A New Resolution

By Rachel Tanis

When we consider what we should do to save the environment we have three options: the first is to do nothing; the second is to do everything; the third is to make small changes and then continually improve. Under the first option, one takes no responsibility and completely turns his or her back on the environmental issue as a whole. Even those that aren’t so sure that they believe in global warming must admit that doing nothing to make the world a better place for its future inhabitants is irresponsible. Under the second option, radicals work to change their entire lives. This would mean that we have to go back to the days of horse and buggy, no electronics, no batteries, all wind power, no real quality of life that we enjoy today. Clearly this is not a viable, nor sane, option. So, that leaves the third option. Under the third option, we all have to work – making concessions – toward a better world. This means that we have to sacrifice some things, give up products that we’ve become accustomed to, and perhaps even change our lifestyles. Those who are genuinely concerned about the environment are usually on this third path. They are somewhere along the path – maybe they have just decided to switch to cloth or canvas reusable shopping bags instead of throwing away the plastic ones after each shopping trip. Perhaps they are much further down the road and they are now contemplating moving so that they can reduce their travel to work, thus reducing their carbon footprint. But, no matter where you are on the path, you can never stop making improvements. You can never stop working to make your life greener.

Take steps this New Year to commit to positive changes for the environment. If you are at the beginning of your path to a greener world, start with baby steps. Make a commitment that you can and will actually keep. In other words, don’t decide that you will reduce your carbon emissions to zero within twelve months if you have previously made no other changes to help the environment. If you are a little further down the path, consider stepping up even more in 2009. Maybe that means relocating, maybe it means something as radical as changing your career so that it aligns with your environmental beliefs.

One of the worst things to come out of 2008 are corporations which sell a package that claim to offset your carbon footprint. In other words, these companies tell you that if you are too busy or too selfish to make changes yourself, they will make them for you – for a nominal fee, of course. These companies plant trees, subsidize windmills and generally work to improve the quality of our environment with the monies that they receive, which all sounds wonderful. However, they do more harm than good by allowing people to skirt around responsibility and continue in their excessive, environmentally-harmful lifestyles.

2009 is sure to be a historic year with many changes to come. Be a part of history and take a stand for a better, greener world. Do it yourself for two reasons: you will feel like a part of the good and you never know who will be moved to action by your good example. Happy Holidays!