Earth Day
OK…let’s start with a show of hands, “How many of you fine folks out there know that it is Earth Day tomorrow?” My assumption would be that only about thirty to forty percent of the people reading this blog actually knew that it was Earth Day. Don't sweat it if you didn't know, after reading this you will. If you were to ask me that same question just a few short years ago, I would have been in the population of folks who didn’t know, and quite frankly, didn’t care. But things are different for me now. Now I pay attention to these types of things. Now I pay attention to the environment, GREEN initiatives, and the overall wellness of our planet. Heck, I have five kids, and I’m sure some of them will have kids and the beat...hopefully...will go on and on. I certainly don’t want future generations of Caico’s living on a planet that is not safe. How about you?
Earth Day, designated on April 22nd each year, is a day that has been designed to create and inspire awareness and a heightened appreciation for our Earth’s environment. It was actually founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental “teach-in” in 1970. It is celebrated in many countries throughout the world, and has gained some serious momentum over the last several years. Historically, this has been a hot topic that has included major political debates. But not quite as much these days, as more and more folks are jumping on-board. Regardless of where you stand politically, you will not be able to escape the powerful inertia that exists in this arena. Everywhere you turn, someone or something is going GREEN. The movement has not only crossed political boundaries, it has slowly edged into our homes and businesses. How many of you have an Energy Star appliance? I thought so, and the GREEN movement is only going to get bigger. Listen to what Robert Redford said in The Green Book, the best seller written a few years back by Elizabeth Rogers and Thomas M. Kostigen.
“It used to be that people who cared about the environment were called granola heads and tree huggers and treated like kooks. Now they are called visionaries, and tree hugger is a great eco-website, and maybe granola head is, too. It doesn’t matter if you are a Democrat, Republican, or Independent, as the environment and things like global warming know no political affiliation. What has given me hope is that small steps can lead to sea change. As important as is the big picture, there’s a profound power in pulling it down to a manageable scale, to bringing it home, right down to our communities, and taking action with available solutions How we treat the earth says as much about us as a society, about our sprit and strength as a nation”
There are a ton of misconceptions out there regarding going GREEN. Many people think that they will have to sacrifice their current lifestyle if they want to participate, and this could not be further from the truth. Going GREEN means recycling, turning off lights, shopping with re-usable grocery bags, saving water, purchasing more earth friendly products, and basically staying aware of issues regarding the environment. You don’t have to alter your political affiliation, that’s just nonsense. So many people are afraid of actually “doing the right thing” for fear that others will judge them for what they are doing. Afraid that folks might say, “Hey did you see what Bob did to his house? He actually installed solar panels on his roof; he must be changing political parties. Next thing you know he will be holding vigils in his backyard for the trees!” I see some smiles out there from some of you, because you know exactly what I mean. Heck, like I said, a few years back, I might have been the one saying this and poking fun at Bob.
But if any of you have read my writing over the last few years, you know that I am not against changing the way I do things. I am not against altering my views just because I have thought a certain way for a long period of time. You see, sometimes the things you learn and the things you ingest from others are just not right. They get ingrained into your subconscious mostly from years of hearing the wrong messages. It takes courage, honesty, bravery, and a strong sense of self to adjust your thinking in line with what is actually “the right” thing to do. Just because you develop bad habits and they become part of your make-up, that doesn’t mean you can’t change. Maybe, it’s time to change your make-up! I’m just saying!!!
Anyway, for those of you who want to learn more, there are three awesome books that I have been reading in an attempt to learn more about this powerful and important initiative. The one I mentioned earlier (The Green Book) and these 2:
• Shift Your Habit – Elizabeth Rogers
• National Geographic’s GREEN GUIDE
I have learned so much about being GREEN, the changes that I am making, although minor at this point, make me feel better about my contribution to the future. It seems to me that the GREEN movement is just part of the greater consciousness that I am seeing in this country. A consciousness that gives me hope, even though many of us are still struggling in this difficult economy. Going GREEN is actually something “tangible” that you can do, right now, to make a difference. If each person pitched in, the world is certain to be a better place for our children and their children. I sound like a Politian. :)
If you still think you will be considered a “hippie” if you go GREEN, listen to what actor Owen Wilson says about the GREEN movement. I found this very entertaining.
