Earth Day
Published on Apr 22, 2009 at 1:57 pm.
3 Comments.
Filed under Earth, politics.
April 22 is Earth Day. The first Earth Day was April 22, 1970. I was in school at the time. Earth Day had been announced nearly a year earlier. There were plans laid for teaching about ecology, protection of the environment, energy conservation, etc. We had an aluminum recycling drive that year, with each class collecting aluminum and the winner being the one with the most aluminum collected by Earth Day. It was an excellent way to raise awareness of environmental issues. But, the environment and pollution were big topics in the 60s and 70s. All sorts of organizations were involved in efforts to limit pollution. Many businesses organized their own energy conservation and recycling efforts. There was a move away from disposable items and towards more reusable things. The energy crisis of the 1970s furthered the whole movement. Growing up, I had thought that energy conservation, environmentalism, and recycling would grow and eventually become mainstream. What happened?
I went off to college and the dorms had recycling bins for aluminum, glass, and newspapers on every floor. Then, they removed those bins and put recycling dumpsters in the parking lots. Each group of dorms shared recycling dumpsters. Then, they moved all of the recycling dumpsters to three centralized locations on campus (centralized as far as pickup, not for where the dorms were). Then, they closed all of the recycling centers except for one at the remote physical plant office. Students and faculty had to pack up all the recyclables and drive to the one spot to drop them off. Predictably, participation in recycling dropped with the difficulty.
The economy was booming then, and consumer consumption was the “in” thing, not conservation. The economy goes through cycles, though. I came back to Texas for graduate school. Graduate school in astronomy and physics typically takes quite a few years. So, near the end of my time in grad school, the economy was taking a downturn here in Texas. The state legislature decided that it would save money to recycle and conserve energy. So, all state agencies were encouraged to recycle. The colleges and universities put cardboard bins all over campus to collect paper and aluminum cans. Over time, though, the vending machines on campus all started to have bottles, not cans. The bottles were not collected. Less paper was being thrown away, and there was most fast food Styrofoam being tossed out. The custodians complained about having to empty both recycling collections and trash, so extra staff was hired just to handle the recycling. At first, we were paid for our recyclables. Then, a whole recycling industry got going that wanted to be paid. Around here, many places that recycle have to pay to have the recyclables hauled off. College budgets were cut. So, recycling began to fade again.
What do I take from all of this? I learn that people do care about the environment. However, most people don’t want to be bothered. They want what is easy. And, when money is tight, they want what costs less. The suburban city where I live charges to recycle. Yes, you pay extra each month if you want to recycle. It is no great surprise that on recycle day, there are typically only 3 or 4 recycle bins place out on the entire street. Until I bought my home, I wanted a recycle collection center in the apartment complex where I lived. But, they would have charged the apartments to put a collection dumpster there. When you want to buy products made of recyclable materials, they often cost more at the store than the ones not made of recyclable materials. Again, it is little wonder that those products are not the best sellers.
For years, the big question at the grocery store was “paper or plastic?” I always picked paper when I had the option. The paper sacks were a useful size, and it took fewer of them than the plastic sacks. The paper sacks were also nominally degradable. Granted, once buried in a landfill, many things that would normally decompose in short order didn’t do so as quickly as people might think. Also, paper sacks were normally low grade paper and were typically made of recycled paper. They, themselves, were recyclable. But, long ago, paper sacks became no longer an option. You had a choice of “plastic or plastic.” Now, there are the reusable bags that are all over. When they started out, they were about 25 cents each. Then, the price doubled to 50 cents. Now, they are sold for $1.00 at most places around here. People quit buying them once they tripled in price. I don’t think that they necessarily tripled in the price to the stores. In fact, it might make sense for the stores to give them away or sell them below cost. After all, if people really used them, the stores would save a fortune on plastic bags! However, I have the feeling that there are a lot of people out there that are simply trying to make money off of those who are green minded. I’m not the only one feeling that way, and so there is a backlash against the green industry. That is sad.
