Think about easy things you can do to reduce consumption, and then to take personal action. We, in theory at least, are the Limits To Growth people. We need to be personally active in the struggle for Earth’s viability. We can start with things which look to be pitiful and small, things which in themselves won’t make any real difference at all; however the mindset they inform and encourage might. So think about it, and reduce (Reduce is the first of the three Rs, remember). Make a game of it; see how much you can change your thinking on consumption issues.
We’ve all heard about the ocean’s plastics problem. If you haven’t read here. Waste plastic is a problem everywhere. So, USE LESS PLASTIC. Quit buying pop and water in plastic bottles; get and use a refillable bottle. Use a refillable pen. Take a real plate and cutlery to all functions where you might be served on disposables. Make a point of telling everyone there why you brought your own table service. Carry your refillable mug, and use it. Forgot your mug? Then drink no coffee. After a time or two, you’ll find you stop forgetting your mug. Make a personal game of it and see how much plastic you can rid your life of.
You’ve all seen aluminum drink cans scattered around on the ground. Each, if recycled, represents a saving in energy equal to half its volume in gasoline. A small political step is all that’s required to eliminate most of them: put a deposit on them. (Many years ago, when recycling cans started, Quebec put a deposit on pop cans. This resulted in ~95% of them being returned, Ontario created the blue box program and, wow!, gets ~25% of them back. It’s obvious which system works better!) For that matter, there should be a hefty refundable deposit paid for all plastic containers, say 25 cents each. Then there would be a lot less garbage, and much more recovered energy.
CACOR’s meetings are held on a bus route. Yet few members come on the bus to the monthly meetings (Management, why don’t you take a survey and find out the percentage at the next meeting?). Come on now, how hard can it be to rearrange your lives a bit, and start reducing CACOR related CO2?
Many things can be repaired. Make at least a mental list of where or by who. Then, when the time comes, do it.
I could go on and on, but won’t. My point is that, each of us, by engaging in small things could change our mental outlook which would enable bigger things. It’s at least time to start; who knows where it’ll lead.
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