Grist has never been Earth Day's #1 supporter, to put it lightly. It seems sort of counter-intuitive, given that Grist is serious about environmental news and issues — seriously dry and a bit sardonic, but serious nonetheless. A "beacon in the smog," as they like to put it. So, maybe it's not too surprising that they're a little less than enthused about Earth Day because, really, “It’s not about a single day, dude, it’s about living green every day.”
We can certainly agree with that, but then again, we don't live in an ideal world. Here's what we think about it...
Yes, Earth Day won't change everything, and yes, living green on just one single day of the year is not enough. But it's something. It's an awareness, an acknowledgment that the Earth and how we treat it deserves some attention. Ideally every person would be environmentally-conscious every day of the year. But most people, unfortunately, don't live like that and even for those of us that try, we need reminders. A fresh start. "Yes, Earth Day. I can and will do better."
Bill Christofferson, the author of a biography on Gaylord Nelson, the founder of Earth Day, counters critics of Earth Day who say it's become too watered down and institutionalized — another example of greenwashing — by showing that, in effect, much of Earth Day's success is derived from the fact that it has been institutionalized. Since its first observance in 1970, it's taken root and flourished in elementary schools and universities, cultivating an "environmental ethic" in millions of young people. It may not be what hard core activists had in mind, but as long as the public is still paying attention to green issues at all, it should be viewed as an opportunity.
Gaylord Nelson, who showed up for work every morning until he was 89, always said: “Our work’s not finished. There’s a lot more to be done.” So if Earth Day manages to inspire someone to do something helpful to the Earth, anything at all — pick up one piece of trash, recycle a few bottles — in our opinion, that's better than doing nothing.
What do you think?
No, Earth Day and the more recent (*shudder*) Earth Hour are not good ideas. I've been saying this for years and I said it on a thread a few weeks ago about Earth Hour. Took a lot of flak for it too. A lot of people were of the opinion that it's "better than nothing" and that they didn't need to be made to feel bad for not doing as much as other people.
Too many part-time greenies treat Earth Day as a panacea. One day a year that they can "do their part" to save the planet. It's a salve that they apply to themselves to feel better about a year of unsustainable living. It would be better if they did nothing at all on Earth Day and, as a result, felt bad about that and decided to change their lives in some significant way.
view Cupajo's profile
At least it is something, the 'hardcore greenies' can diss the 'every little bit helps' but if you didn't BELIEVE that every little bit helped why would you even bother recycling/riding the bus/going organic in the first place? ONE person isn't going to make any difference. It needs to be a culture change.
At my church we've always used Earth Day to celebrate nature and learn something new we can do to help. At least Earth Day is there to help people LEARN more, and THINK about what they are actually doing. Don't pretend you just picked up your life one day, started biking to work, growing your own veggies, purchasing fair trade and eating organic. It is a transition, you do one step at a time to make your life more sustainable.
I'm pretty good about turning out my lights, recycling, setting the thermostat low, and not using plastic bags. This earth day I am starting my very own worm farm. Something I haven't previously been able to do, due to a relatively nomadic lifestyle during school. But I've settled down a little and I've been paying more attention to what actually goes into my trash and at least 30% of it is food, one more thing I can eliminate from the dumps is good right? It's just a couple pounds a month, I'm only one little 110lbs girl and don't eat that much but it still counts doesn't it?
view Rolen the Great's profile
Weirdly, I think this is a great Earth Day campaign. Is that an irony in iself?
view whytephoenix's profile
Oh yeah. THINKING about it. That'll do the trick. Tell you what. I'm going to THINK about paying my cable bill and then we'll see if I'm watching Burn Notice next month. Sorry, Rolen. I applaud the steps you've taken (honestly, you're doing more than most), but frankly it's still not enough. The time for small changes has passed. The time for lip-service has passed. Go big or go home. Make significant changes. Put up or shut up, as the saying goes.
Want an example? I'll give you a good one. Get your tubes tied. Convince your boyfriend/fiancee/husband to get a vasectomy. Because the single best "green" technology in the world is birth control. We need fewer mouths sucking up resources.
view Cupajo's profile