I have always held a particular life view: hope for the best and prepare for the worst. I have recently spent more time thinking about my impact on the environment and how my religious convictions require that I be more proactive. We have discussed several issues on this blog ranging from Christian beliefs to Star Trek; however, we have yet to put forth any real life, everyday solutions. I don’t think that there is a magical solution or that the majority of people will wake up one day and decide to take better care of the earth. I personally believe that many people are unaware of what goes on around them. Not that they chose not to care, but they simply don’t think about it. My intentions therefore are to lay out realistic and effective ways that we can make a difference for our planet, as examples to others, and to fulfill our sacred stewardship.
There are two phrases that I have heard frequently throughout my life. The first is a saying I learned in the third grade: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. The second I heard in Primary: Use it up, Wear it out, Make it do, or Do without. Something simple we can all do is try to recycle. If you already do, great job and keep it up. If you don’t, then there is never a time like the present. You don’t even have to burn yourself out with recycling everything you ever use, start small with something like newspaper and cardboard boxes.
Another thing we can all do is try to be smarter consumers. Consuming goods in America is a just a fact of life. Whenever you buy a new appliance you can’t ask for one without all of the packaging. What we can do is buy the cereal that comes in a bag instead of a box and a bag, drink more water and spare the pop cans, and buy bulk instead of individually wrapped. You can also buy things second hand where possible- saving you packaging and money. When you go hunting, only hunt what you are willing to eat. When you drive a car, if you have the option, carpool or take the car that is better suited to individual travel- not the SUV etc.
Sooner or later most of us will buy a home. We can make that home a modest one, one that is suited to our needs more than our pride. With that house we can plant a garden and trees etc. These things will not only lessen our personal impact on our environment, but they will enable us to stay close to nature and to teach our children and loved ones to respect and cherish the source of our mortal nourishment and home.
There are so many things that we can do as individuals to create a better tomorrow today and a better future for everyone. I believe the key is to willingly sit down and decide what it is that you, as an individual person, need and want within reason. We then have to be both willing and able to make goals with our natural surroundings in mind. I honestly believe that is we think about it, it is really doable.
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Thanks for posting this. I was thinking about how we hadn't talked about specific solutions in this blog. Good to hear some of your ideas.
ReplyDeleteI once heard Dr. Rogers in mammalogy say that he has to live in Salt lake City due to certain circumstances yet he drives a toyota prius and drives 60mph in the carpool lane. When people pile up behind him instead of getting upset he thinks of all the other people he is forcing to drive 60 and thereby reduce emissions.
ReplyDeleteA reasonable approach to a reasonable problem. It was by the everyday choices of people that the problem was magnified, and by the same means we can resolve it. It's like when as a child you stuck your hand through a hole just barely big enough for it to fit in, and when you cried to mom, the response was: "If you can get it in there, you can get it out." If we can get ourselves into trouble, we most certainly can get out of it.
ReplyDeleteYour blog reminds me of the story of the starfish. I's sure everyone has heard it before, but the moral of the story is that you can make a difference to one. That one can be your kids, your neighbors etc. By recycling and or strating to recycle you will make a difference to someone and the idea will continue.
ReplyDeleteAs we make an effort to do better without going completely overboard others will notice and want to do the same. Many people want to take better care of the earth, they just don't know how easy it is to incorporate simple things to their lives.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that I have been very impressed with on campus is the number of recycling apparatuses. Everything from colored paper, newspaper, plastic, and aluminum can be recycled. The only thing they're missing is glass. I really appreciated you giving specific examples. Every little bit helps!
ReplyDeleteGreat point that we haven't discussed practical ways to put some of our new ideas into use. For some interesting global warming solution ideas, I encourage you to check out David Keith's talk on ted.com; he has some interesting ideas about how to combat mankinds negative influences on the environment.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your optimism! We can all do our part in helping the environment. The best advice you gave was to start small with recycling here and there. It's actual doctrine that "by small and simple means" does God bring about great things. I am a proponent to buying USA goods too. There's nothing like a good American product. With that said, I also like the Volkswagon Manual Jetta diesel car that I drive that gets upward to 48 miles to the gallon on the freeway...no joke I have measured it multiple times. I'm just waiting until America will wake up and start making diesel cars. They last forever (they found a Mercedes Benz diesel car in Europe with over 900,000 miles on it!!!) and get fantastic gas mileage.
ReplyDeleteI agree, it begins with us, and although we aren't always aware of it, we do make an impression on others. We have a chance teach our children correct principles in conservation through our actions and the lessons we teach them.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog, I'm enthusiastic and impressed at your concern and respect for environment. Good work!