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POSITIVE CHANGES The residents of Isla Mujeres in Mexico used to rely on the fishing of whale sharks to survive. Today, thanks to a dramatic lifestyle transformation, the veneration of this beautiful mammal is actually what sustains them. The island community is now a top-rated destination for tourists to experience swimming alongside these incredible creatures. It is the perfect example of turning things around by presenting not only the problem—the overfishing of whale sharks—but also a solution to the people who rely on that activity for their livelihood. e ladies of GR AVITAS challenge you— and we are doing the same on our own—to accomplish one or more of the following suggestions between now and Earth Day on April 22. Even if you try something for just one day between now and then, you are giving yourself an opportunity to experience the difference you can make, and how achievable these goals really are. 01 SAY BYE BYE TO BURGERS "Animal agriculture alone is responsible for 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions (carbon dioxide and methane)." Statistics vary regarding the exact amount of methane expelled by just dairy cows alone. Some say between 26 gallons and 53 gallons per cow per day…other experts claim it's closer to 132 gallons. If going vegan, or even vegetarian, isn't for you, cut out dairy and beef at least periodically—maybe just once a week, or even one day a month! You might be surprised how good skipping that big, juicy steak can make you feel. It's "heart- healthy" in more ways than one. 02 UNPLUG THOSE ENERGY SUCKERS "Oil collected to generate electricity and power in our homes and buildings has dire consequences for some of our most threatened animals." It's hard to believe that 75% of the electricity that powers home electronics is actually consumed while these devices are turned off. Chargers, like the one you use for your cell phone, are nicknamed "energy vampires" for a reason. ey continue to draw power from the outlet even when they are not hooked up to a device. Make your home more sustainable by unplugging appliances while not in use. 03 CHOOSE SMARTER SEAFOOD "Overfishing, habitat destruction, and unsustainable catch practices are depleting marine life faster than it can be replaced." Sustainable seafood has been caught or farmed using methods that take into consideration certain factors that endanger our planet. Regulated aquaculture strategies limit habitat damage, disease and the escape of farmed fish, promoting the vitality of the harvested species as well as the overall health of the oceans. Visit SeafoodWatch.org to educate yourself so you can make better selections when planning your menu and deciding what to put on your plate. 04 PUT IT IN PARK "Transportation accounts for 27% of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S." In addition to the obvious environmental impact of these greenhouse gas emissions, they affect human health (causing respiratory and cardiovascular problems) and the economy (changing weather patterns alter agriculture, forestry and tourism) as well. For most, it's just not feasible to avoid using your vehicle even one workday a week, but on a weekend, try biking, walking or taking public transportation to handle your errands. TAKE THE CHALLENGE ARE YOU READY AND WILLING TO DO YOUR PART? THE PEOPLE BEHIND "RACING EXTINCTION" SUGGEST SOME SMALL CHANGES IN LIFESTYLE THAT CAN EQUAL A LARGE IMPACT. e issues standing between us and a brighter, cleaner future are multi-layered and seem insurmountable, so they must be approached one incremental step at a time. Closely examining the problems, expending the time, effort and resources to come up with solutions, and then pledging to attempt to implement these plans are our only chance to get on course toward more tomorrows. Subscribe at GravitasMag.com | 63

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