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flying less, recycling, and conservation all reduce your carbon footprint, or the amount of carbon dioxide you’re responsible for putting into the atmosphere. When faced with facts like these, and all of the publicity surrounding World Environment Day andWorld Oceans Day, it’s easy to see the need for extensive change. That’s exactly what motivated 19-year-old Boyan Slat to create The Ocean Cleanup Foundation. While still in school, Slat launched a project that analyzed the size and amount of plastic particles in the ocean’s garbage patches. His paper won several prizes, including Best Technical Design 2012 at the Delft University of Technology. In 2013, Slat and The Ocean Cleanup Foundation implemented a plan to remove 7,250,000 tons of plastic waste from the world’s oceans. Slat designed an anchored network of floating booms and processing platforms that can be dispatched to garbage
patches around the world. Instead of moving through the ocean, the equipment spans the radius of a garbage patch, acting like a giant funnel. The angle of the booms forces plastic in the direction of the platforms, where it is separated from plankton, filtered, and stored for recycling. Though the ocean cleanup is expected to take up to five years, you can start making a conscious effort to go green at home right now. It can be hard to get the whole family on board when you don’t have time to drive less or the budget for organic produce. But there are real-world small steps you and your family can take to limit the amount of trash that your family sends to the landfill. Instead of rinsing and reusing plastic bags for leftovers or school lunches, create less waste by packing food in washable plastic containers. Instead of giving up juice boxes and individually wrapped snacks, save the prepackaged foods for lunch boxes, picnics, or times when you’re on the go. Instead of trading in your SUV for a hybrid car, help
reduce greenhouse gases by keeping your car tuned up. If you use the proper grade of motor oil, keep your tires properly inflated, and replace your air filter frequently, you can increase your miles per gallon by up to 15 percent, according to the US Department of Energy. Though far-reaching, environmentally- friendly projects like Slat’s may be out of the question for your family, there are always things you can do to shrink your carbon footprint and reduce the amount of waste that comes out of your house. Let the month of June be an inspiration to you — and talk to your family about loving Mother Earth and going green!
Most Underrated Hikes FromCoast to Coast
CONECUH TRAIL Alabama’s Conecuh Trail is a gentle 22-mile path that meanders through a remote section of forest near the Alabama-Florida border. The trail takes hikers past multiple ponds, creeks, and a spring. Keep your eyes peeled for woodpeckers, gopher frogs, and armadillos. OCEAN PATH The Ocean Path trail begins at Sand Beach in Acadia National Park about 3 hours from Portland, Maine. The trail takes hikers along the eastern shore of Mount Desert Island for about 2 miles until it arrives at Otter Cliff. Listen for Thunder Hole, an underwater cave that mimics the sound of thunder when waves force air out of the cave. When planning your summer activities, consider adding new hikes to the itinerary. There are many underrated trails across the United States — don’t be afraid to discover them all!
It’s summer, and your list of fun backpacking locations is looking slim and dull. Long days, good weather, and vacation time give you a great excuse to travel and cross some trails off your list, but you’re not sure where you should go. Here are some of the most underrated trails from coast to coast to add to — and cross off — your list! HIKE TO ALAMERE FALLS The hike to Alamere Falls on the Palomarin Trailhead near San Francisco, California, is an 8 ½-mile trail. Starting at the Palomarin Trailhead, hop on the Coast Trail and head toward the falls. The trail becomes narrow and steep when you reach the coast, but the tidal falls is only a short way down the beach. LOWER ROCK CREEK TRAIL Lower Rock Creek Trail is located in Mark Twain National Forest near Fredericktown, Missouri. The trail is 6 miles and features a beautiful waterfall. The trail offers a number of activity options, and the tumbling creek and high bluffs make this a beautifully untouched area with rugged and remote areas for camping.
2 • www.bodymoksha.com
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