The Problem with Earth Day

If you don’t know today is Earth Day, you must be living in a cave. Newspapers are reporting on local and global events and initiatives. Magazines have published their April “Green” issues. Environmental and advocacy groups have held rallies and other events in the month of April to pressure governmental agencies to take a stand on global warming, and start legislating for change. The Internet has exploded with sites and blogs talking about simple things like line drying your clothes, to the complex science behind the impact of carbon on the environment. Point is, Earth Day or no, Save the Earth has become the issue of the day.

And yet, the pollution continues. Gas, coal and electricity is being consumed in record amounts. The average household recycles no more than they did 5 years ago, and produces even more trash. Corporations are taking on initiatives to reduce energy consumption, or switch to wind or solar energy sources, but many aren’t yet willing to pay the price of environmentally friendly practices. The food industry is so mired in waste for profit - where to even start?

Point is, Al Gore videos, banning the light bulb, the Chicago Green festival, and Earth Day promotions are useless unless individuals are willing to take responsibility and change their habits. The government can make me by a CF lightbulb, but they can’t make me turn off the light. Which do you think saves more energy?

Anyway, time to get on with it. It is a beautiful day today. 50 degrees at 6:30 this morning. Brent is tilling the garden. I need to take a bike ride into town to get my lettuce seeds. It should be safe to get those planted. Later this morning we will be picking rocks in the neighbors corn field. We use the rocks for landscaping, and the farmer appreciates not having to contend with the rocks when plowing and planting. It will just be nice to be outside for a change - foot loose and fancy free.

Let us know how you spent your day.