Honk, Honk!
So as I continued to sit in stand-still traffic for more than an hour, and after a lovely conversation with the gal in the car behind me about an essential oil that takes away the sting of insect bites, I tuned the radio to NPR, which was doing a segment on gas consumption of all things! I listened intently, learning that not only are Western countries consuming more and more resources, but Third World countries are also consuming more. In India, China and Africa, more and more people are leaving their countryside lifestyles to get jobs in nearby cities, turning in their bikes for fuel-burning cars. The standard of living is increasing globally, and the world is feeling the effects of diminishing resources from the shift of supply and demand.
I do believe things happen for a reason, and for me, being a captive audience really forced me to listen and take notice. The timing could not have been more perfect, and I was listening.
We are fortunate to be living during a time of great opportunity, but we don’t always take full advantage of it. Let’s shift out of the current gotta-have-it-NOW mindset to a what-can-I-do-with-what-I-have thinking, and even carry it over into our businesses. My gym, for example, is thinking out of the box, now offering membership discounts for getting there on foot or by bike. What a great incentive idea! And from there, I’m sure more ideas will flow.
Story of Stuff
I have a new friend who lives on an island in Norway that is government-subsidized to explore and research new and different ways to live more environmentally sound and aware. She and her neighbors take the environment very seriously, and she shared a powerful video with me. I want you to watch it and absorb it. It takes 20 minutes, but I assure you, it will be well worth your time. Share it with your family, friends, email list, corporations, and municipality and government officials.
And please remember to leave guilt at the door. It does nothing but tear us down. Allow the video to prompt you to take a more proactive approach by doing your part to chisel away day in and day out, no matter how big or small the effort. Just as long as you do something, REGULARLY.
Check out StoryofStuff.com and let me know what you think!
I have been saying for a long time now , we all have to do our part to stop this rising cost , and well seeing this artical its great to see someone thinking the way I do . No matter how small , riding our bike , walking there , combining our trips to taking kids to activities and store ...we have to start thinking how can we start saving , to saving ourselves ..... thankyou
Now that I'm having another child, I have to trade my car in for a minivan, which isn't really great for gas consumption. Although I'm hoping to carpool with other moms for school, that still means that the rest of the time I'll be driving somewhat of a gas guzzler. It'd be great to see cars, vans that can seat 4-5 kids in the back and still be fuel-efficient. Plus, with the way they make car seats, you can't fit three car seats in the back of a car that seats three adults...so much for getting our Prius.
thank you for sharing this valuable info!!! it's true, even if we just do one small thing a day (or several) we are already adding to the positive side of this! hopefully this attitude will become our habit!
Years ago when my children were young I gave them a Mother's Day gift. It was a letter telling them that as their mother the best gift I cold give them was a future and to ensure that future we would start a recycle program in our home. This was before recycling became popular and it was a lot of work but I believed in it then and I still believe in it today...I have often wanted to 'show' people what throwing one little tiny piece of gum wrapper out your car window would look like if a million people did it in one spot! Everyone should commit to one day a year to clean up just to realize the garbage people throw around! Enough for now...I'm so glad to see this article and video to show a realistic view of what we are doing to ourselves!!! We are just too self absorbed! I have passed along this website to as many people as I could. Thanks for it!
I am 54 years young and I can't remember a time when recycling wasn't popular. Can someone clue me in to when You think it became Popular?