I find myself too often thinking of all the things I'll do in the future, I dream lists of ways I can make a difference later on. I think things like, "when I have the money to get my own house, I'll have it designed to be ecologically sound. And when I have my own family, I'll make sure that we all take short showers and recycle everything possible." As I'm finding, and as anyone with their own house or family can attest to: life doesn't get easier as you go along. In fact, the common trend is that as you get older you acquire more, not less responsibilities and you find yourself with less, not more time to do the things you've always wanted to do. I study environmental science at the University of South Florida, I wear my Simple shoes (www.simpleshoes.com) made of recycled materials, and I drive a gas-efficient car, but I know there is more that I could do. And there is no time better then now for me to step up and start taking action. It's time for me to stop dreaming about the things I'll do later on, and start doing them now. I have decided to spend the next ten weeks conducting a sustainability project in which I will address several aspects of living an environmentally friendly lifestyle. I will implement them into my own life, then blog about my experiences and share tips along the way so that you and your friends can join in on the fun.
Aside from being an Environmental Science student, I am also a part-time employee with Advanced Environmental Laboratories, where I help to run tests on local water and soil samples to analyze the environmental impacts of human activity. Really, the companies sending us the samples are looking to meet legal standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), but I like to look at the results of our tests as small glimpses of the larger picture that is the human impact on the Planet Earth. On days that I am not in the lab, I intern with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC). With them, I have been able to play a small role in several statewide projects based on population regeneration of threatened and endangered species. Most of these species populations are dwindling because of habitat loss, and while there isn't a lot I can do to stop development in our country, I can certainly study and assist the animals affected. My hope is that the information collected can sway developers and lawmakers to extend protections for these species before their situation becomes any worse. Aside from stating my credentials for sharing accurate information on the topic of environmental issues, I have shared my current undertakings in an effort to help you see one thing: I am busy, very busy. Like most Americans, I find myself juggling multiple tasks most hours of the day, leaving very little time for me to reevaluate my everyday habits in light of current issues, including environmental ones. I believe, however, that if taken one step at a time, I can learn to live a more sustainable lifestyle, and I can help you do so too. I only work part time, and I'm putting myself through college, so if I can afford the changes that will follow in the next ten weeks, so can you. If I can find the time in my schedule to not only make these changes in my own life, but also research them in order to better inform my audience, then you can find the time to implement some of the changes as well. No more excuses. It's time to start making a difference, here and now. Together we can save our planet, one small act at a time. 
I'm so excited to have another blog to be hooked to!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about making a difference here and now. What upsets me the most is the way people react when I tell them the importance of recycling, or hybrid cars. The reaction I get is very upsetting. Most of them say " I cannot change the world by recycling or buying a Hybrid." The change starts with one person butit will add up because we can influence others like us. We can save our planet together. It does not have to be a big difference, it can be gradual like you said. But let's not just sit there and comlain, Let's just do something, anything to start that change.
ReplyDelete