Ilchi Lee

One of the major causes of carbon emissions in the world is vehicle traffic. When every employee at your place of work drives to and from the office each day, that’s a lot of carbon that is eroding the ozone layer and will cause serious environmental decline. There’s hope, however. If you change the way you commute, you can reduce your carbon footprint and improve your health. Here’s how:

Bike
Do you have a rusty Schwinn in the garage? Give it a quick tune-up, put air in the tires and hit the road. Biking to work will allow you to take one car off the road and get in shape at the same time. You can improve your respiratory and cardiovascular health by becoming a cyclist. Plus, you may find you lose weight and overall feel better just by switching from driving to biking to work.

Run
Some people aren’t huge fans of bicycles and would rather spend their commute pounding the pavement. Some people are concerned that they’d need a shower after getting to work. If so, stop at a local gym to do so, or give yourself a quick face wash, towel-off and fresh application of deodorant in the bathroom before putting on your work clothes. Keep an outfit at the office so you don’t have to worry about carrying one while you run. Make sure your running shoes fit properly so you don’t get blisters. You may even find you are more energetic and productive after running to work than if you’d sat in your car and driven there.

Take Public Transit
For many employees, running or biking to work isn’t possible because they live too far away. If that rings true for you, see if you can take public transit instead of driving. Find a bus, train or combination of the two that will allow you to get to work in a timely manner. This will reduce your carbon footprint and you can even enjoy reading a book on your way to the office.

Carpool
Not every area has a public transit system and you may not want to run or bike to work. Instead, find a colleague that lives near you and switch off driving. Have him or her drive one day and you the next. This way you are still eliminating one car from the roadway, and you can make a new friend or strategize for the workday on your commute.

Ilchi Lee believes the Earth is a sacred place. In order for the planet to continue creating energy and hosting living things it must be in good condition. Wednesday, April 22, is Earth Day and you can help keep our planet alive by doing these activities:

Earth Day Activities

• Pick up trash in your neighborhood. Don gloves and bring garbage bags to clean up all the fast food bags, dirty cups and other detritus that is clogging up your community. 
• Plant trees. Trees turn carbon dioxide into oxygen, which helps to filter out harmful pollutants from the air and make it more breathable for living beings. 
• Calculate your carbon footprint to see how much of an impact you are making on the world. Now see if there are ways you can reduce this number, like biking to work instead of driving or purchasing local goods instead of ones manufactured overseas.
• Visit a nearby shop to buy groceries. Much of what is available at supermarkets and grocery stores comes from faraway places and is made with a lot of packaging. Instead of choosing vegetables that are wrapped in plastic and were shipped in from another state, look for locally-grown organic veggies that come as they are. This will help to protect our natural resources, and reduce waste.
• Consider purchasing only things that are made with recycled materials. Instead of looking for a new pair of jeans or a blanket for your sofa, seek out items that have been made from other, already existing ones. 

Ilchi Lee and the Earth
"This is a beautiful and hopeful time to be alive. We are at a turning point, and your contribution to the world is needed more than ever. All of your struggles, all the struggles of your ancestors, all the struggles of all life have led to this moment right now. You are the culmination of life's great yearning; you are the hope of the world." Ilchi Lee wrote in his book, "Brain Wave Vibration: Getting Back into the Rhythm of a Happy, Healthy Life."

Ilchi Lee teaches that it is important to value the Earth as we respect ourselves. Instead of taking this into consideration once a year on Earth Day, keep the thought close to your heart at all times. Treat the planet how you would want to be treated and always look for ways to make a more sustainable world.

April is an important month as spring occurs and nature awakens after many cold months. From April 27 to May 1, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and National Weather Service celebrate Air Quality Awareness Week. During this time, it is important to learn about air quality and what you can do to keep Mother Earth happy and healthy.

Air Quality Tips
We don't always think about how the products we use and things we do on a daily basis affect the planet and ecosystems. During Air Quality Awareness Week, try these tips to improve the air around your community:

Plant Some Greens
Leaves filter out the bad qualities of the air, including the carbon dioxide, and produce life-giving oxygen. They also grow fruits and vegetables that feed livestock and humans and keep us growing physically and spiritually. To improve the air quality in your home, consider purchasing leafy plants to place throughout the space. They will filter the air and bring in some positive energy.

Buy Non-Toxic Cleaning Products
Many of the ingredients in common cleaning products are harmful to the air and humans. Look for labels that are more green and eco-friendly. Avoid aerosol spray cans, as they can deplete the ozone and you can even make your own home cleaning solutions to totally avoid exposing your family to questionable ingredients. Vinegar water works well for cleaning countertops and surfaces in kitchens and bathrooms. It's a lot cheaper than ready-made solutions, too.

Clean Up After Your Pet
Animals can offer wonderful companionship and many pets are considered to be a part of the family. Our furry friends can be hazardous to our health, however. To keep the air clear, be sure to vacuum frequently so their hair and dander isn't causing breathing issues. Give your pet and his or her bedding a wash regularly to keep germs and dirt outside of your home. Plus, your house or apartment will smell much better when your pets and their areas are clean.

Do the Laundry
Don't forget to add curtains, bedding and blankets to your weekly laundry load. This large pieces of fabric can hold on to dust, allergens and even dust mites. A quick wash in hot water can minimize the effect of these air pollutants and make your home effortless to breath in. It's much easier to feel calm and at home in a space that doesn't make you sneeze or feel stuffy.