water, air, and soil pollution. The large machines are used for the destruction of earth, trees, and lakes. This results in a large hollow pit in the ground which is unsafe to be around during and after mining is complete. Additionally, the large machinery burns excessive amounts of fossil fuels and are performing day and night. This leads to high production of air pollution and greenhouse gases on-site -- contributing to global warming.
Mining can be devastating to the environment, those who work in mining, and people who live near the mining site.
Socioeconomically, mining normally takes place near low-income areas in developing countries. This leads to child labor, poor compensation, and a lack of personal protective equipment to keep workers safe and healthy. More people die in the mining industry than any other industry in the world. At least 15,000 people die in mining every year. If not killed directly in a mining accident, it is common to experience health issues related to mining: respiratory complications, high level toxicity poisoning, and mental deficiencies due to chemical exposure.
When searching for jewelry to buy for your loved one, try to look for vintage items or pieces that are noted as “sustainably sourced” or “ethically sourced”. Buying vintage limits environmental pollution caused by the demand for new materials to be mined and processed. Most of the time, ethical jewelry companies provide the consumer with transparency and assurance that people working in the sourcing process were working in safe conditions and were well compensated for. Vintage and eco friendly pieces are very easy to find. Check out a few stores listed below to find the right gift for yourself or your honey!
Chocolates:
Americans consume 58 million pounds of chocolate during the week of Valentines Day. That’s a lot of chocolate, and I am undeniably a contributor to this number. Chocolate is fantastic whether you are buying a gift for someone or eating it solo. Of course, eating chocolate comes at a larger cost than the regretful calorie intake -- deforestation of forests, child labor, and unfair pay.
People’s love for chocolate forced plantations to grow 37% between 2000 to 2014. This demand has led farmers to require more land for growing chocolate. As a result, forests around the world are being cleared to make room for the crop. Check out Mighty Earth to see before and after maps of coffee farms’ footprint on large forests. The deforestation has led to significant species loss. Primates, elephants, leopards, insects, and many other animals that are pertinent to the survival of forests have lost their habitats.
Animals such as elephants are becoming endangered due to habitat loss from deforestation caused by cocoa farming.
Child labor and poverty is another contributor to the issue of sustainability. In 2014, it was estimated that nearly 2 million children were used for labor in Ghana and Ivory Coast. This puts children in unsafe conditions -- working long hours, performing hard labor, and poor compensation. From an article by BBC News, it is estimated that most workers make less than 75 cents a day and the average female worker makes 23 cents a day in the chocolate industry. According to the World Bank, the low poverty line is considered living below $1.90 per day. This indicates that people are not able to provide for their families. If people can’t properly support themselves, how can you expect them to take care of the earth?
Unfortunately, many chocolate farms cannot provide adequate compensation for their workers, forcing families into poverty which results in child labor.
Luckily, There are ethical chocolate companies that you can support. In 2017, 24 major chocolate companies (i.e. Hershey’s, Godiva, Nestle) have committed to stop deforestation for cacao and have supported reforestation efforts in Ghana and Ivory Coast in West Africa. Fair Trade, Rain Forest Alliance, and other certification initiatives that protect forests and support equal pay to chocolate farmers and employees have added up to 16% of the industry. By purchasing certified chocolate, you are supporting families to live better lives. We’ve listed some of our favorite chocolate brands in the links below!
Don’t Forget the Earth this Valentines Day
Every gift has an impact on the environment. Try to be knowledgeable when shopping for your loved one or yourself this holiday season. Check out our suggestions from the blogs, or support eco-friendly vendors that you already love! I’ve made it my life’s mission to help the world be a better place to live and I’d like you to join me in that mission. Please let me know in the comments what your favorite gift for Valentine’s Day is. Until the next update, let’s keep making a difference!
