Edgy Mama

Before offspring #2 was born, I taught an Environmental Journalism class at Warren Wilson College. The students were incredibly well-informed about environmental and ecological issues. At the same time, they had an exhausted world-weariness about the subject—a kind of “I can’t really make a difference, so why even try” mentality. Of course, they were 18-22, an age group that excels at world-weariness. We spent a great deal of time talking about how words and actions, even small ones, can foster change. (I would often resort to mythological stories and fairy tales: The Princess and the Pea, David and Goliath, the Ant and the Rubber Tree).

Although I gladly undertook the role of professor/cheerleader, I find that, both then and now, I often am anxious and depressed about the state of our biosphere and its future—particularly when intelligent, thoughtful people choose to ignore or disdain clear scientific evidence. Michael Crichton comes to mind at the moment—I have yet to get over one of my favorite writers writing such an irresponsible, poorly researched novel. Enviro-spouse, who makes a living teaching people how systems behave over time, says that humans, in general, are not particularly good at long-term thinking or planning. This defect, which may have contributed to our evolutionary survival, may, ironically, predicate our downfall.

So, what to do? Below there’s a link to Environmental Defense’s 20 Simple Steps to Undo Global Warming. At our home, we have solar hot water and heat (an up-front investment for long-term payback—plus a nice, big tax refund in NC). We have an organic garden. We like to plant trees. We recycle. We plan to buy a hybrid car. Little steps, simple steps…but think what might happen if everyone, everywhere, made one change today towards long-term biosphere health? So, what are you going to do for our world and our future today?