Monday, October 15, 2007
A better life — right now
Tags:
environment
I found out that today is Blog Action Day while reading through my feeds this morning — I've clearly been sleeping. So my small contribution for today is to try to amplify a simple and important message.For a while I had been struggling with the whole message of global warming and climate change. The main reason was that the story was weak (in my opinion at least). Now what I mean by weak is that it was not changing enough lives — not creating enough action. I think Seth Godin managed to express the problem best.
The next step was figuring out the solution, which proved to be difficult. Thankfully I came across what I consider to be the best environmental blog I know of, No Impact Man, and in particular, this post.
"My point is that a big boost to the environmental cause might come with spending a little less time making people scared of a worse life and a little more time inspiring them towards a better one"Let us each start working towards a better life right now. We need to realise that the impact of our lifestyle is an event which is taking place now. We have real and immediate problems that need to be addressed, from children suffering from asthma due to exhaust fumes, to the depletion of fish stocks off the West coast of South Africa.
Take action to make a better world for yourself — right now.
Bonus Links:
- The City of Cape Town (my home - thanks to my wife for the photo above) published the "Smart Living Handbook" which has some excellent info and ideas.
- Lawn care for the cheap and lazy (I use these techniques on my own lawn).
- Gardening with indigenous South African plants.
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I'm Duncan Drennan and this blog is about spreading ideas regarding engineering, our environment and creating a better world. You can also follow me on Google Reader.
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Great list and fabulous rehash of the day -- and thanks for the link to Seth's article...
ReplyDeleteThere actually is something else you can do, mate! Sign the Petition to help pass the Aggressive, pro-environment, Energy Bill!!!! :)
The Blog Action Day was times perfectly for this bill, which Congress finally has a chance to pass, which offers meaningful energy legislation at last.
The bill includes the best fuel economy standards ever (35 mpg by 2020) and a renewable electricity standard (15% by 2020) that guarantees the growth of renewable, clean energy.
There is a huge chance these two key advances won’t make it through to the final bill so we can really use your help!
Who's we? Well, I am working with a coalition to make sure Congress sends the president a strong energy bill with meaningful changes for our environment and planet.
I remember back in the early 1970s we went through the environmental protection thing and our government paid out lots of money to get people to insulate their homes and lots of other things. In about three years it had all been forgotten and we went back to our evil ways. I hope this green revolution works.
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