Environmental awareness is our understanding of the natural world and knowing how our choices impact the environment. Having awareness gives you insight and can inspire you to make better decisions and lifestyle choices that support a healthy and thriving environment for everyone. Our choices are not only crucial to our world as a whole, but they play a huge role in living a healthy life. Our environmental awareness affects the way we take care of ourselves, the outdoors we enjoy, and the environment we are leaving behind for others. 

The Environment and You

Enjoy the environment; enjoy taking care of it. Spending time outdoors has been scientifically correlated with improving our mental and physical health as well as our appreciation for the environment. The more we are aware of all of the benefits the environment provides for us, the stronger our desire will be to make choices that protect it. Below are a few simple ways you can improve your relationship with nature and why it is beneficial: 

• Get outside more! Spending a minimum of 120 minutes outside weekly can lessen feelings associated with anxiety and increase the sense of well-being. 
• Bring the outdoors in with a houseplant! Indoor plants can strengthen your connection to nature, especially if you live in urban areas with less access to it. 
• Go green! Studies have shown that increasing greenery in our surroundings can improve focus, boost energy, and reduce stress. 

The Environment and Others 

However, it isn’t just about us as individuals. The choices we make every day will create the environment generations after us will live in, so we must consider the way we want to leave the world behind. We rely on the natural world for pretty much everything, and so will the generations long after we are gone. Here are some ways to stay proactive: 

• Vote for candidates that support environmental causes in local and national elections.
• Get active in your community and participate in local cleanups.
• Educate by helping others understand the value of natural resources.

Take Action and Stay Engaged 

Awareness is key, and remaining well-informed enables us to make better decisions, both on small and large scales. There are many resources you can check out to boost your knowledge on how to preserve the outdoors and stay environmentally aware. Here are some that we recommend:

• Grist - An online magazine that publishes environmental news and commentary.  
• National Geographic | Environment - Take a deeper dive into the research behind various topics in environmental science.
• Sierra Club - Read up on green living, outdoor adventure, and environmental news.
• How To Save a Planet - A podcast that shares helpful tips on what actions we can take to turn awareness into impact. 

No matter how you choose to practice environmental awareness, know what you can do to preserve the outdoors for you, your neighbors, and the next generation!