With the turning of the calendar, many of us will find ourselves thinking about ways of improving ourselves, our families and our lot in life. I don't know about you, but 2008 sure left me feeling like many things were wrong on many fronts in our world. It gets to be a bit much with drought, fires, foreclosures, the falling stock market, shuttered stores and job losses. This is in addition to our continuing macro problems like climate change, failed immigration policies and ongoing wars in the Middle East. Thinking about all of these things at once can be downright depressing; so, we've got to have hope. We will soon have a new President and whether or not you voted for him, I'm sure we can all agree that we wish him much success in correcting the course of our nation.
While fixing the nation's problems are mostly out of our control, I'm writing this week to encourage you to do what you can do. Rather than making New Year's resolutions that focus on just exercise or diet, though there is nothing wrong with exercising and dieting, think about the contributions you can make to your community and your world. Our world is undoubtedly on an unsustainable path that needs to change if we're going to make it. While this is change that won't occur overnight, it is change that needs to occur faster than it has been. Just how many more signs of unsustainability do we need to get hit over the head with?
What exactly is it that you can do? I'm not asking you to sell your car, eat a strictly vegan diet and become one with your garden soil tomorrow, I'm asking you to think about the eco-hill in front of us and join me in pushing the ball a bit higher up the hill. For each of us, this could mean something entirely different because we all have different habits and are starting in a different place. Here are six thoughts to get you started.
n Drive less: For many of us, our car represents one of our most unsustainable practices. I readily acknowledge that we don't live in a community with an extensive public transportation network that can serve our every transportation need. Now that I've agreed with you on that point, can you agree that at least some of your car trips could be replaced with walking, biking, or carpooling? All I'm asking you to do is think before your drive.
- BYOB: Strive to bring your own bags to every store you visit. I consider "bringing your own bag" to be the "gateway drug" to a more sustainable future. Why? Because everyone I know that's developed the habit feels good about themselves and feels energized about their new eco-habit. It just may lead to more hard-core eco-practices.
- Buy local & buy smarter: Everything we purchase comes with an environmental impact. Buying things that are grown and produced locally and sold by local merchants is a good start to living a greener life AND supporting our local economy.
- Adjust your thermostat: Right now in the deep winter is when many of us are adding a major chunk to our personal carbon footprints just by heating our homes. Start with where you keep the thermostat now and try adjusting it just one degree down. Reach for your sweatshirt instead of reaching for the thermostat.
- Eat less meat: Start with having a vegetarian meal for dinner one night per week. I saved this idea for last because I know that meat is near and dear to many of us. I haven't had a Big Mac since the '80s and still relish the taste of one. The facts are, however, that beef comes with a huge (really huge) environmental footprint. Just consider the water impact alone. It roughly takes 60, 108, 168, 229 pounds of water to produce a pound of potatoes, wheat, corn and rice respectively. A pound of beef however, requires 12,000 gallons of water.
- Join a Morgan Hill Carbon Diet Club: In 30 days, we'll help you lose 5,000 pounds. Each club meets as a group to get tools, share ideas and get resources to reduce each household's carbon footprint. If you want to learn more about developing a more sustainable household, come join our upcoming Carbon Diet Club. The first meeting will be at 7 p.m. Jan. 22 at the City's Development Services Center (old library building) on the corner of Peak and Main avenues. For more information, contact Rebecca Fotu at 779-7247 or rebecca.fotu@morganhill.ca.gov. If that date doesn't work for you, contact Rebecca to join the waiting list for the next one. It's free, fun and a great way to meet your community.
Happy New Year, Morgan Hill, and thanks for your ongoing efforts to make a more sustainable community.
Eco-Fact of the Week:
Eco-Web Pages of the Week: A very nice list of "green resolutions" can be found on the site of that ultra-liberal publication, U.S. News and World Reports. Check it out at www.usnews.com/blogs/fresh-greens/2008/12/30/green-new-years-resolutions-for-the-home.html.
Tony Eulo Anthony Eulo is the environmental programs manager for the city and assistant to the city manager. He welcomes questions, comments and thoughts and can be reached at 779-7247.
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