What on Earth?

Tomorrow is Earth Day! A perfect time to celebrate our beautiful, generous planet that gives so abundantly to us, even when we don’t return the favour. 

Since Earth Day was created in 1970, there have been many changes in human behaviour toward the planet. Several beneficial changes as people have studied and applied greener ways to consume and navigate the world. Reduce, reuse, and recycle initiatives come to mind as one such example. Some things have continued, such as burning fossil fuels and dumping waste from ships into the ocean. New consumption issues have also arisen, as AI demands on memory chips soar and the carbon footprint of expanding data centres rises. 

For each one of us, it can feel overwhelming to dwell upon all that our beloved Earth is contending with at the moment. However, we also know this planet is resilient. Nature is strong. We do best when we work with nature rather than ignoring it and acting against it.

Gardeners know this to be true. Just try to grow a perennial tropical garden outdoors in Canada. Or peonies and tulips in southern Florida. We all submit to nature and learn in the process. 

So when we look at what’s around us, what can we grow? What can we do? What dreams and plans do we have for our planet? For our society? What kind of world do you want to live in? Picture it for minute or two.

At the shop, I’ve been inspired by many of the changes I’ve witnessed with our suppliers over the years. I’ve seen greeting card and stationery brands reduce and even eliminate their use of plastic in packaging (as just one example, E. Frances comes to mind). There are brands that have incorporated recycled materials and waste products into clever new designs and uses. Tom’s Studio has truly opened new doors with its commitment to environmentally friendly and beautiful writing instruments that are crafted with care and made to last.

Some stationery items have been considered “green” from the start, such as fountain and dip pens that use bottled ink. It’s always a joy when sustainability marries with beauty. It feels like that is how things ought to be in general, doesn’t it? 

Here are a few items that take the Earth into account and help us extend the life of our ink and pencils:

Thank you for spending a few minutes with us today to reflect on our planet – what it means to us, what it offers us, and what we can do to honour it.