Resource Management Good Water Usage Conservation Essays     Eco-Solutions
  

Less Gas: Let's Pray to Become Cool!

Do you think global warming is another example of Chicken Little freaking out? Can we ignore not just the facts but how many of us deeply feel. Major ecological, economic and social consequences may result in such things as increased storms, flooding, droughts and decreased food production according to both Pentagon and insurance companies. We are finding that we met the enemy and it is us! Americans can reduce global warming by three-quarters by taking steps such as establishing strict energy and fuel efficient standards.

Can we deny that our collective yearly contribution upwards of 7 billion tons of carbon does not harm our earth? An American revolution has to show that our 5% world's population share producing 22% of the climate altering CO2 added to the atmosphere must change. EPA recently estimated that greenhouse gases increased 1.7 percent in 2004. Can we get real about global warming? Words without action are a more dangerous form of gaseous waste. Life can be a gas only if we show reverence with it.

We are at a crossroads today in the emergence of the human spirit; a rebirth in consciousness. All beings close to this earth are apart of this interconnected ritual. One person's waste is another's food. We are all just future compost. When facing tremendous forms of destruction human unconsciousness can awaken. Such soul searching forces us to listen to both past and future voices. Those aware may question if our future is ecologically more endangered each day. Given the exponential growth of our human footprints our world's survival depends upon sustaining life. As we become more sensitive to how delicate the carrying capacity of our eco-systems we can see a direct connection to our very soul. This is reflected by diverse spiritual and religious leaders appeal to one common universal concern- the fate of our beloved planet earth.

Simply we depend on our environment to live. Everyday you see increased evidence of how people of all walks are sensitive whether our distant generations are left a legacy. Without investing in our future a pandemic of despair may erupt among the young and cause unprecedented societal problems.

Do we belong to the land or does the land belong to us? Already our neglect of the earth is making this planet unlivable for many beings. We are running quickly out of time due to man's delusion that we are "Masters of the Universe." What action must we take for us to further survive? We have a sacred instruction form the 60,000 years of shared wisdom that our wise native ancestors left for us to care for our earth. Indigenous people have always believed that we belong to the land not the land belongs to people.

Developing more sustainable ways of living are becoming critical. For example European agricultural subsidies now are economically encouraging farmers to become better land stewards. In other parts of the world two-thirds of water goes to irrigation sparking an enormous debate on what make the best overall sense. Quickly, we are finding how important our environment is with everything we do instead of isolating this as just another societal concern. The canary in the coal mine is beginning to look for air.

Increased attention by all religious organizations is awakening humans to the divinity of our ecological interrelationships. This is a powerful force to shape new lifestyle and attitudes regarding the ills of over consumption of natural resources. Spiritual leadership also is supported by increased scientific findings that the earth is requiring not just increased care but such mending is essential to preventing global destruction. The real question is can interfaith alliances work together to converge people to unified efforts toward conservation and preservation. Many misperceptions and divergent worldviews require not only dialogue but religious involvement to overcome the barriers for the human species to act. Also there are numerous success stories such as the Sri Lanka- Sarvodaya movement to moderate consumption.

One striking fact is that in religious institutions are responsible for 34 percent of the United States volunteerism. This human capital is focused on how they can best serve to better society. What better way to show our ecological gratitude. One potential showcase is the almost 300,000 American houses of worship ( 5 percent of the commercial building floor space) shifting to more energy efficient upgrades reducing 6 million tons of CO2 saving these sacred locations roughly a half a billion dollars.

However, there has not been a rocky marriage between conservation/ environmental groups and religious organizations in speaking a common language to develop such partnerships. Even though similar values may be shared these two groups in many instances are not singing to the same sheet of music.

Is it because we have not addressed global warming because of fear? Ironically, our cowardice is creating more warming so we must think and be cool since getting heat-up mentally is not going to do anything. Just the simple act of caring has a tremendous cooling effect. Let's see our journey as delicate and best make our visit enjoyable

This is a critical time to foster a clear insight of how we as a people will walk on this dangerous razor edge ¾our future. Every moment provides us with the opportunity to act with grace. Even seeing our heavens at night is being threatened by this global pollution according to astronomers.

The late Harvard Scientist and world expert, Stephen Jay Gould remarked that this battle to save the environment requires… forging an emotional/spiritual bond between nature and ourselves" David Orr cites that what is missing is love to engage the many polarized organizations to champion a relationship emulating the compassion of Greek God of nature, Pan. Our ultimate question is when and how will religious and spiritual groups going to awaken a significant amount of humans toward collective action. Can we as human invest in making our tomorrow more promising? Finally we will need to pray together not on each other and ask for divine forgiveness since we may have trespassed upon something more grave then our final resting place.

Below are some ideas of how to go forth, what are yours? I challenge you to become more creative and coolly act! Question consumption and find ways to insure our future!

There are three fun ways to cool our earth down! 1) Reduce; 2) Reuse; and 3) Recycle:

Reduce- Follow nature- use less and save more Reuse - Use everything you have since mending is better then ending. Recycle - Keep it in play or get it back so we can have it another day!

REDUCE
  • Drive a care that is more fuel efficient. Also, when you drive can you plan your trip to be more efficient? Create milk runs so that your errands and visits save you gas and cash. Walk, bike and use public transportation as much as possible. See about car-pooling or sharing a ride when you can.
  • Use less is best; conserve water by taking shorter showers.
  • Install water-saving plumbing fixtures cutting your water use by one-quarter.
  • Turn off the water while brushing teeth or doing dishes; shorten your shower time.
  • Water outside early in the morning to minimize evaporation.
  • Wash your car more often with a bucket than a hose.
  • Design yard and garden around less water use and prevent erosion.
  • Less water on your lawn means less mowing; cut one third of the height of the grass blades and leave clipping on lawns as fertilizer.
  • Lessen the use of hazardous chemicals when possible and find safer non toxic substitutes.
  • Buy products in quantities (also of recycled material) that will use up, so there will be no future leftovers.
  • Reduce the amount of energy you use and save money.
RE-USE
  • REMEMBER, use a refillable instead of disposable.
  • One waste is another's food.
  • Take extra household hazardous waste such as batteries, fluorescent lamps, electronics, used oil, paints, and anti-freeze to be reused.
  • Take your roof runoff to feed your plants and trees, create rain gardens.
  • Save your cold water by starting a shower to water your indoor plants.
  • Donate your reusable home products such as clothing and other goods to thrift or a local charity.
RECYCLE
  • Recycle paper, metals, plastic, glass and such hazardous items such as computers, fluorescent lamps, batteries, used oils, paints, mercury lamps and thermometers.
  • Recycle your soils by making compost. Leave vegetation on steep slopes. Leave grass clippings on lawn and compost.
  • Divert up to one third of your home's organic waste from your trash. Compost is natural fertilizer. Keeping food wastes out of your drains helps to lessen septic and wastewater discharge.



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