Mother’s Day is right around the corner, and you might be wondering what to get your mom this year. I’m here to tell you that if you love your mother as much as you love Mother Earth, you might want to consider skipping the flowers.
I know what you’re thinking – aren’t flowers a natural part of the environment? Well, not exactly! around 80 percent of the billions of flowers sold in the United States each year are imported, mostly from Colombia and Ecuador (see Washington Post for more info). We are the world’s largest consumer of cut flowers and Mother’s day is one of the biggest days for imports. This means it takes a lot of water just to keep them alive, as well as the use of toxic chemicals. On top of pollutants and water use, imported flowers generate serious carbon emissions with the amount of refrigeration and transport they require.
So, unless your flowers are locally grown (or cut from your own garden!), try something new for mom this year. A handmade card, baking her favorite dessert, or even just spending quality time with her is sure to make her day special. Mother Earth will thank you!