2 Island teens seek to inspire others to live greener

Two P.E.I. womenare taking it upon themselves to try to teach Islanders ways to live a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle.

Paige Martinand Olivia Blacquiere, both 19, started aFacebook page this spring called Green Everlasting, whichsharesways to help the environmentandencouragesothers to do the same.

Martin said she is walking the walk she has begun buying her food in bulk and using non-packaged hair products like shampoo bars.

If we continue to do these little things that we don't think about, we can be putting our beautiful beaches and wildlife at risk. Paige Martin

The women say finding zero-waste products on the Island isn't easybut say they believe if everyone reduces their waste by even a fractionit will make a difference.

'Something fun they can do'

"The big picture that I hope foris honestlyjust making Islandersmore informed about what their actions can be doing to the world and our P.E.I.nature," Martin said.

"If we continue to do these little things that we don't think about, we can be putting our beautiful beaches and wildlife at risk."

Neither woman professes to be an environmental expert, butsay they haveseen the effects of climate change and littering in their communitiesand decided to act.

Their plan is to provide monthly workshops to teach people tips and tricks to help the earth.

The first onescheduled forJune 8will teachfamilies how to plant seeds, and admission will beby donation.

"I felt like we were kind of lacking in a group that everybodycould participate in from anyage group," said Martin."The majority of our events are free of charge and it's just something fun they can do and they can learn new stuff."

'Instead of just buy, buy, buy'

Blacquiere saidthey're exploring ways to use natural products "instead of just buy, buy, buy and buying stuff that is actually harmful to our planet."

Right now Blacquiere and Martin are covering the costs of the workshops themselves, but they hope the donations from the firstworkshop will help pay for the materials forthe next one.

Martin said the goal of theworkshops is to show how simple efforts can make a difference.

"Getting Islanders to make little changes in their life, like when they go to the grocery storetry not to pick up the produce that's wrapped in plastic," said Martin.

The workshops are so far planned for the North Rustico area where the women live, but they say they would like to expand Island-wide.

Martin and Blacquiere already organized a roadside cleanup in their own communities of Oyster Bed and North Rustico andplanted about300 trees while volunteering with Parks Canada this spring.

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