Erasing Our Footprint
Flickr photo by Daniel Rodrigues Gomes
Today is another day devoted to going green and saving the earth. This time, it is the United Nations’ change their way of thinking.
As part of World Environment Day, Yahoo! Canada Answers is pleased to have journalist Alan Weisman, author of the international best-seller The World Without Us, ask a question. The World Without Us is a fascinating vision of what would happen to the earth if humans suddenly disappeared. Alan’s question focuses on another aspect of human extinction, namely the knowledge that any species that outstrips its resources will become extinct. Humans have certainly stretched our own resource base, with alarming consequences for the planet. Alan asks how can we best bring humanity into balance with the rest of nature, as opposed to in mortal combat with it?
The UN is focusing World Environment Day on reducing greenhouse gases. That is a task that is mainly in the hands of big business, but each person must do his or her part. Talking about saving energy and green products may not seem to accomplish much, but if you could get your whole neighbourhood talking, imagine the possibilities.
Businesses sometimes need an extra push to go green, because doing things the old-fashioned way is easier. If we all refuse to buy things that have lots of packaging, though, it may force these companies to think about the extra waste they are creating.
If public transit and bike paths in your community are in shambles, take your complaint to city hall. With the price of gas rising every day, an efficient transit system can help the whole city. Bike paths will not only save you cash, but give you that work-out you have been meaning to do since New Year’s.
We know it’s not feasible for everyone to install solar panels at your house, but unplugging things isn’t so hard. If we all change our ways and shape up, maybe “green” and “environmentally-friendly” will no longer be buzzwords kept aside for specific days, but just something we all are in our everyday lives.
Stephanie
We must accept responsibility for our urban ecology.
We must accept that humans are also part of nature.
We must green our urban and industrial sites.
I have found a way to green sloped wood frame roofs, with a system that is water proof, wind resistant and of a conventional weight for wood frame homes and buildings.
Looking for a co-venture with interested parties.
I believe that I am a long-time pro-nature proponent. However, I become frustrated whenever I hear ‘zero footprint’. We live here too! The goal should be a respectful footprint.
I believe we have become addicted to consumerism and consumerism at any cost. What would it take for each of us to take our own cloth bag to the store? What would it take to pour ourselves a glass of water instead of throwing away plastic bottles? In order to find the balance, we need to be responsible for all ends of the consumer cycle and that includes disposing of the waste. If we were but to be the least bit aware, we would be abhored at what we are doing to, not only our environment, but also our future generations. Live from compassion, unlimited compassion and every day find one way - however small - the limit the pain inflicted on this environment which has done such a splendid job supporting the human race.
Rev. Sharon Clements posted some rather broad statements. I will play “Devil’s Advocate” by responding to some of the statements with another side of the issue(s) to show that the answers provided are not so simple and straight forward as presented. Very few things in life are black and white with no grey areas in between.
The first comment: “I believe we have become addicted to consumerism and consumerism at any cost.” How else does one buy the things they need to eat, go to work/school/live, etc.? Long ago people bartered their services or things the other person wanted for something they wanted in return. This is a well known fact. It will never go away. It doesn’t matter. There is always a need for food, clothing, shelter and items/services required for making one look their best (hair cuts, soaps, etc.), modes of transport, physicians for healing/diagnostics, and some even feel places of worship are necessary. So to say we have “become” addicted is almost like saying we’ve become addicted to eating and sleeping. It is a natural and necessary activity for basic living.
Second comment: “What would it take for each of us to take our own cloth bag to the store?” It depends. Do we purchase them already made or buy the material, thread, needle(s), some kind of reinforcements for areas of wear’n'tear areas, something to make the bottom strong to hold the weight, etc. Hey why not put wheels on the bag and handle and presto! We also have our own cart! That way we are responsible for taking our own cart home. The store won’t have to clear the many carts people are too lazy to put back into line with others or put into the designated areas in the lots so that the parking lot is safe and clear for the vehicles that have come from a distance to shop there. They also don’t have to pay to replace those people take home that isn’t theirs. They don’t have to replace those that get damaged because people just ram into them to get them out of the way. This in turn keeps prices down in the store. Imagine that! We’ve come a long ways from not using a bunch of plastic bags that end up in the garbage yard but we’ve also prevented some other things from being put in there too! The carts along with their rubber wheels, plastic buckles and such!
