Captain Planet Is Retired; Now It’s up to You

The cost of those Costa Rican-grown bananas might be greater than you ever anticipated. Add in the carbon emissions used in shipping, along with the pesticides misted into the growing soil, and you’ve managed to hyper-pollute the air, contaminate a country’s drinking water, and contribute to uptake in acid rain quantities — all while consuming a seemingly harmless banana split. But don’t get dismayed; delicious treats don’t have to accompany such dastardly side effects. Earth Day is a time to shift our thinking from the immediately gratifying to the long-term, and hopefully shape a more sustainable future in the process.

Today you can get a free education from the pros at Mounts Botanical Garden from 1 to 4:30 p.m. when lecturers, including keynote speaker Lloyd Singleton of the Breakers, lead discussions on everything from shopping locally to greener gardening techniques. They’ll show you that green living can still be delicious by providing tropical fruit, salads, and — wait for it — desserts! Afterwards, absorb a bit of beauty with a guided tour of the grounds.

Mounts Botanical Garden is located at 531 N. Military Trail in Palm Beach and there is a meager $5 suggested donation for this event. Call 561-233-1757, or visit mounts.org.
Wed., April 22, 1 p.m., 2009