Make You – and the Earth – Healthier!

Our power. Our planet is the theme for Earth Day 2025. It speaks to the need—and the ability—of all of us to do better to protect the planet.

Senior Planet spoke to Tom Cosgrove, a spokesperson for the nonprofit organization Earth Day and mined other reputable sources of information about how to make a difference.  It often seems that making the earth healthier makes us all healthier too.

Ditch The Plastic

We’ve heard for years we need to ditch those single-use water bottles and get reusable ones–for starters. Not everyone has gotten that message. According to Beyond Plastics, an organization dedicated to ending ‘’plastic pollution” everywhere, more than half a trillion plastic bottles are sold annually, and that was as of 2021.

Lest you feel smug because you’re a recycler, the Beyond Plastics website notes: “At best, less than 1/3 of all plastic bottles will be recycled.”

So even if you are devoted to throwing that plastic bottle in the recycle bin, it doesn’t mean it will be recycled, Cosgrove says. Not all plastics you throw in the recycle bin actually get recycled  Some critics claim 79% of plastic waste ends up in landfills or in nature, because of factors such as many facilities not having the capability to recycle adequately, Cosgrove says. Recycling varies by location but also by plastic type. And if the plastic waste you toss is mixed with food remains, it can contaminate the waste stream.

Even so, reducing use of and exposure to plastics is crucial. “The less you interact with plastic, the less likely it is to get into your organs or body,” Cosgrove says.

Plastics and Your Health

…heated plastic can release harmful chemicals…

Among the ways to cut down your exposure to plastics?  Microwave foods in ceramic or glass containers, not plastic.  Heated plastic can release harmful chemicals such as bisphenol A or BPA, used to make plastics and resins since the 50’s. To minimize exposure, look for the “BPA-free” labels on products.

Sure, plastics are easy – and everywhere. But a recent study reported that the amount of plastic found in brains of deceased subjects rose 50% between the researchers’ 2016 study and 2024 study. In 2024, they found about the equivalent of the weight of a plastic spoon in the brains examined.

Thinking long-term and like a responsible citizen might be motivating, too. Single-use plastics have a very brief time of usefulness, but can stay around for many years – in the environment and in you.

Think Renewable Energy

Using renewable energy can make a difference, Cosgrove says. People talk about renewable energy, but what is it, exactly? The United Nations has a clear explanation, defining it as energy derived from natural sources “replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed.”

Of the renewable sources—solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower, ocean, bioenergy–solar is the most abundant. (The U.S. Department of Energy has a step-by-step guide for homeowners wanting to go solar.)

Air Pollution and Your Health

Renewable energy reduces air pollutants,  and according the American Lung Association and others, breathing cleaner air reduces asthma attacks, heart attacks, strokes and other health problems. Want to be part of the solution?
Join the Healthy Air Campaign here.  And here’s a source to learn more about the Air Quality Index. If the air quality is bad in your city, forgo that outdoor walk for a stroll on the treadmill.

Eating Organic

You see the “Organic” label all the time in the supermarket, but what does that mean?  And is “organic” the same as “natural?” The Mayo Clinics offers this rundown of what organic is – and isn’t, along with food safety tips.

Generally, organically grown food has fewer chemicals like pesticides, and while it is difficult to say for sure because of all the variables (soil quality, weather, etc.) there is some belief that organic food has more nutrients.

While it’s important to show your support for organic farming by buying it when possible, it’s also important to note that both organic and conventionally grown food can be contaminated with bacteria – so make sure to wash your fruits and veggies thoroughly! Here is a tipsheet on how to do it right. 

Speak Up, Sign, Get Social

Reach out to local and state leaders, Cosgrove suggests, and express your concerns about saving the planet. Or sign petitions, such as the Global Plastics Treaty, which binds all to the same provisions. It includes a goal of reducing fossil fuel-based plastic production by 60% by 2040, among other actions.

You can also make the planet better and get social at the same time. Check out the global Earth Day event map from Earth Day.

Your Turn

Have you ditched the plastic? Eat organic? What changes have you made in your day to day life that has helped the environment – and how has it helped you? l Share your changes and tips in the comments!

 

 

Kathleen Doheny is a Los Angeles-based independent journalist, specializing in health, behavior, fitness and lifestyle stories. Besides writing for Senior Planet, she reports for WebMD, Medscape, MedCentral and other sites.  She is a mom, mother-in-law and proud and happy Mimi who likes to hike, jog and shop.

 

Photo of Kathy Doheny: Shaun Newton

 

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