Warning: this is a rant. Everything is complicated. Some statements oversimplify, but they are not meant to be taken out of context. Obviously there are nuances and some of the things below should be viewed as headers, not details. I was just getting my thoughts out.
This is what I want from my elected officials:
1. Be aware that you are holding a title of respect and that people elected you because they thought you would look out for the good of the community.
2. LOOK OUT FOR THE GOOD OF THE COMMUNITY. NOT THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY ONLY. CITIZENS. Real citizens. Corporations are not citizens.
3. BE fiscally responsible. Seriously, don't spend $ if we don't have $ or intend to pay it back. Don't take on everyone's debt load. Don't let the financial institutions get away with having no risks. Don't be those guys. Responsible citizens work hard and pay their debts. Responsible community members take pride and pay their taxes so they can get basic community things taken care of: first responders, trash pick up (and stored temporarily in a waste site), parks, courts, libraries etc... so prioritize these things and make sure they happen.
4. Be Ecologically responsible. I want to live on this planet for several more decades. I assume my friends and their kids and my kids when I have them, and their kids, and all those other kids on the other side of the world do too. I'd appreciate it if you didn't vote against my and your own self interest when it comes to creating a biosphere that allows us to breathe, and eat and drink clean water. Those other animals and trees some people say they don't care about pollinate your food, keep diseases in check, make people happier when they see them, combat anxiety, protect against flooding and storm surges, provide shelter, inspiration, and filter water. And you especially can't have the energy that powers your home, the bricks or lumber that built your house or the textiles that clothe you. Don't act like you don't care. If you don't care about those things, you can't survive.
5. This means sometimes business interests go AFTER, let me say this again, AFTER, your community. We are citizens. NOT consumers. Not all of us are shareholders of that one company in your district, and if company X in your district is flowing gross crap into our waterways, yeah. be a woman/man and stand up to them. We elected you to do that. And if someone comes to you and sells you something trying to say well but my job my job, explain that their job will be better if the waterways are clean. Give companies some time to create a remediation plan and then fix it. But be reasonable, like 1 -2 years. Seriously, don't give them forever, we don't have forever. Innovation comes out of necessity and almost always people rise to the challenge when they have a fixed time limit to get something done.
6. STAY away from religious discussions. Separation of church and state. Remember it. Value it. Respect it. Do not hold public hearings or discussions about abortion, creationism or any other specific to one religion view. These do not belong in the public sphere, except in extenuating circumstances in which facts take precedent over beliefs. i.e. in a rape trial, or a medical discussion. All religions have different perspectives. Respect that. Encourage the courts to respect that. Allow people to say whatever they want to their fellow citizen so long as they aren't inciting violence, attempting to overthrow the government en masse (when it's not actually warranted) or being extraordinarily discriminatory on public property.
7. PROTECT AND RESPECT YOUR ENVIRONMENT. we only get one. Really, we only get one.
8. Never tell people that business and the environment can't both win. They can. and usually the best companies are the ones who do. Look at Unilever, Patagonia, Xerox, Interface, and more...
9. People are who we hurt when we don't consider social issues.
10. Resources are what we waste when we don't act like human beings to one another. i.e. those idiots calling the cops as pranks. That's money. Wasted.
11. Civility and pride in ones community are necessary for thriving neighborhoods. Allow it to grow and flourish. Be proud of where you came from. Help people invest.
12. Someone has to pay for it, but there are several people with big pockets, and if a company doesn't want to cover it, guess what.... You're paying for it, this means healthcare, the environment, homelessness, etc... SO be financially responsible with your pork requests, and tax break modifications etc... it's all connected somehow, so when one person decides not to pay for something, SOMEONE ELSE, usually a poorer someone else, may be impacted worse. Just think about that. Really think about it before you make your decisions.
This all goes to say that if a candidate can demonstrate to me that they genuinely care about their community, act in a way that's consistent with their words, they will earn my respect and my support, regardless of party. Also, our community is global and local. Don't limit yourself to what can and should be done. What's right is right, even if it benefits someone elses' community. because it all come back full circle.
SO guess what Congress, and the UN, this means you! Shape up. Fighting and refusing to negotiate is not a strategy. It's pathetic and maddening. Reach compromise. Stop demonizing. We have a planet and an economy and our basic sense of citizenship to save.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Sunday, May 12, 2013
400 ppm
This week, the Mauna Loa Observatory reported an incredibly terrifying measurement; we are now living at a time where the carbon dioxide levels have reached 400 ppm. This means of course that we are failing at curving or addressing climate change. Our world has not experienced this level of CO2 concentration in a very long time.