Third comment: “What would it take to pour ourselves a glass of water instead of throwing away plastic bottles?” That is great if you are within reach of a place that has glasses and a tap that pours clean drinkable water! However if you are on a hike and you want a drink of water, would you stop and pull out a glass and dip it into a lake and drink the water? Not knowing if the water is safe to drink? Or riding a bike and are thirsty, open your backpack, get your glass out and the only thing around is a puddle, are you game to drink from the puddle? Or you are travelling in another country where the travel advisory suggests strongly buying bottled water rather than risk catching diseases, would you take along your glass and still drink their water from a tap? It is easy to criticise and say lets go back to the way things were back when. However, back then, people didn’t travel like we do today. Jumping continents was a pipe dream for most. Now having said that much, there is a problem with plastic bottles and that is a chemical used in them can make people sick. This chemical is used in just about all plastic including baby bottles. If a new type of plastic could be created to be more durable and safe to use over and over, it wouldn’t need to end up in the waste yards. They could then be used to carry water from home on a bike trip, hiking, etc. It’s a thought at least.
Fourth comment: “If we were but to be the least bit aware, we would be abhored at what we are doing to, not only our environment, but also our future generations” I think a good majority of people are aware. The problem is that about half if not more just don’t care. They only think of themselves figuring that they are only one. Surely one little ol’ plastic bag, cigarette butt, beer bottle, etc. isn’t going to matter. Times that by 500,000 people every 30 minutes, that adds up after awhile. While the older generation - baby boomers have become more aware and more conscientious about what they are doing, it is the teenagers today who think nothing of buying a pizza and throwing the empty box out of the window of the car later, or any kind of fast food store purchases. With all the internet warnings, radio and TV advertisements, etc. and they still do it. Sound familiar? We can only teach the kids and show by action. Until they are ready to accept that they too must do their part, they will be kids.
Fifth comment: “Live from compassion, unlimited compassion and every day find one way - however small - the limit the pain inflicted on this environment which has done such a splendid job supporting the human race.” I do agree in part with this. We can all do something to lessen our “footprint” on the earth and in the environment. Even things like slowing down and doing the speed limits. Get up early so you can take your time getting to where you need to go is an example. On hot days, accept that it is hot and don’t do so much that you absolutely have to have the a/c on. Unless it is for medical reasons such as air quality, it is then understandable. Even then, you should still be able to keep it from actually being too cool (or cold). If the a/c unit is doing its job and the filter is clean and changed regularly, then you should be able to remain reasonably cool at 23 degree instead of needing a 21 degree room. If you are at home and it is very hot, take some ice from your drink of water and let it melt over your face, extremities, etc. It is doesn’t cost any more but it does cool you down for a bit. If a room is too cold and you go out in hot, humid weather repeatedly, you can develop bronchitis and pneumonia easily. There are many good sites on the internet that will offer up ideas to save the environment and the earth. Find some ideas and try them out. Ask your favourite grocer to consider different packaging. Offering discounts for people who bring their own containers for the purchases such as meat, vegetables and fruit, etc. Another idea would be to go back to the milkman days to using bottles. That went out what - twenty five years or so ago? Think of ways of lowering your footprint. In the end, it could save you money as well. Would be great if it turns into a win-win situation all around!
The world has a human population FIVE times what it should have.
The best thing we can wish for is a short virulent plague that reduces the worlds population to 20% of the present number.
Then we can have a world where everyone can have the type of life we all would like to have without destroying every other species.
There are just too many humans around today for the world to be manageable.
I so appreciate Za’s comments as they pointed out that I so short-circuited by comments in a moment of passion.
1. Addiction of Consumerism - I was greatly moved by the “Story of Stuff”. yes we need things, but so often we buy even when we don’t ‘need’. The stat that 99% of what we buy is no longer being used in 6 months made me re-evaluate by shopping habits.
2. Whether it be bags or carts, we have become so sanitized from the total cycle of the life of stuff, we inadvertantly put stress on the system through lack of knowledge and old habits and a need for a quick whatever to stay on schedule to the demands of the day. If we were personally responsible for all our garbage… And I personally have along way to go on this. But I believe even baby steps help - refuse the bag at a fast food restaurant. Take your own coffee cup…
3. Plastic Water bottles - useable bottles work really well in plastic of disposable plastic. Just takes a little more pre-planning.
4. Yes we are getting educated, we are waking up little by little. Now we need to change the culture. At one time not long ago, it was acceptable to smoke in the movie theatres, in the grocery stores and now it’s not. Over packaging, over consumption, over-anything can be shifted to a new norm of responsbility and reasonableness.
5. And isn’t it great that this is a topic of conversation! It’s the only way we’ll get to think and act differently. Time to Up Our Consciousness!
“Our consciousness is our real environment. The outer environment is always in correspondence to the thoughts making up our consciousness.” – Charles Fillmore
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Previous comments are thoughtful and interesting.
However,the wholeof Europe and Japan as well have a birth rate of 1.5.
To maintain our present population it would have to be 2.5.
The result is that both Europe and Japan will have some 60 million fewer people in the next generation.