One area of my life that I work hard to actively participate in is environmental awareness education. I am studying a theorist that lives in California, and his work has really cemented what I want to do with my life's energy. I want to become a social marketer and help diffuse the "ecocity" innovation. (No matter what my field or position, I will always approach marketing from a broad-based sustainability lens.) Environmental issues are so interconnected that we could never begin to discuss one without touching the other. The ecocity addresses every single ecological issue and demonstrates how we can give hope to our children's futures today by "building cities in balance with nature."
www.ecocitybuilders.org
Environmental degradation poses extreme consequences to all people in all cultures around the world. No matter if one believes that humans play any role in this degradation, or to the extent of that role, the environmental issues we face as a global community are here.
Have we created a culture of convenience that is at the expense of the natural world and its life-sustaining properties? How we treat, or mistreat, nature is a direct reflection of what we value as a culture. Does my lifestyle match my intentions to leave a small footprint? That is the subjective question I have been making progress toward answering in the last few years while striving to ensure my idealized Self matches my realized Self. I know some people do not believe humans play any role in our evolution as a species. But what if we can reduce our ecological footprint and maintain the integrity of the system of life - even for a moment? Isn't it worth a try?
www.myfootprint.org
Broad-based sustainability and biodiversity conservation are at the top of my list. The way I ensure that I am living an authentic life is by how I rear my child. We are reducers first and strive to have recycling be our last resort - zero waste. We are vermiculturists - we compost with earthworms and present to preschools about the benefits of nature's decomposers. Extreme? I think to err on the side of exploitation and degradation is extreme.
Please share your thoughts/questions/comments with me. Even if I see the world differently than you do, I look forward to growing through your perspective. I want to know what you think and what lens you use to view the world.
"In the end, we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we have been taught." Baba Dioum
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Well said, Amy!
ReplyDeleteThe late, and brilliant, George Carlin spoke about how badly we humans abuse the planet, and how the planet will get the last laugh if we don't change our behavior.
If individuals can take small steps in the right direction imagine the impact we can make as a race.
I admire your passion!
Thank you, Todd! It takes a mind-set shift, and I truly believe we have to educate our children to "know better" than to abuse finite resources like we have done.
ReplyDeleteHi Amy,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your post, especially the part about "to err on the side of exploitation and degradation is extreme". I try wherever I can to make a difference in my impact on the earth. I know that in many cases it's a very, very small step, but a lot of these small steps can make a big impact.
Sometimes these changes seem like they will be too difficult, but once you start making them, it's like second nature. For example, at my house we always used to compost, and when I moved out on my own to an apartment where that just was not feasible, it felt really strange to just throw away all of my organic waste. I think it's great that you are instilling these values into your son!
Thanks for posting!
Jessica
Amy,
ReplyDeleteI wish we could all more easily take a page from your book. It is easy to pass the buck and make someone (apprently you) responsible for doing the heavy eco lifting. I'll read your blog with interest and hope some of what you say can rub off on my own practices. I like this topic!
I too am extremely aware and concerned about our environment. Last year, I started recycling in my own home and convinced my family members how it important it was to start recycling. The effects of my efforts were demonstrated that first week I started doing it. My trash can (which is normally packed to the gills by the time garbage day came) was only 1/2 full, but my recycle container was over filled. What was this? I thought to myself...how much stuff used to get thrown away,,that could have been recycled? How much stuff was I dumping into the land fill that could have been reused? In addition to my recycling habits, I have made small changes within my household to conserve energy. Although, it is not nearly enough...I am progressing toward a home that will eventually cut its carbon footprint in half.
ReplyDeleteAs a person who loves nature, I was immediately drawn to the staggering evidence regarding climate change. I have followed with a discerning eye the world that is changing before my eyes.
I cannot say for certain the cause of the changes on our planet, but I can say this...humans do not help.
The amount of coal burned to provide heat to one house during a winter season is ridiculous. Our natural resources are being consumed at an impossible rate and to top it off, our population is exceeding what I believe the planet is capable of supporting. In order for humans to survive, more and more animals are becoming extinct, more and more fertile land is being turned into paved roads, buildings and factories. Our oceans are in the midst of a severe change, where the oceans acidity is killing off the fundamental building blocks of our whole Eco system. Our polar ice caps are melting so quickly that even our models built to predict their extinction is off.
I am fearful for my future, my children's future and the future of all life on this planet if changes do not take place immediately. Some scientist have concluded that it is already to late. I wonder if it is. The amount of C02 has saturated our atmosphere, absorbed to full capacity into the ground and oceans. This mis-balance will cause severe consequences in time to come..and I am afraid that time is not too far off.
Even the nuclear power plants pose a cataclysmic effect, should things go awry. They are everywhere, especially on the east coast of America and through out other counties as well.
It takes more than just talk of change. It takes drastic action...and I mean right now!
We must start using alternative fuels for energy, we must start replenishing the earth, we must cut back on our outrageous consumption of natural resources and engineer new ways to sustain the eco system.