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gas car like a corolla or a civic, would reduce your carbon footprint to the greatest extent, but look at the roads; no matter what anyone wants, consumers (meaning us) are not going to stop driving any time soon. People simply have to continue this journey with as many steps in the right direction that are feasible.

It is often left to governmental regulations to protect, preserve, or restore the natural heritage of the United States and, more than a few will blame capitalism for its short sightedness and greed. In the age of Wal-Mart, Viacom, Enron, and government subsidies to faceless corporate entities, we often forget that the consumer is the main driver in a healthy capitalist, democratic society. Capitalism works just like democratic governance, if people don't pay attention about what they are doing, some of the more unsavory aspects of the human individual will thrive due to their thirst for wealth and power.

So many more things can be done that have not been mentioned here. Using purchasing power to buy the following: an electric lawn mower; local, organic food; free range beef and poultry; recycled paper products; public transportation; biking; support of local land trusts; green buildings in cities; chemically safe laundry and cleaning products; investments in companies working to expand their environmental portfolios in an honest way; and supporting local businesses. Make sure to write all your representatives when an issue of usurpation of public lands for privatization comes before any committee at any level. Volunteer to clean up a river or forest preserve, or just take a garbage bag out into the woods. Use recycled material for building or gardening projects.

This list can go on and on, and most people are trying very hard to protect and preserve our natural heritage by doing whatever they can.

Ultimately, it is a mindset that needs to be changed. No amount of celebrity endorsements will help alter the belief that the meaning of all business and government is greed and that the only way to make money is to pollute rivers and treat workers like sub-human cogs in the new and improved, post-industrial machine.

Capitalism and government have both changed dramatically before. The wheels of industry are always turning and the wisdom of democratic leadership is that the individuals at the helm are subject to the intelligence, thoughtfulness, and foresight of the people who really can make society grow if they choose to believe it and to work for it.

Learn more about this author, James Buthman.
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