Meteor Blades brought us a good synopsis of the history of Earth Day, and started a good discussion of what people are already doing, but now I think we need to talk about what we are going to do in the
future. The past is all fine and good, but the future is where we're headed, right? So...
What are you willing to commit to do now reduce your impact on our big blue mother?
Want some ideas beyond the yawn inducing idea of recycling?
OK, here you go...
These personal choices have the biggest negative impact on the environment:
#1 Making Babies - US Americans are the biggest hogs of energy and other resources, thus the fewer there are of us the better. Consider choosing to stay child-free and getting your dose of kids by teaching, adopting, or being a great surrogate aunt or uncle. (Vasectomies are very cheap and simple these days. My husband just had one, if anyone wants tips!)
#2 Motor Vehicles - more efficient transportation choices include public transit, human powered vehicles, walking, telecommuting/teleshopping, and chosing to live within walking distance from where you work.
#3 Factory Farming - choose local, vegetarian, organic foods, and grow as much of your own as you can.
#4 Land Use - dense, mixed use neighborhoods are great for not only the environment, but also your health and happiness as well. Do whatever you can to convince your town or city to adopt mixed use zoning laws that encourage healthy traditional-style downtowns, neighborhood schools, natural landscaping, community gardens, and narrow roads, and add zoning laws that discourage community killers like malls and sprawl and monoculture lawns. Consider joining the National Wildlife Federation's Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program. Keep repeating the mantra, "Unpave the planet!"
#5 "Luxury" Energy Use - look for efficiency, practicality, and rationality in your energy choices. Instead of trying to compete with nature, learn to work with it. When your part of the planet is dark, try to enjoy the darkness. When your part of the world is cold, embrace the cold. Don't literally freeze to death or walk around bumping into things, but learn to be less aggressive in fighting the reality that is your natural environment.
#6 Obsessive Consumerism/Disposable Society - learn what you need to live comfortably and happily, and get rid of the rest, it's only dragging you and the rest of the planet down.
Most importantly, you can make the smallest footprint on the mother earth by working with her, not against her. Don't try to do it all, at least not all at once. But aim for something big, and you'll probably be pleasantly surprised at how much better you feel.
Read this review of the Union of Concerned Scientists book A Consumer's Guide to Effective Environmental Choices for more information.
And you can take the "What's Your Footprint" test at http://www.earthday.net/Footprint/lowband/info.asp (make sure to scroll down and choose your country!) or at http://www.myfootprint.org/