Of course, if you were to look outside, life seems ok in America. People are blissfully going about their day. Where I am today, the sun is shining and the birds are chirping. Most people didn't pay attention to this noteworthy piece of news. And yet, I am personally dismayed and confused. I want to quit my job and do something directly related to inspiring climate action, and simultaneously push to start a climate adaptation company, because i'm losing faith in our ability to get anything big done without a lot of people having to significantly adjust their lifestyles due to the coming consequences. AND get everyone else on the planet to do so too.
Every second that we spend not working on climate action is another second wasted. But, I don't know what to do: the rest of the world depends on money. I have to pay my rent. I have to pay my student loans. I have to pay my credit cards. I can't just quit and leave. I'm sure other people are in the same situation, and many have it worse.
Maybe the problem is too big? Maybe the words we've been using are inaccessible to most people? Climate change is so polarized now that people shut off as soon as they realize they are talking about it. and, what's worse, we haven't successfully and collectively succeeded in getting just one ask, or breaking it into pieces to get one ask for all the several different elements that are linked into a climate system.
I know a lot of people have put a great deal of thought into how we can get the most people to participate without getting everyone on the planet to participate. I really do think Amory Lovin's book Reinventing Fire is one roadmap that we could follow. Sandalow also put some thought into a wedge technology theory many years ago.
we need action and we need it now, or a lot of people will be more than just "inconvenienced" - a lot of people are going to become sick, ill, impoverished, or displaced, or worse.* There's no one to blame for this situation but ourselves. I'm willing to take my share of the blame. Are you?
(*This is what I mean: sick when disease vectors change and bugs carrying diseases start to flourish in new areas, ill when heat waves last for days and not enough water is available due to the drought, impoverished when they can't pay the insurance they'll need on their homes because they are in flood plains or near large brush fires, displaced when they can't drink the water on their islands, and then have to go live in an entirely new country which is the reality for those in lowlying islands and spaces, like the Maldives, the Mariana Islands, Manhattan, the Netherlands, worse when natural disasters strike and many casualties are lost due to the increase in intensity of storms)
Of course, if you were to look outside, life seems ok in America. People are blissfully going about their day. Where I am today, the sun is shining and the birds are chirping. Most people didn't pay attention to this noteworthy piece of news. And yet, I am personally dismayed and confused. I want to quit my job and do something directly related to inspiring climate action, and simultaneously push to start a climate adaptation company, because i'm losing faith in our ability to get anything big done without a lot of people having to significantly adjust their lifestyles due to the coming consequences. AND get everyone else on the planet to do so too.
Every second that we spend not working on climate action is another second wasted. But, I don't know what to do: the rest of the world depends on money. I have to pay my rent. I have to pay my student loans. I have to pay my credit cards. I can't just quit and leave. I'm sure other people are in the same situation, and many have it worse.
Maybe the problem is too big? Maybe the words we've been using are inaccessible to most people? Climate change is so polarized now that people shut off as soon as they realize they are talking about it. and, what's worse, we haven't successfully and collectively succeeded in getting just one ask, or breaking it into pieces to get one ask for all the several different elements that are linked into a climate system.
I know a lot of people have put a great deal of thought into how we can get the most people to participate without getting everyone on the planet to participate. I really do think Amory Lovin's book Reinventing Fire is one roadmap that we could follow. Sandalow also put some thought into a wedge technology theory many years ago.
we need action and we need it now, or a lot of people will be more than just "inconvenienced" - a lot of people are going to become sick, ill, impoverished, or displaced, or worse.* There's no one to blame for this situation but ourselves. I'm willing to take my share of the blame. Are you?
(*This is what I mean: sick when disease vectors change and bugs carrying diseases start to flourish in new areas, ill when heat waves last for days and not enough water is available due to the drought, impoverished when they can't pay the insurance they'll need on their homes because they are in flood plains or near large brush fires, displaced when they can't drink the water on their islands, and then have to go live in an entirely new country which is the reality for those in lowlying islands and spaces, like the Maldives, the Mariana Islands, Manhattan, the Netherlands, worse when natural disasters strike and many casualties are lost due to the increase in intensity of storms)
Saturday, May 4, 2013
going to foster.ly
Today I'm going to a conference for people who are getting their businesses off the ground. I am going to observe and see what other people are there to do. Someday, I may be one of them.
