Heartbreaking

The oil spill off the coast of Louisiana is getting worse, threatening wildlife and pristine wetlands.  Where are all the "Drill, Baby, Drill" supporters now?  California learned a lesson after the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill that killed an estimated 10,000 birds.  The U.S. needs to rethink the new drilling policy and implement plans to take advantage of alternative sources of energy.



(Photo source:  www.examiner.com)

Extremists

This is going to be another rant....


Recently I posted about how Americans are environmentally aware and yet continue to purchase unnecessary disposable products.  Many of these products are popular among germaphobes.  Often I wonder what germs might be lurking in my house or neighborhood that I should be so deathly afraid of them.  Americans are afraid of cold and flu germs.  What many don't realize is that we NEED to be exposed to these germs in order to build our immune system.  However, what we as a society have done is create superbugs which are much worse that the original.  


So, we're obsessed with avoiding the flu and colds.  We use hand sanitizer and antibacterial soap.  We have disposable hand towels, sponges, and mop heads.  We douse our bathrooms and kitchens with dangerous chemicals.  Problem is, Americans are much more likely to die from cancer, heart disease, and diabetes than the flu.  Many of these diseases are lifestyle diseases - caused by poor diets, lack of exercise, and exposure to toxins.  These diseases don't have a quick fix, like antibacterial soap.  We need to make a conscious effort to change the way we live, watch what we eat, and care for the environment.  It's a long-term commitment.  We shouldn't be afraid of our neighbors; we should be afraid of ourselves.  When I try to talk to people about these issues, they look at me as if I'm an extremist.  "What?!  Stop using commercial cleaners?  Use all natural personal care products?  Try to reduce pollution?  Exercise?!!  You're just an extremist!"


Yes, I guess I'm an extremist...but I'm not the one obsessively pulling out the hand sanitizer...

Living Gently on the Earth

Just wanted to share a great blog post I found at "Simple Minimalist:  Far Beyond the Stars" by  Everett Bogue.  His 26 Ways to Achieve Minimalist Freedom covers so many great ways to simplify life and save the planet. 

Quote for the Day

"Is he/she a believer?  I always hesitate to answer that question because I wonder what that really means.  What is the definition of a believer?  Someone might consider themself a believer when they don't fit my definition or that of the person posing the question."


(Source unknown; if anyone knows, please send me a comment so I can give proper credit.)

What Is Wrong with Us?

I've been thinking about this a lot - and Earth Day really got me thinking.  We (I mean Americans) as a society are more aware of environmental degradation than ever before.  And yet our economy  keeps cranking out more and more products that are single-use, disposable items.  I watch as people are encouraged to toss mops, brooms, cotton towels, and washcloths, in exchange for the newest, latest, greatest thing that Madison Avenue has dreamed up.  We're being indoctrinated to be afraid of dirt and germs.  Are our homes that germ infested that we're afraid to touch anything?  I know food-borne illnesses are a problem and we need to be careful how we handle food, especially meat.  But often that problem is caused by the huge industrial food complex - but I'll save that for another post.


In the meantime, take a look at this new disposable product:

Or this:

Or this:

And finally, this well known product:

These (and many other) products are incredibly wasteful.  We have so many one-use products that not only end up in landfills, but use up our valuable resources and create unnecessary pollution that contributes to health problems for humans and the rest of the planet.

Seems like other bloggers are thinking along these lines.  For a better discussion of this growing problem, head over to The Good Green Witch, where she's written blog posts covering these and other wasteful products.

Earth Day 2010

Blessed Earth Simulcast

Don't forget that Blessed Earth is holding its simulcast in honor of Earth Day tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET.  Christians around the world are coming together over the issue of creation care.  You can sign up to view the Blessed Earth simulcast in the comfort of your own home here or you can find a church near you here.  In the meantime, go over to the resources page at Blessed Earth to begin the green journey.