The theme chosen by Earth Day (dot) Org this year reflects our collective responsibility. Sure, we can say that governments are not doing enough... but we - the individuals of society - have our part to play in electing those governments. We need to exercise our hard-won rights to vote to fulfil our part in the collective. Oh sure, we can exercise our rights as human beings to not vote - to sit on the fence. But where did that ever get us? Fences only divide us, no matter how neutral you think them to be.
Here are the criteria as set out by the organisation:
We can vote with our central government election process, our local government process, and our town council process. We can also vote with our £/$/₹/ ¥... seeking purchases from establishments with proven credentials in the climate change efforts. This is what the theme for this year engenders.
It's a long haul. This short video looks at carbon capture and gives an excellent little graphic example of the task at hand...
We have all experienced extreme weather in recent times. Unusual, untimely storms and heat waves. To deny the need for action - well, I just don't know how anyone can. We are power-hungry, but it behoves us to seek out ways to reduce our usage and to use what we have more strategically. Wherever possible, buy foods with minimum transport miles, and eat seasonally (a forgotten art, I know, and even I struggle with that). There are so many little tweaks we can make if we are prepared to put our minds to it.
It is also not without reason that The Big One gathering in the streets of Westminster is starting today.
...and now your reminder that next week is Final Friday Feature time once more!
we fear all this plans are not good in reality... we see it now with germany.. ;O(((
ReplyDeleteWe must all vote for right politicians! The extreme weather can not be ignored. Great post for Earth Day! Take care, have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately the 'right' politicians often never put their hands up for the job, and who can blame them. Public scrutiny can be excoriating, and take all sorts of normal past life events and make them some kind of evil, when most of us have experiences that might be regrettable in some ways but make us normal humans. It is how they learn from their life experience that makes the 'right' people right; but who among us wants to put our lives on display?
DeleteIt is important that we all do what we can within the sphere of our own lives. Just imagine the impact if everyone committed to reducing their footprint twenty percent and then using that as a baseline to improve even more. Most of all though, we have to cease our suicidal tendency to elect and re-elect politicians who work against the common good. Until then, nothing substantial is going to happen.
ReplyDeleteHi Yam - we just need to realise that we have, each human being has, a responsibility to be accountable ... I"m not sure where the world is going ... but do hope for future generations it can be calm, considerate, thoughtful and work together for the life continuing on this planet - and not being blasted off it. I'm not sure I should say cheers - but I will and take care - Hilary
ReplyDeleteI forgot about Earth Day! We used to celebrate it in my classroom. I hope those young kids grew up to be earth lovers. Take care! xx
ReplyDeleteIn our USA, there are no good politicians, no matter the party, they care about nothing but money and their own selfves. we vote for who runs and try to pick the lease bad politician. I believe there is not one decent honest caring person that runs for a political position. we do what we can do here and hope for the best.
ReplyDeleteI do like Helen Czerski but was hoping for a bit more discussion of the geological issues around CCS in the Fully Charged video, having been engaged somewhat peripherally in a couple of CCS feasibility studies in my last job. It's all rather more complicated than one might imagine!
ReplyDeleteCheers, Gail.
I am ready for FFF Hugs Cecilia
ReplyDeleteThe whole subject and how as one person and one cat we can respond to it has been creating some anxiety for F. She has kind of retreated into making an individual effort regardless of the apparent lack of effect, and can no longer face trying to change the attitudes of anyone else. It seems that for every one of us that cares and tries to make a difference there are 10 who don't give a fig, consume mindlessly, generate unnecessary waste, litter without a conscience, and vote for money in their pockets rather than wider cultural or environmental concerns. And for every 11 people in that last sentence there is probably 1 who is actively campaigning for more consumption or deliberately thwarting the efforts of those who do give up their time and energy to try and protect, conserve, repair, clean, the world around us. That last 1 seems to have a lot more influence with the 10 in the middle than the 1 who wants us all the be a little more ascetic, or to apply more thinking to the daily choices we make.
ReplyDeleteHi
ReplyDeleteIt's been a long time