“I started driving a Prius a few years ago, and I was surprised to find myself a little defensive about it. You know the whole environmental thing; I’d say almost dismissively, ‘it’s actually a pretty cool car to drive.’ It was like halfway apologetic because I didn’t want to be aligned with any group; or movement. But you know how people say that marijuana is the gateway drug? That’s sort of what buying a Prius was for me…in terms of becoming more environmentally sensitive. Because before too long, I stopped wondering if driving it made me some kind of preachy do-gooder, and I actually started looking for other ways to go green. I’m even starting to worry about my carbon footprint. You see, I love this planet, and I love nature, and I love taking walks on the beach at sunset. And if that makes me sound like Miss February filling out here turn-ons in a Playboy bio, so be it”
This is so cool, and right in line with the theme of this blog. Becoming environmentally sensitive is not only the right thing to do, it’s actually now the “cool” thing to do. Go ahead, give it a try. What you are sure to find, like me, is that once you start doing a few small things, you will look for more ways to add this to your lifestyle.
Another key point I would like to make is that going GREEN can actually SAVE you money. Altering a few items in your home, and changing some of your habits will certainly save you money in both the short term and long term. Short term savings: Programmable thermostat, low-flow shower heads, and duel flush toilets to name a few. Also, there are some huge long term savings: Solar panels and LED lighting to name a few. Don’t take my word for it, if you want to examine more details around going GRREN, check out this awesome website:
http://www.greenandsave.com/
This company’s website is packed with excellent information on going GREEN, and I am proud to say that I have met the management team at this company. They have spent many years fine-tuning what it means to be GREEN, and what they have compiled is very impressive. Go ahead, check it out.
In closing, I would like to add this link about Earth Day. Take a few minutes to review what people around the world are doing to make our home a better and safety place to live.
http://www.earthday.net/earthday2010
Earth Day, designated on April 22nd each year, is a day that has been designed to create and inspire awareness and a heightened appreciation for our Earth’s environment. It was actually founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental “teach-in” in 1970. It is celebrated in many countries throughout the world, and has gained some serious momentum over the last several years. Historically, this has been a hot topic that has included major political debates. But not quite as much these days, as more and more folks are jumping on-board. Regardless of where you stand politically, you will not be able to escape the powerful inertia that exists in this arena. Everywhere you turn, someone or something is going GREEN. The movement has not only crossed political boundaries, it has slowly edged into our homes and businesses. How many of you have an Energy Star appliance? I thought so, and the GREEN movement is only going to get bigger. Listen to what Robert Redford said in The Green Book, the best seller written a few years back by Elizabeth Rogers and Thomas M. Kostigen.
“It used to be that people who cared about the environment were called granola heads and tree huggers and treated like kooks. Now they are called visionaries, and tree hugger is a great eco-website, and maybe granola head is, too. It doesn’t matter if you are a Democrat, Republican, or Independent, as the environment and things like global warming know no political affiliation. What has given me hope is that small steps can lead to sea change. As important as is the big picture, there’s a profound power in pulling it down to a manageable scale, to bringing it home, right down to our communities, and taking action with available solutions How we treat the earth says as much about us as a society, about our sprit and strength as a nation”
There are a ton of misconceptions out there regarding going GREEN. Many people think that they will have to sacrifice their current lifestyle if they want to participate, and this could not be further from the truth. Going GREEN means recycling, turning off lights, shopping with re-usable grocery bags, saving water, purchasing more earth friendly products, and basically staying aware of issues regarding the environment. You don’t have to alter your political affiliation, that’s just nonsense. So many people are afraid of actually “doing the right thing” for fear that others will judge them for what they are doing. Afraid that folks might say, “Hey did you see what Bob did to his house? He actually installed solar panels on his roof; he must be changing political parties. Next thing you know he will be holding vigils in his backyard for the trees!” I see some smiles out there from some of you, because you know exactly what I mean. Heck, like I said, a few years back, I might have been the one saying this and poking fun at Bob.
