While a diamond may be forever, so, unfortunately, is it's mining scar on the planet. According to the Sierra club, the amount of gold mined to make a single gold ring creates 3 tons of waste. Each year the mining industry emits 142 tons of acid-rain-causing sulfur dioxide. Is it any wonder that the dirty business of mining is typically in the world's poorest countries?
www.sierraclub.org/sierra to learn more.
Instead:
Buy earth friendly jewelry: You can find some at www.tarmadesigns.com/
or visit antique and second hand stores for some vintage jewelry.
Give your mate a labor of love. For example, offer to do a household chore that they normally do. The more odious the better!
Get Creative: Spice up the romance by creating a blissful evening together. The sky's the limit here.
If you prefer the more conventional gift:
Get locally grown flowers from a farmer�s market or try www.organicbouquet.com. Or, a house plant will leave a lasting impression while doing double duty as an air purifier. To learn more about the dark side of sending conventional roses, visit:www.sierraclub.org/sierra/200107/hidden.asp
If your sweetie has a sweet tooth, there are many options for organic and fair trade chocolates. According to the pesticide awareness network, www.panna.org, cocoa is second only to cotton in its use of pesticides.
