|
Kodachi -> RE: Earth Day (I feel bad) (4/23/2008 9:08:36 PM)
|
Awww, don't feel bad, Second Coming. You don't have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. I don't and I'm Pagan. (Taking care of the earth is practically the principals of the belief system. I actually stump "green" people by going, "Errrrrm, it's already in my belief system to do that.")
You can save the earth in little ways everyday that will add up so you don't have to fret about just one day without having to live like a Puritian. Some tips are:
- Recycle. That's basic numero uno. That little triangle on your soda bottle and grocery bag knows what it's talking about. Reuse - Renew - Recycle. Don't throw out what you can use again (You'll prolly be doing this anyways considering what the economy is looking like.) For example, I'm using bags I got from the market to carry my knitting in, as waste basket liners, storage, cat toy (she likes to sleep in bags yet has a nasty phobia regarding the sound. She's half odd/half suicidal.) and heck you can even make a kite! Things can last waaaaay more than what we think and then some if we get creative. Think!
- Energy saving light bulbs aren't a bad idea. They save energy annnnnnd your bills. Which is a good thing both ways. They look funky and they're very useful and durable. And they save money on your bills.
- Learn how the enviroment works. Seriously. With all this hoopla on the news and whatever, fluff can be easily slipped in without notice to the untrained eye. I'm not saying become a botanist or an ecologist but do your own research of what's really going on with the world and you.
- Plant plants of your own. Donating money to save the trees somewhere in the Middle Of Nowhere, Somewhere In The World is nice but to ensure where your money is going (and to spend less of it. See it as "saving paper".) plant something yourself. One plant is good enough. And if you have a black thumb, get a hard-to-kill plant like a Century/Snake plant, an Aloe Vera (good healing quality for cuts and burns) or an Impatient. Put it in a pot or outside, your choice.
- Scrap paper will not kill you. You can use it again and again for jotting down notes, phone numbers, random info, whatever. That's less paper going into the trash and lesser being used. It's always around, why not use it?
- Turn off lights and computers when you are not using it. That's excess energy that doesn't need to be spent and it can rack up your bill too. Save the earth and your pockets at the same time, spiffy.
- Walk. Bike. Don't drive if you don't have to. You prolly do this already considering gas prices. A good rule of thumb is if you have to go less than 5 miles, you seriously don't need to drive if you don't have to. A walk or bike ride will do you good. Great excersise, saves money and makes you super aware of the environment if that's your deal because you won't be zipping past the very world you're riding on.
- Come to terms with the fact that while you may do your part, not everyone else will. Some of your stuff will head off to a landfill whether you like it or not but you can do something about the stuff that is there personally. Six packs, cut them so the fish and other sea animals won't get caught and suffocate (watch Happy Feet if you need motivation). Find out what you can and cannot recycle easily such as batteries and ink cartridges. Best Buy has a spot for you to recycle both I believe. Check out your office supply stores to see what they're doing to help. If not, save them until you can find a spot and there will almost always be a place for you to donate now. Don't forget to use them to the very very last bit too. That's a couple examples.
- Become more aware than you are now. My biggest worry is that this green thing is at most a yuppie fad that will fade away in at most five years because people like band wagons. If you are serious about this, check out stuff like oil slicks and deforestation (but not at a rate that makes you want to burn all that you own and live in the woods) to figure out what is going on. Firstly, helping the environment shouldn't be a slam to your pockets. All you are doing is scaling down your intake, not paying more to look less. Do more than just sign petitions and watch Live Earth. Get actually informed by outside and older sources. It shouldn't take a hurricane to convince people to get up off their bums and save the polar bears and tigers. Actually care.
And remember, mother earth can do well by herself. We're humans tho and we can do a lot to help (or hurt) the earth but she's got a pretty good reign. Make her happy and she makes more to help everything and everybody. Make her mad and well...she's got a nasty backhand. However, there is a point of no return and it's good you're doing your part to keep us from going there. Just don't let this "You are not Green enough! The blood of Mother Earth is on YOUR hands!" coverage get to you.
|
|
|
|