So, that’s my tirade on the ills of “green” commercialism. All the people trying to make money off of environmentalism tend to hurt the whole movement. Now, I realize that in a capitalistic society, there will be a niche for any sort of business, and unless the green movement is commercially viable, it will die. But, sometimes I get the feeling that there are just a lot of people trying to figure out how to part me from my money. I don’t mind paying for services, but I don’t want to overpay for services (particularly since I am not overpaid myself!). I’m willing to pay some for an opportunity to be green, but there is a limit to what I and most other people will (or are able) to pay.
But, what of Earth Day? That is the title of this post. What about Earth Day, today? Won’t Earth Day celebrations help raise awareness of these issues? No. It won’t. Why not? Well, the first Earth Day was a big deal. It was something that was planned in advance. It was something that schools, organizations, and businesses worked towards for months ahead of time. It was so successful that there was another Earth Day the next year, then another, and another. It is now just another day. There are all sorts of organizations and movements declaring just about every day of the year to be such-and-such day. Just about any cause you can imagine, and many that you have never heard of, have a national day of whatever in support of their cause (or a national week or national month of whatever). I fear that Earth Day has become somewhat marginalized as yet another day. And, if you only think about doing something for the environment once a year, you are doing nothing. Every day should be a day that you think about your impact on the environment. Earth Day activities should be a way of life, otherwise you are not having any real positive impact. Maybe we need to ditch Earth Day. Instead, we need to pick one particular thing: air pollution, water pollution, recycling, etc. and have a special day for just that. Then, the next year, focus on something else. What made the original Earth Day so successful was that it was the first one. There hadn’t been anything like it before. When Earth Day comes every year, it becomes just like Arbor Day. A few people who plan activities for that day plan for some time in advance, and it is off everyone else’s radar until the day actually comes. Then, once the day is gone, it is off their radar until next year.
That’s my take on Earth Day. I am sure that it won’t be popular. But, I really think that as human beings on this planet, it is our responsibility to take care of it. That doesn’t mean getting rid of all the cars, doing without air conditioning, or any such extreme measures. But, it does mean thinking about our impact on the environment and perhaps taking a little effort and expending a little money to be better stewards of our home planet. Just a little effort on everyone’s part will go a long way. So, you might say “I don’t need a bag” when you go to the store and buy one or two things. You might combine trips for the car instead of using several trips to use less gas. Turn off a light when you leave the room. And, toss your recyclable goods in a recycle container. Don’t over-water your lawn. There are a lot of people on Earth. If everyone did just a little bit better, we’d have a huge impact. Then, next year, do a little bit more. Eventually, it becomes a lifestyle that is sustainable without breaking the bank or being inconvenient.
-Astroprof
Image courtesy NASA
Sili on April 22, 2009 at 4:28 pm: 1
Even a little effort is too much for many people.
We’re just too selfish and lazy.
Jerry Lee Mayeux on April 23, 2009 at 6:38 am: 2
Consider the Connection to:
Environmental Action
On Earth Day, I walked/biked (energy
conservation),round trip ‘84 miles,on
the Long Leaf Trace,in Mississippi,
http://www.longleaftrace.org
Please Google Search:
CTC123GREEN
Gudrun Scott on May 24, 2009 at 1:37 pm: 3
I made an appointment with both school supervisors- I live at the border of both of them.
One of them got me in touch with one teacher who happen to be a friend of mine.
We ended up flying a kite “Happy Earth Day 2009″ painted on the kite by the art class and the students made a big poster for the front yard of the school about Earth Day. Then the 6th graders went all over town and offered to help seniors and others to wash their windows and pick up trash or garden.
We concluded that next year we will get a list of seniors who have a project ready for the students to help with.
The other superintendent did not respond to any request. He is earning $160,000 annually running one single school of 406 students- they have a principal of course also etc.
So try hard next year! and all the days between…