Green

Being from Vermont is a pretty great thing.  We are surrounded by environmentally conscious, earth-friendly people who have good intentions.  Some of us Vermonters even go out of our way to protect the environment.  People across the country are becoming increasingly interested in being eco-friendly.


Despite our intentions and ideas, we live in a country that does not always take care of our environment.  We are all busy, and we may not realize the enormous implications that our lifestyle will have on the future generations.  This is the only Earth we have, and we need to take care of it! 
So here is a little environmental education 101 from green Vermont!

What is sustainability? 
“Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” [United Nations, 1987]

“They must be economically feasible, socially just (and acceptable), and environmentally sound.” [Elkington, 1998]

“For a renewable resource: the sustainable rate of use can be no greater than the rate of use.” [UVM Professor]

“In our every deliberation we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations.” [The Great Law of the Iroquois Confederacy]

What is not sustainable?

-Landfills, waste, trash
-Uncontrolled increases in CO2 waste in our atmosphere
-Uncontrolled use of natural gas and oil:
    -Natural Gas: 60 years until we run out
    -Oil: 40 years
    -Coal: 100 years

The point? We need a renewable energy source!  The sun, for example, could be converted to solar energy.  Wind could be used as an energy source.  There are a lot of options here.

How can we help?

#1:  Realize that there is no “away”.  You can’t throw something away, because “away” doesn’t exist.  Away is a landfill!

Because there is no “away”, recycling is IMPORTANT!  By diverting “waste” from landfills, we...
-Save space in landfills
-Save money used to run landfills
-Promote sustainability in product production
-Provide cheaper recycled materials for companies to make products with
-Create less of a need to take from our environmental resources
-Compost!  30% of landfill is organic waste. 

#2: Conserve energy and be efficient with your energy usage!

Ways to conserve:
-Walk, bike, and use public transportation when possible
-Make smart sustainable food choices
-Support products made from recycled goods
-Use energy efficient appliances
-Be smart about our electricity usage!  Turn off your lights, let your computer sleep, and be smart about heating/cooling.

#3: Support local food production!  What is better than eating a farm fresh fruit, vegetable, or meat that was produced in your own state?  Not only does the food taste better, but the environment reaps benefits as well.

Why? 
-Closer production of food means less travel distance (less energy use!) and less money spent on travel...  Instead of eating apples from South America, eat apples from the orchard in your home state.
-Food animals are raised on really disgusting “factory farms”.  Why eat a mass-produced cow from filthy conditions when you can eat a cow who grew up in somebody’s backyard?
-Meat from afar is treated with ammonia and other chemicals that act as cleansing agents and preservatives... fast food burgers DO NOT mold, even if left out for a year!  That can’t be good for you.

#4: Support local businesses and support truly green businesses.

Why?
-Truly green businesses will replenish what they use from the Earth and show concern for the environment in their actions
-Decreases the need for mass-produced goods, thus promoting environmental sustainability
-Decreased travel distance & costs
-Keep money in your local economy!
-Provide jobs in your area

#5: Use Less Oil.
Our country is addicted to oil!  It is in our cars and planes, but also in plastic.  And we have a LOT of plastic.  It would be very wise to minimize our petroleum usage because we do not have an unending supply!
How?
-Carpool, public transportation, bikes, walking
-Energy efficient vehicles
-Buy less plastic!
-Support sustainable, local food systems and business.
-Recycle!

The Earth needs to be cared for.  Animals go extinct every day.  We dump so many toxins into our world that we kill not only local ecosystems, but humans as well (cancer).  Chemicals are not supposed to be part of our diet, yet they seep into our food systems. 

I challenge you to simplify your life.  Think green, invest in green, and promote green.  Walk to work, grow a small garden, turn of your lights.  Be sustainable so our grandchildren can enjoy a beautiful world!

PS Watch Wall-E