Monday, April 29, 2013
lean in
Yesterday I went to a book discussion about Sheryl Sandberg's "Lean In" book. It was quite interesting to hear other women's perspectives on the conversation about "having it all." I resolve to lean in to my career, without fear.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
A long time coming...
So I started this blog as a test, a long time ago. And then I found twitter. . . So essentially, everything I would put into a blog has shown up on my twitter feed over the last few years at twitter.com/juliafar. Check it out if you'd like.
But I realized I do want to write a little more from time to time, and that each piece doesn't have to be that long. Thus, a restart.
This morning I watched a fascinating talk given by Phillip Zombardo, of Stanford Prison Experiment fame, about the concept of time, and how it shapes who we are. The talk can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJybVxUiy2U
This discussion was about whether or not people face their day to day decisions seeped in the past, present or future. At one point he says what I think we've all known all along: those who care about the environmental movement are almost all future forward thinkers, planners and doers. The good news, is the ones who are future-focused tend to outperform (in a manner of career success and social success) those who are stuck in the past and have a negative view of their past or the present hedonists, who do what they want without care or concern for the future. If you don't think about the future, you can't care about it. So, somehow we've got to figure out how to inspire people to think about the future. And we've got to inspire some of the future thinkers to care about the environment too! Again, more good news: everyone thinks about the past, present and future at some level already. Meanwhile, that's the challenge I'm thinking about today.
In the meantime, the last post said I would test out how to actually live the greener life... and I have done a lot, and so much more. Here's a brief overview of the stuff that's top of mind: I have successfully switched over to recycled aluminum, toilet paper made with high recycled content (method or seventh gen for the most part), paper products that are not bleached whenever I can find them, shampoos with no phosphates, greener cleaners (ps method's dish detergent is a miracle worker), am attempting to have as many meat free days as possible, am seriously considering the clothes that I purchase and the labor used to make them, same with my food if I can and the list goes on and on... so all in all, i'm making good strides. But! it's not all a success story. . . about a year ago I moved and got new roommates. While they do ok with their recycling habits, and I think have agreed to recycle more because of me, I'm still pulling recyclables out of our garbage. I'm always trying to be the one to purchase the paper goods, the soaps, the garbage bags, but sometimes my roommates buy something else, i.e. the status quo stuff. and in order to keep the peace, I'm not making a huge deal out of it. But, I have gotten them to recycle more! I also found out that one of my roommates is now exceptionally open to less-harsh and less-toxic cleaning materials and storage products because she's very concerned about what we've been learning about BPA, phthalates, triclosan and now the flame retardants in our couches... and she started to buy these better products too, so now our odds of having better cleaning and paper products are better. And I think she'll toss her couches when we move out. We're also trying not to eat on them and to dust more regularly to prevent any Penta-BDE or whatever flame retardant is used from getting on our food and into our bodies. But I'm sure it's happening.
Other setbacks: We can't purchase green power because our building doesn't meter our apartments individually. I can't compost, because the building (and my roommates) won't allow it. (I haven't given up yet, but it's just going to take more time). I can't grow my own food because there's no community garden area...yet. Also, because our rent includes our electricity and water, one of my roommates just loves to leave all of our lights on, even if she's not anywhere near the room or even in the apartment. She says it makes her feel better to know the light is on in her room and has implied in other conversation that it's inconvenient to remember to turn them off. So, I've given up on the one in her room because it's her space, but I'm constantly turning off the lights in our shared spaces, and closing doors, and lowering our heat, and using our windows as A/C when possible. I really wish the building would do a competition and monitor energy use because I'd love to know where we are compared to our neighbors, and we'd totally kick a** in that arena.
Anyway, I'm not sure any longer how helpful it is to tell people what it's really like going through this experience. We've got to make better choices, but I also fear we get stuck in the holier-than-thou route, and that's not helpful. Competition can be inspiring, but one-upping doesn't encourage. And that's not my goal. Like I said in the last post, I've been fortunate enough to be able to access a lot of information, and I simply want to share experiences. Everyone's path towards a greener life is going to be different. ALL actions are better than no action. Some people will find it easier to purchase so-called eco-friendly products, some people will find it easier to ditch their car, or travel less or work towards vegetarianism, or replace their lights/appliances or insulate their homes etc... What matters is that you think about it. And if you think about, one day you'll act on it. And one day you'll act on it in a new area of your life, so long as you keep thinking about it. And another day, you'll tell someone at work that it's important that your work also have these values... and from there we're off to the races. Just imagine what could be!
