We all agree the planet is in a world of hurt. Global warming. Water scarcity. Famine. Disease. Population growth is out of control. The oceans are polluted. Our bees are dying. The list goes on.
We elect leaders to address these problems. But let’s face it, Congress is not going to fix these problems. Not the world’s problems, not even America’s problems. SCOTUS is intent on protecting business and religious interests, not saving the planet. Even a progressive President is powerless to change the world alone.
However, each and every one of us can do something that can help. We can do something TODAY, and something again TOMORROW. And we can spread the word and inspire others to do something too. And if we do enough, we can fix this.
What did you do to help heal the planet today? And complaining about Republican obstruction and SCOTUS intransigence is not the right answer. Forgive me for preaching, but this is important. If our leaders won’t lead on these issues, then we, as individuals, have to lead from behind.
Some ideas below the fold.
Carbon is the greatest threat to the planet today. Congress refuses to act and the EPA can only do so much. What can each of us do to reduce our carbon footprint?
Use less gasoline. If you drive an inefficient vehicle, get a new one. Get a bicycle and ride it to work once a week. Consolidate your errands instead of driving to the store every day. If the errand is less than a km (2 km? 3 km?), then walk. Turn your weekly shopping trip into cardiovascular exercise, make it a routine. Kill 2 birds.
Use less energy. Turn your thermostat down one degree in the winter, up one in the summer. Wear a sweater in the winter. Caulk your windows and doors. If you have any incandescent bulbs in your home, replace them tomorrow. Install a solar panel. If you leave lights, appliances, or TVs on when you are not using them, well, stop it.
Do you use elevators? Well, don’t. Find the stairs. Make it a rule - the elevator is OK for a climb of 3 flights or more, or carrying 10 kg or more. Down? Never OK. Unless you are injured or disabled! You will reach your destination faster, use less energy, gain a free cardio workout, and maybe even lose some weight in the bargain. And you will never die in an elevator accident.
Access to clean water is a huge problem. If you open your tap and potable water comes out, be thankful - you are in a minority on this planet. If you live in Texas, West Virginia, North Dakota, Louisiana, or even California, your tap water may be flammable. In India the population is desperate. Over 250,000 Indian farmers - mostly cotton farmers - have committed suicide since 1995 because the 20-meter wells they dug a few decades ago to irrigate their farms now need to go to 200 or 300 meters or more, and they have no money left to dig.
Please conserve water. Do you take 20 minute showers? Cut them in half. (If you haven’t purchased a low-flow shower head with a shutoff valve, get one at Amazon or your local hardware for around ten bucks.) Your toilet wastes many gallons per day. Replace your tank mechanism with a dual flush converter (around $20). If you aren’t handy with plumbing, ask your wife or daughter to show you (it’s not hard), or call a plumber. And fix those leaks.
Do you have a lawn? Grass is notoriously water hungry. Consider replacing at least half your lawn with drought resistant landscaping appropriate for your climate. Give your landscaper or your local handyman a job.
What about pollution? Plastic debris is clogging the world’s oceans and killing wildlife (our food source) in dramatic fashion. Not to mention the energy required to manufacture plastic items. Carry cloth bags and use them whenever you shop – no more plastic. Use paper cups instead of plastic; glass, china and metalware instead of plastic or paper. And never use Styrofoam if you can avoid it. Recycle. If you see trash, pick it up.
Support the arts in your community. Volunteer for something. It will help you feel better about yourself, and optimistic about the future.
And finally, spend some money on causes you believe in. Take a look at your last pay stub. Calculate one percent of your gross. Write a check. Virtually all charitable organizations in the US rely on private donations for their survival, and the vast majority of their donors send small amounts. If you believe in feeding the homeless, make a contribution to Oxfam America or Feeding America. If you want to curb the world’s population growth, contribute to Population Connection. To provide medical services for refugees in war zones, send a check to Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders). To support the environment, join the Sierra Club, or Nature Conservancy, or the National Wildlife Federation. If you want legal justice for victims of oppression, support the Southern Poverty Law Center. For women’s reproductive health, Planned Parenthood. To support a woman’s right to choose, help the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL). The United Way is an umbrella organization that provides local charitable services across a spectrum of agencies. Donate your old clothes and household goods to Goodwill or Salvation Army. All these organizations need your help - and they work.
I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know. I AM asking you to do a little more, even if you already do a lot. Find a cause and commit to it. Most of these ideas are not difficult.
Keep track of your successes. Keep a journal, write down one thing every day, and one idea for tomorrow. Tell your neighbors, your friends, your kids, your parents. Get them to do the same. Be a steward for planet Earth. Spread the word.