A Brave New World

If you care enough to read this you probably understand the basics of  ‘going green.’  But how do we convince the masses that much of our culture is just a big fat marketing scheme to induce consumerism? 

Image was found at http://goodbrew.com.au/news/100102rainbow.html

This is some of what is happening where I live in Hawaii:

• Recycle Hawaii – recycling centers that take mixed recycling (metals, plastics, glass) as well as household items, toys, shoes and clothing.  The usable items are sold at garage sale prices to pay the salaries of the staff.
• ReStore– Habitat for Humanity’s version of the above recycling center only there’s more of a focus on furniture and building materials.
• A plastic bag ban– Maui county will cease the use of plastic bags on the whole island on January 11, 2011.

 So if we all start riding only bicycles, using only solar or wind power, planting gardens, using reusable shopping bags, and eliminating the use of plastic tomorrow will we be able to completely reduce our collective human carbon footprint to zero and save the world from ourselves?  Unfortunately, no.  We have created a huge mess and even if we  stop producing all the things that contribute to it, the mess remains.  But will we make the world a better place and teach our children how to make better choices? YES!

What is Our Legacy?

We in America use it everyday: storing food, food packaging, drink containers, dishes, toys, toothbrushes, computer hardware, etc., etc.  After we use it we “throw it away.”  I’m asking, where is “away?” 

I’m finding out that there is no good place for it- landfills, oceans, rivers, birds, fish- and only 5% gets recycled. 

Ten Ideas to Reduce Plastic in My Life and in Our World: 

1. reusable shopping bags
2. refillable lighters
3. recyclable toothbrushes
4. food items packed in glass
5. growing my own vegetables and other produce
6. refillable metal or glass water containers
7. reusable produce bags
8. be vigilant about getting what I use recycled
9. pick up litter
10. stop buying it in as many ways as possible

I’m going to try harder to reduce and eliminate plastic from my life.  Will you?

WTF can I do about it?

I recently saw ‘National Geographic: Collapse’ on Netflix and had the knot in the pit of my stomach double in size.  If you have not seen this, here’s a quick summary:  Imagine its the year 2210 and the survivors of earth are sifting through the remains trying to figure out how the planet got to be so messed up.  Enter some authors on global collapse, a psychologist who explains why we humans just can’t seem to react to this issue, and a few archaeologists who have tried to figure out why other ancient civilizations have collapsed ie. Rome, Anasazi, and Maya.  I am a parent, and I am seriously concerned about the global issues my child will face in her future.

If you still have doubts on whether or not we are affecting our world, I refer you to the following:

• An Inconvenient Truth
• Blue Gold: World Water Wars
• the Great Pacific Garbage Patch
• the Great Atlantic Garbage Patch
• The Future of Food

(Feel free to add to this list!!!)

So, WTF can I do about it?  Well, hold on kiddies, cause it’s going to be a bumpy ride.  I plan to answer this question in as many ways as I can, as often as possible, because the time to act was yesterday…

Is it all just doom and gloom?  No, there will be laughter, sing-alongs and snacks on our journey.  Until there’s a giant rocket and an earth analogue destination, we’re in this together!