I know this post isn't as concise as the last. I'll try to better to keep it up. I find the most incredible things online and in my day to day interactions and I'd like to document them so I can come back to them.
Here's to keeping the post current,
Julia
PS Today is my sister's birthday.
But I realized I do want to write a little more from time to time, and that each piece doesn't have to be that long. Thus, a restart.
This morning I watched a fascinating talk given by Phillip Zombardo, of Stanford Prison Experiment fame, about the concept of time, and how it shapes who we are. The talk can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJybVxUiy2U
This discussion was about whether or not people face their day to day decisions seeped in the past, present or future. At one point he says what I think we've all known all along: those who care about the environmental movement are almost all future forward thinkers, planners and doers. The good news, is the ones who are future-focused tend to outperform (in a manner of career success and social success) those who are stuck in the past and have a negative view of their past or the present hedonists, who do what they want without care or concern for the future. If you don't think about the future, you can't care about it. So, somehow we've got to figure out how to inspire people to think about the future. And we've got to inspire some of the future thinkers to care about the environment too! Again, more good news: everyone thinks about the past, present and future at some level already. Meanwhile, that's the challenge I'm thinking about today.
In the meantime, the last post said I would test out how to actually live the greener life... and I have done a lot, and so much more. Here's a brief overview of the stuff that's top of mind: I have successfully switched over to recycled aluminum, toilet paper made with high recycled content (method or seventh gen for the most part), paper products that are not bleached whenever I can find them, shampoos with no phosphates, greener cleaners (ps method's dish detergent is a miracle worker), am attempting to have as many meat free days as possible, am seriously considering the clothes that I purchase and the labor used to make them, same with my food if I can and the list goes on and on... so all in all, i'm making good strides. But! it's not all a success story. . . about a year ago I moved and got new roommates. While they do ok with their recycling habits, and I think have agreed to recycle more because of me, I'm still pulling recyclables out of our garbage. I'm always trying to be the one to purchase the paper goods, the soaps, the garbage bags, but sometimes my roommates buy something else, i.e. the status quo stuff. and in order to keep the peace, I'm not making a huge deal out of it. But, I have gotten them to recycle more! I also found out that one of my roommates is now exceptionally open to less-harsh and less-toxic cleaning materials and storage products because she's very concerned about what we've been learning about BPA, phthalates, triclosan and now the flame retardants in our couches... and she started to buy these better products too, so now our odds of having better cleaning and paper products are better. And I think she'll toss her couches when we move out. We're also trying not to eat on them and to dust more regularly to prevent any Penta-BDE or whatever flame retardant is used from getting on our food and into our bodies. But I'm sure it's happening.
Other setbacks: We can't purchase green power because our building doesn't meter our apartments individually. I can't compost, because the building (and my roommates) won't allow it. (I haven't given up yet, but it's just going to take more time). I can't grow my own food because there's no community garden area...yet. Also, because our rent includes our electricity and water, one of my roommates just loves to leave all of our lights on, even if she's not anywhere near the room or even in the apartment. She says it makes her feel better to know the light is on in her room and has implied in other conversation that it's inconvenient to remember to turn them off. So, I've given up on the one in her room because it's her space, but I'm constantly turning off the lights in our shared spaces, and closing doors, and lowering our heat, and using our windows as A/C when possible. I really wish the building would do a competition and monitor energy use because I'd love to know where we are compared to our neighbors, and we'd totally kick a** in that arena.
Anyway, I'm not sure any longer how helpful it is to tell people what it's really like going through this experience. We've got to make better choices, but I also fear we get stuck in the holier-than-thou route, and that's not helpful. Competition can be inspiring, but one-upping doesn't encourage. And that's not my goal. Like I said in the last post, I've been fortunate enough to be able to access a lot of information, and I simply want to share experiences. Everyone's path towards a greener life is going to be different. ALL actions are better than no action. Some people will find it easier to purchase so-called eco-friendly products, some people will find it easier to ditch their car, or travel less or work towards vegetarianism, or replace their lights/appliances or insulate their homes etc... What matters is that you think about it. And if you think about, one day you'll act on it. And one day you'll act on it in a new area of your life, so long as you keep thinking about it. And another day, you'll tell someone at work that it's important that your work also have these values... and from there we're off to the races. Just imagine what could be!
I know this post isn't as concise as the last. I'll try to better to keep it up. I find the most incredible things online and in my day to day interactions and I'd like to document them so I can come back to them.
