Yes

by Pamela Kay

Created on: May 01, 2008

In the 50's there was no worry about clean water or air. We took it for granted. There was no oil crisis and no food shortages. We were oblivious to what was slowly happening to our environment. Today we must face what we have done and ask ourselves, "Is the current green wave' good for the environment?" and "How did this happen?"

It happened because we were not wise enough to follow the old maxim of waste not-want not.' We wasted and squandered our resources as we fought our way up the ladder to success and each generation has had to deal with the mess left by the one that preceded it.

We see now, because it cannot be ignored, what we have done. It isn't too late to reverse most of it, but some of the damage can never be undone. Each year there are more plants and wildlife added to the endangered or extinct lists. Do we, as humans, want to end up on one of these lists? It can happen if we do not change.

There is no time like now, to start rethinking how we live and how we use what we have. Now is the time to get on board and make your actions match your beliefs. Now is the time to do all you can to leave as little trace of your passing here as possible.

There are many reasons to be a naysayer and do nothing. However, the naysayer has never contributed one useful thing to our world. Yes, there have been false starts and misinformation to confuse us and make us want to throw in the towel.

Yes, there are those who jump on their soapboxes and tell us we must conserve our resources and then drive away in the biggest, baddest SUV on the market, or fly away on chartered jets.

Yes, some have no clue about living green and have no interest in learning. They will never pitch in and do their share until they are forced by the outcry of concerned citizens everywhere. So, should we all just not try until they do their part? Will this get done what needs to be done now? Can the environment wait?

There are those who contradict green movements such as using cloth diapers instead of disposable one. These activists tell us that the laundry aids we use do more damage to the rivers and soil than the manufacturing and use of disposables. However, they don't mention the new earth friendly laundry aids or how many trees it will take to keep a baby in diapers. Nor do they mention the toxic chemicals in the diapers we put next to our baby's skin.

There are those who trot off to the grocery store with their "green" shopping bags, but never give a thought to what they put in them. Produce grown half way around the world uses fuel and causes pollution. Meats and dairy products, from huge farms who use toxic chemicals as pesticides on the food they feed their livestock, are not green foods.

There are even those who moan that one person cannot make much of a difference. However, to them I would say that Jesus was just one person, Mahatma Gandhi was just one person, so were Lech Walesa, Martin Luther King, Jr., Golda Meir, Mother Teresa and Nelson Mandela. Sometimes it only takes one person to start a movement. You can be that person.

So, is it hopeless? Is there no right way to be green? Yes, there is! Join the green wave that is sweeping the world and educate yourself about what works and what doesn't. Take the time to do simple things in your everyday life to recycle, renew and reuse. Rethink the things you do and find a better, greener way.

Encourage others to join you and spread the word. Refuse to give up just because you see no one else doing it. Be the first! Then when someone asks you, "Is the current green wave good for the environment?" you can give them a definite "yes" and all the reasons why.

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