Blog Action Day "Climate Change"

Today is Blog Action Day, a day when bloggers all around the world are focusing their thoughts and their words on Climate Change.

Climate Change is real. It is happening and we are not as helpless as many would think. We can make changes to alleviate the strain we have put on the earth. With all the back and forth arguing about whether or not Climate Change is real or even mankind driven it is easy to get bogged down in the details. I liken the banter to arguing whether the house is on fire. "Is the house on fire? If so what is the proper course of action? How can we put the fire out without destroying the items inside (aka our way of life)? What about the structure (economy)? How can we be sure the entire building won't collaspe?
Truth is we don't know anything for sure but if we look at all the scenarios what is worse?

Option A: If Climate Change doesn't exist and we do nothing, then no loss, no gain

Option B: If Climate Change doesn't exist and we do something thinking it exists then we have strengthened our sustainability, our alternative energy source infrastructure and made the world a better place regardless if it was necessary.

Option C: If Climate Change does exist and we do something then we could possible overt disaster by minimizing damage and bettering the planet at the same time.

Option D: If Climate Change does exist and we do nothing... oh crap!

I once had a heated discussion with someone about developed nations and their ability
to derive enough energy from renewable resources (ie: Solar, wind etc). His argument was that it would be impossible to generate enough power from these alternatives to supply everyone with enough power. I strongly disagreed.

I have been dreaming of living off grid for years and have done enough research to know that utilizing power completely from solar and wind energy is very do-able. The only caveat? We may not be able to consume the amount of electricity at our current rate.

My argument to him was I do not plan to have a dish washer, I can wash by hand. I will most likely live without a clothes dryer I can hang anything on the line, even indoors during winter. I can use solar cookers and outdoor ovens. I can use a wood cook stove or choose more meals that require no energy to heat. By doing all these things I can live without any need for damaging energy sources. It can be done. The question is whether or not our current society is ready to give up these luxuries for the sake of the planet?

The thing is Climate Change is not something that can be tackled by one person, or a group of people. Climate change is something that must be tackled because of a genuine acceptance by the public at large of how our way of life is affecting the planet.

Here are a few things everyone could be doing to offset our affect on the planet and halt climate change.

- plant a garden, even a small one, to reduce the number of miles our food travels from field to plate.

- line dry whenever possible and avoid using the dryer. Buy a drying rack or a retractable clothes line for inside during winter or rainy days.

- buy second hand whenever possible and pass on anything you don't need to someone who will use it.

- Think long term when making purchases. Buy items that will last, even if it costs a bit more. In the end it will save cheaply produced items from finding their way to the landfill within a year or two.

- Walk, ride your bike or carpool to work and school. Make a conscience choice to drive less. Combine outtings and plan one day a week when the car stays at home.

- Teach children that taking care of toys and being gentle with them so they don't break is something they can do for the environment.

- Avoid plastic (since it is derived from fossil fuels), seek out items made of natural materials like wood, wool and cotton. Our even glass because it lasts longer than plastic.

- Find out what your municipality accepts for recycling. You might be surprised at how much can go in the blue bin.

- Refuse plastic shopping bags and carry your purchases or use reusable cloth bags every time you go to the store.

- Use cloth diapers, cloth napkins, rags to clean up spills instead of paper towel.

- look around your home for ways that you can effect change.

- speak up! Let others know you are thinking about the environment. Think of ways your hobby, activity, sport, or group can become more earth friendly. My spinning group began asking everyone to bring their own mug, plate and utensils so that we didn't have to use paper/Styrofoam plates for our meals.

To read other blog posts on Blog Action Day check out their website!