--------
Dear Members of Meetup and other groups working to make the world a better place,
If environmental pollution causes us to get cancer, or if global warming destroys food crops, all our massage, NVC, yoga, meditation, vegetarianism, dancing, and everything else will not save us. The figure commonly used is that 1 in 3 Americans gets cancer in their lifetime. Can anyone doubt that a large portion of the cause is environmental pollution.
What can we do?
i offer below some small actions. Will these small actions save the planet? Hell no!, but,
when our friends see us doing them, perhaps they will do them too, and when enough people get the message that environmental pollution and destruction poses a clear and present danger, a greater threat to our health and safety than Al Quaeda, Iran, North Korea, and the economic meltdown, all combined, then some big changes will happen.
It constantly shocks me how seemingly nice, intelligent, well intentioned people just don't seem to grasp the connection between the coffee cup they threw away, and global warming,don't seem to grasp the enormity and the urgency of what's going on, and live their lives in a way inconsistent with the values they espouse with their words. Enough talking the talk. It's time to walk the walk.
OK, 3 very small ideas, the big idea being, to start adopting into your every day life positive actions.
1) You know that you are going to shop. Just keep some cloth shopping bags with you at all times, probably in your car.
2) You know that you are going to eat and drink. Just bring a lunch kit: coffee cup, plate, utensils, cloth napkin, especially to Meetup and other events
3) Form carpool groups for all events.
That's it. Of course there are a host of other actions that could be taken, but let's make a start, a start to remembering that every action has consequences. Do i expect people to be perfect? Hell no. Am i perfect? Probably not in this lifetime, and, don't use that an excuse for lack of diligence.
I hear a lot of people talking the eco talk. Let's at least take the baby steps towards walking the walk, and remember:
In metaphysical terms, the smallest actions are important, symbolic actions are important. With every action you do, every word you speak, every thought you think, you are making a statement to the universe about what kind of world you want to live in.
here's a link to a funny little video, The Story of Stuff http://www.storyofstuff.com/
--
be well,
jay
- Some interesting, practical food for thought, particularly in the idea that small actions in the cumulative and aggregate make a big difference.
The idea of keeping a cloth bag in the car and a cup handy are good ones. I see more people using cloth bags at the grocery stores, but not so much yet the cup.
I partially disagree with the comment that well intentioned and smart people do not see how the little things contribute to the larger whole. Personally, I am not 100% sold that global warming is a fact or that we have caused it. It is also the thinking that there are larger causes that we do not have control over. I think we do have a responsibility to decrease our foot print, but there is still a ways to go in changing our thinking before behaviors follow suit. It's happening though.
Another thought: what about water usage? Why have we not created home and portal distillation systems to stop the over use of water? It seems to me that this is a larger contributor of health and environmental issues.
To the third point about car pools, I do not think most Americans see this as practical. I also think that too many people see it as an impingement of their individualism. It is something we should make a little better effort of though.
Thanks again for the insights :)
-Digger - April 25, 2009 4:06 PM
- Our whole civilization is based on waste and disposability. Material production poisons the environment, meaning poisons us.
GNP=Gross National Pollution, or Gross National Poisoning
and of course it is international - We are literally poisoning ourselves to make a living. A total new system is needed, a world economic system that is not based on material production and consumption, beyond what is necessary. No more shop till you drop.
the small things i mentioned are just tokens, just a way for people to do some small action. Perhaps asking for this is a mistake on my part, because people who do these things may believe it is enough.- http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/science_and_impacts/science/
Some interesting, practical food for thought, particularly in the idea that small actions in the cumulative and aggregate make a big difference.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of keeping a cloth bag in the car and a cup handy are good ones. I see more people using cloth bags at the grocery stores, but not so much yet the cup.
I partially disagree with the comment that well intentioned and smart people do not see how the little things contribute to the larger whole. Personally, I am not 100% sold that global warming is a fact or that we have caused it. It is also the thinking that there are larger causes that we do not have control over. I think we do have a responsibility to decrease our foot print, but there is still a ways to go in changing our thinking before behaviors follow suit. It's happening though.
Another thought: what about water usage? Why have we not created home and portal distillation systems to stop the over use of water? It seems to me that this is a larger contributor of health and environmental issues.
To the third point about car pools, I do not think most Americans see this as practical. I also think that too many people see it as an impingement of their individualism. It is something we should make a little better effort of though.
Thanks again for the insights :)
-Digger
Our whole civilization is based on waste and disposability. Material production poisons the environment, meaning poisons us. We are literally poisoning ourselves to make a living. A total new system is needed, a world economic system that is not based on material production and consumption, beyond what is necessary. No more shop till you drop.
ReplyDeletethe small things i mentioned are just tokens, just a way for people to do some small action. Perhaps asking for this is a mistake on my part, because people who do these things may believe it is enough.
As far as Global Warming, i think the scientific consensus is quite overwhelming, but as a result of a massive propaganda campaign, doubt has been sowed in the minds of even intelligent people such as yourself.
ReplyDeleteJay,
ReplyDeleteGood response. You're right, our current system of consumption is unsustainable.
Regardless of whether or not one believes global warming, there's definitely some big stuff happening with the weather. It's picking up speed and I am not sure that even with curbing consumption if we can stop what's happening. Thanks again,
-Digger