Sometimes while watching the Discovery Channel, they show environmental reality right into our front rooms. Glaciers melting, animals fighting for survival, the wide spread affects of global warming .... right into our front room; right into our faces and it's no longer "out there somewhere, some place far from our family or yours".
But what can I/We do that really makes a difference. When feeling overwhelmed it is
often we tend to do nothing, as if paralyzed like a deer in the head lights or like the concept "I don't see the elephant standing in my front room".
Well, here are just a few ideas and the why!
First rule for success .... make small changes and start TODAY.
1. We use on an average 22,ooo paper napkins per person per year. That is 6 2ply napkins person equaling 1 Billion pounds of paper waste going to landfills each year. Action step: Switch to cloth napkins. Go to your local thrift store, dollar store or even Wal-Mart. I found 4 simple yet pretty white napkins for $2.69. We invested in 4 sets (16) for only $10.76 plus tax. When soiled they just go into the laundry with our Goes Green laundry detergent which is non toxic to the earth. Job done!
2. Bottled Water .... wow ... now that is something the average family uses often for both connivance and health issues. The money we spend on bottled water in the US each year is outrageous. With it we could have fresh clean water for every person in the world. Now that is BIG! Action step: Get reusable water bottles (often available in co-op health stores, REI or other Out-Door camping stores) or recycle something you bought juice in (food safe). I found a wonderful bottle at my REI camping store that has a filter (with extra filters) which is even safe to fill from streams and lakes while hiking, let alone from my kitchen sink. New Wave enviro Products makes a bottle that is NOT from plastic but Corn based with filter. Can be reused 90 times! go to http://www.newwaveenviro.com OR check out your local food co-op and give them your support.
3. How about dryer sheets that can really be recycled! Yea! GO GREEN dryer sheets.They are: Nontoxic, Natural, No fragrance, Biodegradable and Recyclable sheets.
Watch for more Little Shifts Make a Big Difference!
Unto 7th Generation
Some say: "The Earth is our Mother; we should take care of her." While others think the Earth is an easy receptacle for our wastes and toxins. How can I, one person or even one family, really make a difference? And is it that important anyway?
We see so much hype on TV and in newspapers on the growing devestation of the earth's environment and the loss of so many species of animals, plants and trees. The oceans are becoming a sewer but when I look around my neighborhood it is so easy to just not see the problem.
So is it hype or is it time to aweaken to the fact that this is the only world we live on and the one we are leaving to our children and grandchildren. I appreciate the teaching of many native people I've been privilaged to work with and study with in different areas of the world. Often they say "unto the 7th generation" when making decisions. In other words .... STOP and consider how this action or non action will affect future generations.
If someone were to come along and dump a load of garbage in your front yard, I'd assume uou'd be a bit miffed yet daily we are dumping and dumping and dumping into the waterways, earth and skies that hold the very elements you and I need for survival.
So let us talk about it and find solutions that we can do to make a difference!
We see so much hype on TV and in newspapers on the growing devestation of the earth's environment and the loss of so many species of animals, plants and trees. The oceans are becoming a sewer but when I look around my neighborhood it is so easy to just not see the problem.
So is it hype or is it time to aweaken to the fact that this is the only world we live on and the one we are leaving to our children and grandchildren. I appreciate the teaching of many native people I've been privilaged to work with and study with in different areas of the world. Often they say "unto the 7th generation" when making decisions. In other words .... STOP and consider how this action or non action will affect future generations.
If someone were to come along and dump a load of garbage in your front yard, I'd assume uou'd be a bit miffed yet daily we are dumping and dumping and dumping into the waterways, earth and skies that hold the very elements you and I need for survival.
So let us talk about it and find solutions that we can do to make a difference!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
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