Here's to keeping the post current,
Julia
PS Today is my sister's birthday.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Baseline 1: An Introduction
I've been thinking a lot about walking the walk. I do my best to make better decisions about my daily lifestyle but if I'm finding it difficult, and at times I do, and I have been studying and working in environmental policy, design, energy use, sustainability and development for almost 8 years, and if I can't walk the walk, how can I expect anyone else in society to do the same?
This blog came about after much debate with myself about what could provide actual assistance and insight into the daily questions most consumers are facing: what is happening to our planet? (if anything) and what can I do about it? What does it mean to be green? Who should I trust? How do I make better decisions? So with that, I figured maybe it might be useful to share the knowledge that I've gained in the hope that perhaps it might help someone else, or at the very least provide me with a slightly cathardic way to gather and organize my thoughts on the highly philosophical and the everyday.
So, first a bit about me. What do I know anyway? Well, I have 2 Environmental Policy degrees, essentially. Climate change and the geopolitics of energy have been my primary focus. As an undergraduate (in Ann Arbor) I studied political science, organizational theory and environmental studies, including energy systems and natural resource history. So my first degree was actually a BA in Political Science with a minor in what we called the PITE program, program in the environment. Since graduate school was always on my radar, I decided to forgo law school to attend a new MPA program offered at Columbia University, specializing in Environmental Science and Policy. The goal of the program was to train environmental policy specialists who also understand the scientific challenges we're facing, since many times, politics forgets the practicality of science in favor of well - politics.
As an undergrad, I attended a few leadership programs, one of which asked the all important and often overlooked question: what do you care about? (as a sidenote, if you've never asked yourself this question, it might be time; you could end up finding out what you really want out of life- ok enough sidenote) As it happens it was at this particular retreat that I identified my desire to help create a society that integrates sustainable thinking into its everyday, but more than that, I want to live in a world where people respect each other and the planet and automatically participate in pro-environmental behavior the same way they would brush their teeth in the morning or buy a cup of coffee. And I've always wondered why some people really seem not to care about what they do to the planet - or think about the impact that they have - ever.
After I left grad school, I worked for the advertising council for a short consultancy, and then worked for a carbon offset organization. A non-profit that helped businesses and invididuals invest in carbon offset opportunities, like renewable energy, reforestation or energy efficiency. (We'll get to carbon offsets one day and the challenges of the market.) Then, there was a short stint working on a campaign and a current position working for a large non-profit's new environmental business. I've also had a few interesting internships where I have been priveledged to be in the room with some facinating people, experts, entrepreneurs, politicians. And lucky enough to talk with them about issues.
Anyway - long story short. I've been really lucky, had fantastic educational opportunities, and had the chance to have incredible discussions about these issues. But I'm just an average girl, trying to live my life. (oh and not that it matters, but I've been working since I was 12 and I put myself through school) The point is, not about what's happened to me, but that I know everyone does not get the chances that I've gotten so why shouldn't I share what I know? It would make everyone better off. Why should you have to spend the money or take on the debt that I have, for the knowledge that I've gained? It's a better use of my investment to share, and works out better for you too. Win-Win.
So with that, I'll start by systematically going through different aspects of my life, the necessary: food, shelter, basic clothes, transportation and the extras: stuff I want but don't need, like electronics, girly indulgences, books, etc. . . and see what I have done to take better steps toward this bigger vision, and where I'm still lacking. After all, I'm only human too. Also, one big thing to remember about this exercise and pretty much anything anyone tells you about making decisions when it comes to the environment. Everything is a tradeoff. As a species humans are inherently distructive, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but is something to note. It's hard for us to wrap our heads around global issues. (One day I'll find a few articles to link to about heuristics.) And we destroy to create. Rarely do we restore. And only recently have we begun to ask ourselves how we could. So, although one environmental product or change might have a better impact on X issue, it still might not be perfect for every other issue too. Just something to keep in mind.
Also - nothing is good or bad. An SUV is not a bad thing. But the way that we make them today doesn't necessarily provide for the best health impacts on the planet. There could be better designs integrated into it. Oil is not a bad thing. Oil brings us energy, and has supported the growth of many societies the world over. But just because it seemed to be the solution for some societies, who I might add did not know what we know today about the after impacts on the atmosphere of burning expansive quantities, does not mean it should be the only way to move forward. Again, a topic for another day.
My final thought for today's post is that many things we make today have their issues. Our populations exponentially impact our decisions. And we need to start asking more questions about the things we buy. Like, where was this made? And what's it made out of? And how do they do that? And the reason you should care is because the planet that we're on is changing. And if you like the air to be clean, and the water you drink to be clean, and the trees you see to be green, or that you see trees at all, I ask that you start to consider it. I am.
