It was Earth Day again on the 22nd of April, and the earth is in much worse shape today than it was in 1970 when this observance was first held.
Since then, of course, many more people around the globe have become aware of the damage that has been done to the land, sea, air, and to the living things in them, and of the dangers to be faced if no changes are made to limit or counter further damage.
It could be expected, therefore, that people would be concerned, and would want to do what they can to lessen harm to the environment.
Apart from persistently lobbying government to do the right thing by way of policies and action, direly needed to influence sluggish public officials, there are personal changes in consumption habits that aren’t that difficult to do if inertia (also known as moral laziness) can be overcome.
Here’s a list: Never again buy “mineral” or water in plastic bottles but carry a filled or re-fillable, re-usable bottle. Don’t use plastic bags, but carry a cloth or other reusable shopping bag (there are some folded so small that are easy to have in a pocket or handbag.) Buy rechargeable batteries. Don’t buy these items: disposable shaving razors, plastic drinking straws, plastic cutlery, disposable cups, plates, chopsticks, anything made of styrofoam.
There’s obviously so much more but the principle is clear: anything that is thrown away after one use (or short-term use) is a waste of resources, and dangerously adds to the trash mountains or ocean gyres.
If you can get somewhere near enough by walking or biking, don’t get on your motor bike or car. Stop buying so many clothes. If your cell phone works, don’t get a new one. Buy less, in general. Eat less, certainly less meat, fish or fowl. Don’t be a burden on the planet, there are no techno-fixes for our bad behavior, and no, Mars will not be Planet B when we’re done wrecking this one.
None of this is new, but with each passing Earth Day, habits of consumption become a more serious case of conscience. And clearly, in this country, with such high levels of poverty, it’s not the very poor doing the over-consuming. It’s those already with the purchasing power who have to wake up.
The economy will not grind to a halt, businesses will have to get smarter to meet better standards, particularly if the buying public snubs unsustainable products.
None of these changes mentioned entail great sacrifice or pose serious difficulties to carry out. There are no excuses for not becoming more responsible consumers.
_______________________________
Author’s email: h.cecilia7@gmail.com
