Today is the first day of September which means the wrap up of summer. For people with chronic illness/disability there are two reactions to summer finishing. The first being sadness that they no longer have the life giving warmth of the sun anymore. The other group is extremely thankful that the heat that sets off their symptoms will be subsiding. Leading into fall is usually about hope and new starts. For many of us this is much needed as the intense weather this summer has had significant impacts on our world.

For example. in Canada right now, and throughout the summer, B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Quebec, Ontario, and Nova Scotia are on fire. Wildfires are raging all over the place. Many people have been evacuated from their homes and many people will have no homes to go back to. On top of that the environmental cost of this disaster is incalculable.

Wildfire smoke is obviously not healthy for you. The amount of toxins that are in the smoke is high. This affects everyone. However, it can affect people with chronic illness more. Symptoms are aggravated, and new symptoms such as headaches, nausea, sore throats, and actual allergic reactions to the smoke can occur. It makes people lethargic and just plain sick. And this is just the smoke which can come from a distance of 8 hours away, let alone if you live closer.

I am saddened to think of how much more earth and people’s homes will be destroyed. I wish there was something I could do to stop these fires. We can hope that the fall season will bring more rain. It can be easy to feel overwhelmed and like there is nothing to be done. I have found one Canadian company that does the best they can to help by planting new trees in the areas that have been devastated by wildfires.

tentree is an ethical based, B-Certified environmental company that makes sustainable clothing. Not only are their products fun, soft, and stylish, I always feel good knowing that my purchase helps combat climate change. Every item that you purchase plants at least ten trees (hence the name!). So far they have planted over 100 million trees! They plant trees from their products and carbon offset programs in many different areas around the world that have need. Due to the overwhelming wildfires in Canada, they are ensuring that many of their trees will be planted where there has been wildfire devastation. They are a great company and it feels good to do something in the face of overwhelming catastrophe.

To learn more about tentree visit their website. Here is the Duo Gooder Climate+ link and here is the Climate+ page where you can find different carbon offset packages for couples, families, and individuals.

As the weather begins to change, let’s get joy out of the change of colours to the trees and the fresh-start feeling of crisp autumn air.