This blog came about after much debate with myself about what could provide actual assistance and insight into the daily questions most consumers are facing: what is happening to our planet? (if anything) and what can I do about it? What does it mean to be green? Who should I trust? How do I make better decisions? So with that, I figured maybe it might be useful to share the knowledge that I've gained in the hope that perhaps it might help someone else, or at the very least provide me with a slightly cathardic way to gather and organize my thoughts on the highly philosophical and the everyday.
So, first a bit about me. What do I know anyway? Well, I have 2 Environmental Policy degrees, essentially. Climate change and the geopolitics of energy have been my primary focus. As an undergraduate (in Ann Arbor) I studied political science, organizational theory and environmental studies, including energy systems and natural resource history. So my first degree was actually a BA in Political Science with a minor in what we called the PITE program, program in the environment. Since graduate school was always on my radar, I decided to forgo law school to attend a new MPA program offered at Columbia University, specializing in Environmental Science and Policy. The goal of the program was to train environmental policy specialists who also understand the scientific challenges we're facing, since many times, politics forgets the practicality of science in favor of well - politics.
As an undergrad, I attended a few leadership programs, one of which asked the all important and often overlooked question: what do you care about? (as a sidenote, if you've never asked yourself this question, it might be time; you could end up finding out what you really want out of life- ok enough sidenote) As it happens it was at this particular retreat that I identified my desire to help create a society that integrates sustainable thinking into its everyday, but more than that, I want to live in a world where people respect each other and the planet and automatically participate in pro-environmental behavior the same way they would brush their teeth in the morning or buy a cup of coffee. And I've always wondered why some people really seem not to care about what they do to the planet - or think about the impact that they have - ever.
After I left grad school, I worked for the advertising council for a short consultancy, and then worked for a carbon offset organization. A non-profit that helped businesses and invididuals invest in carbon offset opportunities, like renewable energy, reforestation or energy efficiency. (We'll get to carbon offsets one day and the challenges of the market.) Then, there was a short stint working on a campaign and a current position working for a large non-profit's new environmental business. I've also had a few interesting internships where I have been priveledged to be in the room with some facinating people, experts, entrepreneurs, politicians. And lucky enough to talk with them about issues.
Anyway - long story short. I've been really lucky, had fantastic educational opportunities, and had the chance to have incredible discussions about these issues. But I'm just an average girl, trying to live my life. (oh and not that it matters, but I've been working since I was 12 and I put myself through school) The point is, not about what's happened to me, but that I know everyone does not get the chances that I've gotten so why shouldn't I share what I know? It would make everyone better off. Why should you have to spend the money or take on the debt that I have, for the knowledge that I've gained? It's a better use of my investment to share, and works out better for you too. Win-Win.
So with that, I'll start by systematically going through different aspects of my life, the necessary: food, shelter, basic clothes, transportation and the extras: stuff I want but don't need, like electronics, girly indulgences, books, etc. . . and see what I have done to take better steps toward this bigger vision, and where I'm still lacking. After all, I'm only human too. Also, one big thing to remember about this exercise and pretty much anything anyone tells you about making decisions when it comes to the environment. Everything is a tradeoff. As a species humans are inherently distructive, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but is something to note. It's hard for us to wrap our heads around global issues. (One day I'll find a few articles to link to about heuristics.) And we destroy to create. Rarely do we restore. And only recently have we begun to ask ourselves how we could. So, although one environmental product or change might have a better impact on X issue, it still might not be perfect for every other issue too. Just something to keep in mind.
Also - nothing is good or bad. An SUV is not a bad thing. But the way that we make them today doesn't necessarily provide for the best health impacts on the planet. There could be better designs integrated into it. Oil is not a bad thing. Oil brings us energy, and has supported the growth of many societies the world over. But just because it seemed to be the solution for some societies, who I might add did not know what we know today about the after impacts on the atmosphere of burning expansive quantities, does not mean it should be the only way to move forward. Again, a topic for another day.
My final thought for today's post is that many things we make today have their issues. Our populations exponentially impact our decisions. And we need to start asking more questions about the things we buy. Like, where was this made? And what's it made out of? And how do they do that? And the reason you should care is because the planet that we're on is changing. And if you like the air to be clean, and the water you drink to be clean, and the trees you see to be green, or that you see trees at all, I ask that you start to consider it. I am.
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