Action is always better than hope
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With the 40th anniversary of Earth Day just around the proverbial corner, Planet Green has kicked things up a notch by not only declaring this to be "Earth Month," but also by mapping out the eco-actions taking place across the globe. Following in their vision to go "beyond green," I'd like to explore some more ways to perceive and honor the concept of Earth Day.
It should go without saying that the earth needs more than one day but that doesn't mean a single day cannot serve the purpose of refining visions, creating connections, and inspiring much-needed action.
WATCH VIDEO: Earth Day 2009: Design of The People's Garden
Earth Day Question: What Does Your Landbase Need to Survive?
5 Simple Suggestions for Earth Day
1. Make Tiny Choices
When dealing with monumental issues, it's crucial to avoid feelings of guilt and powerlessness. This is where the path of "tiny choices" comes into play. While we plan for the ultimate, inevitable, and necessary dismantling of industrial civilization, we can maintain daily momentum by re-evaluating our personal choices. The trick to living mindfully is to never forget it is only a means to an end.
2. But Focus on the Big Picture
Not buying a new pair of jeans may reduce our lifetime carbon footprint by about 900 pounds but meanwhile, Exxon-Mobil emits 138 million tons of CO2 every year. Keep making the tony choices but do so while organizing like-minded comrades to take down the worst global eco-criminals.
3. Go Vegan
Switching to a plant-based diet is a form of direct action that anyone can start on Earth Day and, in the process, immediately address issues like justice in the workplace, torture, the health care crisis, deforestation, unjust imprisonment, overfishing, poverty, and corporate welfare. Then, of course, there's this: Animal byproducts are responsible for 32.6 billion tons of carbon dioxide per year, or 51 percent of annual worldwide human caused greenhouse gas.
4. Remember: Action is Always Better Than Hope
In March 2009, John Vucetich, assistant professor of animal ecology at Michigan Technological University, and Michael Nelson, associate professor of environmental ethics at Michigan State University, penned an essay titled "Abandon Hope." "Their goal wasn't to denounce positivity," explains Josh Peterson. "Their aim was to challenge the belief that hope can motivate folks to overcome looming environmental problems. They claim that people should be motivated by the intrinsic value of doing the right thing."
5. Listen to Arundhati Roy
Links for a Day
The "Best Earth Day Celebration in the West": Climb and Run for Calgary Wilderness on April 17
Today is Earthworm Appreciation Day
