Make every day Earth Day. Be power smart. Reduce, reuse, recycle. Buy local. Walk, bike, & transit for climate change.
And many more environmental cliches. There are times when I think, has the message gotten through? Or have we just become desensitized because we've heard the message over and over again and because we aren't directly experiencing the impact of our actions... yet? After all, we aren't polar bears swimming toward our last 2-foot squared ice cap. I haven't breathed with more difficulty, or been overcrowded by garbage, felt warmer, or felt significantly healthier than, say 20 years ago when I was less enlightened by environmental issues.
Do you remember when you were growing up, how your parents used to warn you about not touching the stove or you'll get burned? Then one day, you finally learned by experiencing the stinging, blistering pain of a burn.
In many ways, warnings about climate change can be just as meaningful to us to a child who's been warned incessantly about fire but never experienced a burn. Although we are pretty green out here on the west coast, there are few who have traveled to witness the destruction rapidly devastating our Earth; most of us know what's going on but are tremendously removed from it.
I wonder, when will most of us experience the first eco-burn? And if and when we finally do, will it be too late? If we are fortunate (or unfortunate) to witness first hand devastation, and even if we don't, how can we influence those who are complacently far removed? How can we teach our children? How can we make a difference?
I believe we're going in the right direction; I just fear that cliches and the same green messages have become tired and meaningless. Or worse, hopeless rhetoric. But I am hopeful, because although being green is a conscious effort for our generation, I believe, thanks to dedicated teachers, parents and role models, green habits will become second nature to our kids. I guess we do still need to be reminded, and to try our best to set an example. Even if we'll never fully understand or experience the impact personally right now, I'll say it again anyway.
Make every day Earth Day. Be power smart. Reduce, reuse, recycle. Buy local. Walk, bike, & transit for climate change.
Blessings,
Sharon
@bamboobino
