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Big changes start with small steps

It’s very easy to say that you support a cleaner environment, yet putting it into action is a bit harder than it seems. As for myself, I would love to ride my bike to work or take public transportation to cut carbon emissions, however, I always find myself making excuses. Either it’s too cold out, it would take too long to get there, or I’m just too tired after a long day at work to hop on a bike to ride back home.

For people like me, I need to be reminded that there is a bigger issue out there and I can find ways in my life to help slow down the effect we are having on our environment. Just a couple months ago, I came across the website c3.newdream.org. Carbon Conscious Consumer (C3) is a national climate campaign sponsored by the Center for a New American Dream that challenges people to establish climate-friendly daily habits and inspire their friends to do the same. Each month they post a challenge that is very manageable such as pledging to bike to work one day out of the month, to bring your own bag to buy groceries or to buy one pound of local food a week.

By pledging each month, I feel more compelled to do these things. It also reminds me that it’s not that hard to make a change in the world, even if it is with small steps.

posted by katiek on 8/ 7/2007 1:44 pm | COMMENTS (6)
Comments (6)

this happens to me too. small steps are a really good reminder instead of giving up. some days it can all seem so overwhelming. thanks for the pep blog :)

btw. i saw ODE Magazine on myspace is that for real?

posted by girlwithglasses on 8/ 7/2007 10:13 pm

Yes, it's true. We are on Myspace. Help us spread the word by passing it along to your friends!

www.myspace.com/ode_magazine

posted by katiek on 8/ 8/2007 12:30 pm

I am trying to get people to mow less. In our rural area, people have started to mow from the edge of the road all the way to their fence. This increases pollution, uses scarce resources (fuel), destroys habitat, and creates a boring monoculture of short grass. Habitat for pollinators (bees, etc) is vital if we are all to continue to eat. Beauty is truely in the eye of the beholder so somehow we must change the value that short mowed grass is more beautiful and desireable than wildflowers and native grasses.

I do agree that one strip along the road is necessary for safety and that a strip along the fence is important for access/maintaince. I wish I were able to compute the actual costs of mowing all this "extra" area. Perhaps the cost of fuel will influence people not to do this, but with gas at nearly $3.00 / gal, it didn't seem to slow the mowing this summer.

posted by emporia on 10/19/2007 9:28 am

Hi...on a similar note, we have a clean lawn calculator where you can figure out the emissions you use with your lawn equipment (gas as compared to electric). You are so right, every little bit helps! The calculator can be found by going to www.cleanairlawncare.com and clicking on CLEAN LAWN CALCULATOR.

posted by mktgoddess on 7/21/2008 2:45 pm

I came to a similar conclusion as Katiek. After watching Al Gore's speech Repower America, I realized that doing nothing because I thought I could only do a little was no longer going to cut it. My new personal philosophy is that doing a little is more fulfilling than thinking that a little won't make a difference. It led me to start a blog for others who are doing a little, or a lot, to transform our world into a sustainable one. If you have a story about how you are choosing sustainability, please check out www.friendsforagreenworld.blogspot.com and send me your story.

posted by Zette on 9/23/2008 5:33 pm

Within 50 years we'll run out of oil. If that doesn't get you on your bike to save what's left for better causes like ambulances and firefighters, I don't know what will. Our children will see a new world dawning, a greener one. Let's just hope diversity hasn't been eradicated too much for humans to live in.

Doing a little without any effort will be signing my petition at

^<a href="http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/stop-the-trawler.html"^>GoPetition

www.thepetitionsite.com/7/stop-the-trawler And for those without facebook: www.gopetition.com/petitions/stop-the-trawler.html

And help to save the oceans. Past, present and future. Thank you.

posted by Shaktiva on 11/11/2009 4:27 am

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