Entries Tagged 'conservation' ↓

Recently I have been more aware of my carbon footprint, energy consumption and the all-around sustainability of my actions. Many books, articles, documentaries have stimulated thought and offered solutions, and through this gathering of information I have become acutely aware that “saving the planet” must start with me and my sphere of influence.  One interesting thing I have found is an article on the Pacific Garbage Patch, a amalgamation of floating plastic (polymer based material that is non-biodegradable).  This floating patch of waste is no small matter as it is currently the size of the continent of Africa. What!

Finding out about these ecological disaster areas motivates me to reduce my plastic intake. In lue of this, I have taken two steps towards reducing my plastic consumption… they are relatively easy, albeit sometimes hard to implement, and are in-line with a pledge I took to Rise Above Plastic, through the Surfrider Foundation (of which I’ve been a member of since 2006).

Using reusable bottles for water and other drinks, you will keep 167 single-use plastic bottles from entering the environment.

Using cloth bags for groceries and other purchases you will save approximately 400 plastics from being used and discarded.

I challenge you to take the pledge and help lessen your carbon footprint on the earth. It is a small, but important step in changing your behavior towards the 3 R’s (reduce, reuse, recycle).  Hardest part about it is remembering the clothe bags before you go in the grocery store (I keep them in my truck and then when I’m done unloading I put them by the door to take back out to my truck.  Also I keep my Sigg water bottle in the side pocket of my messenger bag, so I always have it handy.

T. Boone Pickens and The Pickens Plan (click T. Boone for the website and The Pickens Plan for the pdf).

Scarcity - In economics, scarcity is the problem of infinite human needs and wants, in a world of finite resources. In other words, society does not have sufficient productive resources to fulfill those wants and needs. (wikipedia)

It is in the mind that we battle the reality of the world. We read about it, hear about it and see it all around us, but it is as if our mind is playing the like monkey figurines found in touristy stores, and airports…
See no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil.

Question: In a blind, deaf and dumb world, who is king?

What happens when we turn a blind eye to the signs impending scarcity? When we tune out the cries of scientist’s and environmental advocates as they speak of the damage our excess is causing? Who then is foolish one, the tree hugger or the one who no longer has a tree to hug?

As I sit and contemplate these things, my mind battles on… YOU ARE THE GUILTY ONE! YOU ARE APART OF THE PROBLEM! YOU ARE TO BLAME! and this internal battle is beginning to hurt. It is time to change, time to modify my behavior… They say it takes 90 days to change a behavior/habit. 90 days! That is 3 months of constantly choosing against the feelings of your body and mind, of using some self-control. Like Paul says in the good book, it is hard to make your body your slave… it is against our fleshly desires of greed, want and instant gratification.

Some people are getting it, but unfortunately the citizens of the Midwest are stalwarts and laggards in this green movement. What can I do that actually reduces my carbon footprint (mine is 19.505 tonnes, which is a tad below the US average of 20.4)? I must begin to do the things I have ignored… Can I do reduce and still live in abundance? That depends on my definition of abundance…

An abundance of friends, smiles and food or an abundance of clothes, styles, and stuff.

Abundance in the former is the scarcest of all commodities (something that is useful and/or valuable). We are (forgive the use of this next word) “brainwashed” to be ill content, to compare and to always want more, better and the best. Contentment that is rooted in simplicity and selflessness, is hard to come by in a consumerist world, driven by advertisements the illusion of “lack”. There is a scarcity of common sense, self-control and contentment in this world, it is this problem that must be overcome to provide a solution to the other scarcity problem on this world.

Think about this provocative quote:

If the earth dies, you die. If you die the earth survives. - The Day the Earth Stood Still

and by bike I mean my 1972 Honda CB 500… It has been in the shop for the last 2 months getting it’s front forks rebuilt. Which included ordering a $2 part from Japan, which they didn’t have so then a part was fabricated by a metal smith for use on the front fork gaskets/bearings. Think metal o-ring that keeps all the bearings and oil/grease in place. So gas will now be conserved and my monthly gasoline bill will go down considerably!!! Woooohoooo!