What are you doing for Earth Day?

I'm a big fan of the earth so it's a major holiday for me.

It seems like each year the “celebration” gets a little smaller and a lot more commercial.

I swear I have seen corporate marketing done for Earth Day on Styrofoam!

While I certainly don't mind going to a celebration of some sort,

I think that it should be to reinforce more of a mind set than a party.

I try to keep the spirit of the thing more low key and personal.

So, what are you going to do?

Spend more time picking up trash, plant a tree, resolve to ride your bike more, tend the garden etc.

Good habits to be sure but there are more important issues facing us and future generations.

Take Styrofoam for example.

Can anyone tell me why we use a material that never decomposes for single use applications?

How about those plastic carry out bags?

Same deal.

Either that stuff ends up in a land fill or it ends up in the ocean.

There is virtually no where else for it to go.

What can YOU do?

Bring your own bags to the store, it's not that hard.

Even if you only do it half the time it helps.

There in a bill in California (AB 1358) to ban Styrofoam containers.

Google the bill and check it out.

If you agree, support it with emails to your representatives.

Tell your friends!

OK, here is today's home assignment

Think about what you consume

Consider, for a moment where these things come from, how they are produced, handled and or manufactured.

Is there a great deal of waste involved in their production?

Are toxic chemicals used as a part of the production process?

Do they need to be transported from far away?

Are they over wrapped?

If it breaks, can it be fixed or do you have to throw it away and buy a new one?

Now ask your self, do I really need it?

How likely will it end up in a land fill in a year?

Does it seem a bit much?

I'll leave you with the following thought to ponder.

“True affluence is not needing anything” - Gary Snyder

PS I posted this early so you would have some time to think about it.