Working toward a Sustainable Future - the Power of the Individual

First, we would like to make an announcement… Amber, our daughter and the one who processes your orders, is a new Mom! She and her husband, Paul – our apprentice soap maker, welcomed their new daughter, Lila, into the world July 17, 2007.
This wonderful turn of events got us to thinking once again about the future, and how each time a couple chooses to have a child it is a vote for hope and a bright and beautiful future. But, when we look at the world around us, we see much has to be done, and done now, to guarantee that future.

As Al Gore notes in “An Inconvenient Truth” people tend not to recognize the effects we have on our environment until it is obvious and then feel as though they are powerless as individuals to do anything about it. I would argue that until we act as individuals at the level of our individual lives, no amount of organizational action will be successful. The small actions, the personal awareness, are essential to achieve a sustainable future.

And there are so many things we can do that have virtually no impact on our lifestyle but, added together, can make a real difference in our collective impact on the future.

Here’s a list of a few simple changes anyone can do that quickly add up to saved energy (and money) and less CO2 in the environment:
• Use compact fluorescent lights wherever you can – save energy
• Keep your vehicle’s tires inflated properly – increase mileage
• Turn off electronic devices you are not using (pull the plug!) – save energy
• Plant a tree – absorb carbon dioxide
• Avoid products with lots of packaging – less waste
• Turn down the thermostat – 2 degrees either way makes a big difference
• Walk more • Recycle • Use less hot water • and on and on…

Here are some resources for more information:
myclimate - The Climate Protection Partnership - is based on voluntary and innovative solutions for climate protection and the promotion of renewable energies & energy efficient technologies.
Carbonfund.org - another great organization where you can support climate friendly projects and offset the unavoidable carbon emissions incurred in daily life and work.
Trees for the Future Plant trees around the world to offset future carbon, increase soil and water retention and improve local economies.
National Geographic Green Guide What more can we say... The resources of National Geographic in a site with information, tips, articles and a buying guide.
The Energy Star site. Energy efficient products, homes, and more.
Earth911.org - Find Environmental info. for your local community.
"An Inconvenient Truth” site More resources and information and ways to take personal action.
Idealbite.com - for daily tips on eco-living.

This is an issue that will never be less important and I am writing more specific articles all the time on things we, as individuals, can do.
Check back often and click below to read about the new topics in this series: Trees; Electricity


		Trees for a Sustainable Future Trees Turn Back the Desert				Electricity – Em-Powering our lifestyle

We plant trees through donations to Trees for the Future and support a combination of renewable energy and energy efficiency through CarbonFund.org to balance out our carbon emissions.
That makes our home and business carbon neutral. You can be, too.

Nature can provide for the needs of people; [she] can't provide for the greed of people. -Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869-1948)