What better way to show your sweetie how much you love her or him than doing it in a way that's sensitive to the environment? More than 100 million roses are sold in the U.S. in the three days around Valentine's Day, the vast majority of them grown using toxic pesticides and fertilizer. We buy an equally massive amount of chocolates, stuffed animals, and other gifts that are — by and large — made using conventional materials and ingredients. In short, while Valentine's Day may be great for the purveyors of flowers, chocolates and greeting cards, it can be a drag for Mother Earth.

 

We'd be stupid to suggest that people opt out of Valentine's Day in deference to the Earth. Life just doesn't work that way, and besides, Valentine's Day is fun! So let's all get a little greener as we celebrate this Valentine's Day. Here are a few simple steps you can take to celebrate the holiday with a lighter environmental footprint. (Text: Shea Gunther)