Can every day be Earth Day?
It's the annual attempt to make Earth Day important enough to get noticed. Amid the furor over Tuesday's Pennsylvania Primary and Americans' general sour mood about the country, the economy, the Iraq occupation, Earth Day will slide past with little notice from many folks here. In some parts of the world it may get a warmer greeting, but too often it simply will not even be noted.
How can Earth Day compete with Pennsylvania? The problems are so big so complex.
Well, to try to be constructive, I've looked over dozens of sites and press releases and commentaries and here are a few items that look both useful and practical.
1) If you're going to do anything about fixing, selling or renting a car this year, think about it. Consider the various options. Buy now or wait another year for some of the promised new electrics? Here's a piece by a VC exec who spends his days pondering this stuff.
2) You may not be what you eat, but you will eat nonetheless. Here's a site with loads of info and menus, etc. Big on organic. Our sister website, Chow, has loads of info on what you should consume and how to enjoy it. Is this is your year to buy more locally-gorwn food, less stuff in plastic clam shells, maybe even carry your own canvas bag to the growers' market? Here's a site that will help you find the market if you haven't already located it.
4) Know your water bottle. Eschew those with the little 7 inside the triangle on the bottom.
5) Check out the ideas for greener living from Green Guide.
6) Check out your local utility: gas, electric, water, etc. Many have conservation plans and even reimbursements. Here's just one example from the big power company in Southern California. They could pay you up to $600 if you replace an old, inefficient electric appliance with a new Energy Star one.
Happy Earth Day. Hug a tree, they suck up our CO2. Maybe it'll make your neighbors with that huge SUV feel like the turkeys they are.