An Inconvenient Truth

Well, last night actually brought some sleep (if late), so hopefully that was the beginning of getting back to a more "normal" schedule. Apart from adjusting some more, we went to see the movie "An Inconvenient Truth" today and we can only encourage everyone to go see it! It's a well-done movie about a topic that concerns all of us (it certainly should). Yes, it's the Al Gore movie on Global Warming, but if that for some reason speaks against seeing it, the facts speak for seeing it - and seriously considering some action in everyday life. If you can't or don't want to make it to the movie, maybe take a moment to check out the website: www.climatecrisis.net You can calculate your household's CO2 emission and you are provided with numerous ways you can do something to stop destroying this planet of ours...from changing lightbulbs (to a compact fluorescent one) to recycling, carpooling, adjusting your thermostat, turning off lights and appliances when you don't use them to signing up for green energy units (Tennesseans, check out http://www.tva.gov/greenpowerswitch/), signing petitions to urge the States to ratify the Kyoto Protocol or writing letters to congress. For the most part these are really things that take VERY little effort or money and end up saving you money, in fact. For all who haven't seen it yet, especially in the Tennessee area, check out the movie Kilowatt (H)Ours by Jeff Barrie, too. Similar issue: How can pollution and energy use be cut in the Southern US by all of us to stop the vast and destructive amount of coalmining that's going on? Check it out, it's another fabulous movie with great hands-on-tipps and not a boring fact-after-fact-lecture at all! We own it if you want to borrow it, by the way...
Well, I needed to get that off my chest. It never feels like one alone can make a difference. But thinking that all of us may just do a little something in everyday life (like using reusable or paper bags when shopping, recycling plastic, cans and paper, changing lightbulbs, turning off lights, etc.) and spread the word, one soon becomes a group of people whose efforts combined can, indeed, make a difference. And knowing that takes some of the helplessness, apathy and frustration out of it, don't you think? And at this point I really do believe absolutely NOBODY has an excuse for not doing something. Nobody. None of us want to know our (grand)kids inherit an environmental mess that causes more Katrinas, floodings, droughts, tsunamis and ultinmately wars, famines and the spread of diseases. Being democrat or republican or being a sceptic or not having time, etc. just doesn't cut it I believe ... think about it! We all share the same environment after all, no matter what side of the political spectrum we're on and how much or how little we care about politics. Ultimately I don't think caring about our environment is a political issue. It should be in all of our interests to keep this planet inhabitable. Wouldn't you agree?

Alright, that much from Lydia the teacher. It had to be, I just get too passionate about these issues.

P.S. Just to show you that we actually walk the walk a bit ourselves... We have changed all of our lightbulbs, we recycle plastic, paper, cans and compost kitchen waste in our yard (makes GREAT soil and costs nothing!). We carpool, walk or take the bus whenever possible. We pay for one green power unit every month (150 kwh for only $4 a month). We try to keep our house adequately cold or warm (it's supposed to be a bit colder in the winter and a bit warmer in the summer, after all). We try to use the dryer as little as possible and dry our clothes on the line. We try to buy local products to reduce shipping costs and as part of that we have recently joined a community supported organic farm by buying a share that in turn allows us to pick up fresh, locally and organically grown veggies every week until fall.
So, it is possible to do something, even with little time and money!

If you have ideas on additional steps we can take, we'd love to hear them, obviously...