WE the people --- voted for them!
I am writing this entry today out of complete dismay. Please someone must tell me how so many elected officials without any level of common sense could have been voted into office?
This week I contacted multiple government officials regarding the lack of recycling in my area. I was told over and over again that Recycling does not work and that it has nothing to do with Global Warming!
Maybe it is possible they do not own a television or cannot read and have not had the opportunity to watch Al Gore's documentary??? Or ... maybe they are just arrogant, self centered individuals who really don't care that we the people ... elected them.
I urge every person to contact their local and state representatives ... hello .. global warming is no longer a myth. We are effectively killing the planet and our troops in Iraq.
I urge each of you to find out how GREEN your lawmaker is? You will be shocked!!!
THE QUESTIONS
Do you recycle? If so, what items do you recycle?
Why it matters: Recycling saves money that would otherwise be spent on landfills or incineration. Every ton of recycled paper saves about three cubic yards of landfill space.
What type of vehicle (make and model) do you drive on most days? If it is not a hybrid, would you consider buying one?
Why it matters: Automobiles have a major impact upon the environment. According to the EPA, "driving a private car is probably a typical citizen's most 'polluting' daily activity."
Do you shop for fair-trade products and environmentally friendly cleaning products? If so, which items do you buy?
Why it matters: Fair Trade Certification empowers Third World farmers to lift themselves out of poverty by investing in their farms and communities. Environmentally friendly cleaning products make your home and daily life more Earth-friendly.
Do you shop for food products grown in Michigan (your state)? If so, which items do you buy?
Why it matters: Buying food locally reduces transportation and energy costs, reduces the need for preservatives and packaging and supports local agricultural production.
Paper or plastic?
Why it matters: Plastics are produced from waste products of oil refining. Paper bags are made from trees, which are a renewable resource. On the other hand, plastic grocery bags consume 40 percent less energy to produce and generate 80 percent less solid waste than paper bags. Environmentalists suggest bringing your own canvas bag instead of choosing.
Have you enrolled in the local recycled Energy to support renewable energy production?
Why it matters: Consumers Energy's 6-month-old Green Generation program allows customers who are willing to pay a premium to purchase all or part of their electricity from Michigan-based renewable energy sources.
Do you use herbicides or pesticides on your lawn?
Why it matters: Synthetic herbicides and pesticides are popular, but they remain controversial, especially regarding their effects on children. Of the 36 most commonly used lawn pesticides, 14 are probable or possible carcinogens, according to the nonprofit Beyond Pesticides.
Do you have a compost pile or compost bin at your home?
Why it matters: Compost reduces the amount of material that is transported to landfills or incinerators. It's one of nature's best mulches and soil amendments and can replace commercial fertilizers.
How often do you use mass transit?
Why it matters: Granted, mass transit is spotty in West Michigan. However, it does reduce fuel consumption and reduce the overall cost of transportation to society.
Do you have a rain garden or rain barrel to prevent stormwater runoff?
Why it matters: Government studies have shown that up to 70 percent of the pollution in our streams, rivers and lakes is carried there by stormwater. Rain gardens and rain barrels reduce stormwater runoff by keeping rain where it falls.
Are you actively involved with any environmental groups? If so, which ones?
Why it matters: Environmental groups educate and advocate for "green" causes.
From a "green" perspective, how would your grade yourself on a 1-10 scale?
Why it matters: Because today is a day for everyone to reflect on their "green" habits?
This week I contacted multiple government officials regarding the lack of recycling in my area. I was told over and over again that Recycling does not work and that it has nothing to do with Global Warming!
Maybe it is possible they do not own a television or cannot read and have not had the opportunity to watch Al Gore's documentary??? Or ... maybe they are just arrogant, self centered individuals who really don't care that we the people ... elected them.
I urge every person to contact their local and state representatives ... hello .. global warming is no longer a myth. We are effectively killing the planet and our troops in Iraq.
I urge each of you to find out how GREEN your lawmaker is? You will be shocked!!!
THE QUESTIONS
Do you recycle? If so, what items do you recycle?
Why it matters: Recycling saves money that would otherwise be spent on landfills or incineration. Every ton of recycled paper saves about three cubic yards of landfill space.
What type of vehicle (make and model) do you drive on most days? If it is not a hybrid, would you consider buying one?
Why it matters: Automobiles have a major impact upon the environment. According to the EPA, "driving a private car is probably a typical citizen's most 'polluting' daily activity."
Do you shop for fair-trade products and environmentally friendly cleaning products? If so, which items do you buy?
Why it matters: Fair Trade Certification empowers Third World farmers to lift themselves out of poverty by investing in their farms and communities. Environmentally friendly cleaning products make your home and daily life more Earth-friendly.
Do you shop for food products grown in Michigan (your state)? If so, which items do you buy?
Why it matters: Buying food locally reduces transportation and energy costs, reduces the need for preservatives and packaging and supports local agricultural production.
Paper or plastic?
Why it matters: Plastics are produced from waste products of oil refining. Paper bags are made from trees, which are a renewable resource. On the other hand, plastic grocery bags consume 40 percent less energy to produce and generate 80 percent less solid waste than paper bags. Environmentalists suggest bringing your own canvas bag instead of choosing.
Have you enrolled in the local recycled Energy to support renewable energy production?
Why it matters: Consumers Energy's 6-month-old Green Generation program allows customers who are willing to pay a premium to purchase all or part of their electricity from Michigan-based renewable energy sources.
Do you use herbicides or pesticides on your lawn?
Why it matters: Synthetic herbicides and pesticides are popular, but they remain controversial, especially regarding their effects on children. Of the 36 most commonly used lawn pesticides, 14 are probable or possible carcinogens, according to the nonprofit Beyond Pesticides.
Do you have a compost pile or compost bin at your home?
Why it matters: Compost reduces the amount of material that is transported to landfills or incinerators. It's one of nature's best mulches and soil amendments and can replace commercial fertilizers.
How often do you use mass transit?
Why it matters: Granted, mass transit is spotty in West Michigan. However, it does reduce fuel consumption and reduce the overall cost of transportation to society.
Do you have a rain garden or rain barrel to prevent stormwater runoff?
Why it matters: Government studies have shown that up to 70 percent of the pollution in our streams, rivers and lakes is carried there by stormwater. Rain gardens and rain barrels reduce stormwater runoff by keeping rain where it falls.
Are you actively involved with any environmental groups? If so, which ones?
Why it matters: Environmental groups educate and advocate for "green" causes.
From a "green" perspective, how would your grade yourself on a 1-10 scale?
Why it matters: Because today is a day for everyone to reflect on their "green" habits?
posted by Luciano | 21:13
1 Comments:
Thanks for the interesting post!
Elisabeth Garson
www.livingwageclothing.com
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