But if any of you have read my writing over the last few years, you know that I am not against changing the way I do things. I am not against altering my views just because I have thought a certain way for a long period of time. You see, sometimes the things you learn and the things you ingest from others are just not right. They get ingrained into your subconscious mostly from years of hearing the wrong messages. It takes courage, honesty, bravery, and a strong sense of self to adjust your thinking in line with what is actually “the right” thing to do. Just because you develop bad habits and they become part of your make-up, that doesn’t mean you can’t change. Maybe, it’s time to change your make-up! I’m just saying!!!
Anyway, for those of you who want to learn more, there are three awesome books that I have been reading in an attempt to learn more about this powerful and important initiative. The one I mentioned earlier (The Green Book) and these 2:
• Shift Your Habit – Elizabeth Rogers
• National Geographic’s GREEN GUIDE
I have learned so much about being GREEN, the changes that I am making, although minor at this point, make me feel better about my contribution to the future. It seems to me that the GREEN movement is just part of the greater consciousness that I am seeing in this country. A consciousness that gives me hope, even though many of us are still struggling in this difficult economy. Going GREEN is actually something “tangible” that you can do, right now, to make a difference. If each person pitched in, the world is certain to be a better place for our children and their children. I sound like a Politian. :)
If you still think you will be considered a “hippie” if you go GREEN, listen to what actor Owen Wilson says about the GREEN movement. I found this very entertaining.
“I started driving a Prius a few years ago, and I was surprised to find myself a little defensive about it. You know the whole environmental thing; I’d say almost dismissively, ‘it’s actually a pretty cool car to drive.’ It was like halfway apologetic because I didn’t want to be aligned with any group; or movement. But you know how people say that marijuana is the gateway drug? That’s sort of what buying a Prius was for me…in terms of becoming more environmentally sensitive. Because before too long, I stopped wondering if driving it made me some kind of preachy do-gooder, and I actually started looking for other ways to go green. I’m even starting to worry about my carbon footprint. You see, I love this planet, and I love nature, and I love taking walks on the beach at sunset. And if that makes me sound like Miss February filling out here turn-ons in a Playboy bio, so be it”
This is so cool, and right in line with the theme of this blog. Becoming environmentally sensitive is not only the right thing to do, it’s actually now the “cool” thing to do. Go ahead, give it a try. What you are sure to find, like me, is that once you start doing a few small things, you will look for more ways to add this to your lifestyle.
Another key point I would like to make is that going GREEN can actually SAVE you money. Altering a few items in your home, and changing some of your habits will certainly save you money in both the short term and long term. Short term savings: Programmable thermostat, low-flow shower heads, and duel flush toilets to name a few. Also, there are some huge long term savings: Solar panels and LED lighting to name a few. Don’t take my word for it, if you want to examine more details around going GRREN, check out this awesome website:
http://www.greenandsave.com/
This company’s website is packed with excellent information on going GREEN, and I am proud to say that I have met the management team at this company. They have spent many years fine-tuning what it means to be GREEN, and what they have compiled is very impressive. Go ahead, check it out.
In closing, I would like to add this link about Earth Day. Take a few minutes to review what people around the world are doing to make our home a better and safety place to live.
http://www.earthday.net/earthday2010
Hi Tony!
ReplyDeleteI can't find the National Geographic’s GREEN GUIDE online. If you have it, could you email me the ISBN - it sounds like it's worth checking out.
Of course it makes sense to be green where we can. I'm sure you think about it often. Being a Father to 5 kids I'm sure you think about the future more than some!
I hope you're well!