Blog Action Day
Today a whole lot of people are getting together to blog about the environment.
It was very easy for me to grow up as an environmentalist. I grew up in the mountains of New Mexico, and I thought they were absolutely beautiful and wholly worth preserving. I chose today's icon because it reminds me of the cottonwoods and aspens of my home state. Only afterwards did I realize that she's a literal treehugger . ^_~
I could blog quite a bit about why we all should take care of the planet, go into the usual reasons cited by people who are trying to convince others that effort is worthwhile, but the truth is this: I do it for the beauty and because I care. I think Nature is inherently a thing of wonder and I feel a personal connection to it. In my mind, the Earth and its people are my extended family, and dysfunctional as it may be, I think it's worth fighting for. Before you think that I'm all starlight and bubbles with my head in some kind of idealistic wonderland, I want to make it clear that I get how effed-up things are. I just think there's a lot more action to be taken, a lot more things to try, before throwing up our hands and giving it all up as a loss. There is a massive space for hope.
I thought the thing I'd like most to give people would be some resources for self-education and action. Here are some of my favorite documentaries, books, websites, and one, wonderful magazine:
The Corporation -- This is probably my all time favorite documentary. It really changed my world view, helped me understand how we got to where we are today, and who holds the power. The research is very solid, and it is well told.
The Ecology of Commerce by Paul Hawken -- I have this one checked out from the library right now. It's very exciting to me because it presents ideas for building a new, sustainable, business model. We want to make Studio Kensai jive with our beliefs right from the start, and this will help us do that.
Kilowatt Ours -- This is a simple, straightforward documentary about where our electricity comes from (especially in the southeast), and how we can take control and switch to green sources. I especially liked it because it talks specifically about the area I live in and shows how truly easy and possible making that change is.
Here is a list of some environmental websites who I have send me action alerts etc.:
http://www.nrdconline.org (Natural Resources Defense Council)
http://www.therainforestsite.com/
http://www.environmentaldefense.org/
http://www.sierraclub.org/
http://www.ucsusa.org/ (Union of Concerned Scientists)
Last but not least--
Ode Magazine -- This is the most hopeful, positive news reporting I have ever read. It always leaves me inspired.
(Please pardon any typos etc. It's late.)
It was very easy for me to grow up as an environmentalist. I grew up in the mountains of New Mexico, and I thought they were absolutely beautiful and wholly worth preserving. I chose today's icon because it reminds me of the cottonwoods and aspens of my home state. Only afterwards did I realize that she's a literal treehugger . ^_~
I could blog quite a bit about why we all should take care of the planet, go into the usual reasons cited by people who are trying to convince others that effort is worthwhile, but the truth is this: I do it for the beauty and because I care. I think Nature is inherently a thing of wonder and I feel a personal connection to it. In my mind, the Earth and its people are my extended family, and dysfunctional as it may be, I think it's worth fighting for. Before you think that I'm all starlight and bubbles with my head in some kind of idealistic wonderland, I want to make it clear that I get how effed-up things are. I just think there's a lot more action to be taken, a lot more things to try, before throwing up our hands and giving it all up as a loss. There is a massive space for hope.
I thought the thing I'd like most to give people would be some resources for self-education and action. Here are some of my favorite documentaries, books, websites, and one, wonderful magazine:
The Corporation -- This is probably my all time favorite documentary. It really changed my world view, helped me understand how we got to where we are today, and who holds the power. The research is very solid, and it is well told.
The Ecology of Commerce by Paul Hawken -- I have this one checked out from the library right now. It's very exciting to me because it presents ideas for building a new, sustainable, business model. We want to make Studio Kensai jive with our beliefs right from the start, and this will help us do that.
Kilowatt Ours -- This is a simple, straightforward documentary about where our electricity comes from (especially in the southeast), and how we can take control and switch to green sources. I especially liked it because it talks specifically about the area I live in and shows how truly easy and possible making that change is.
Here is a list of some environmental websites who I have send me action alerts etc.:
http://www.nrdconline.org (Natural Resources Defense Council)
http://www.therainforestsite.com/
http://www.environmentaldefense.org/
http://www.sierraclub.org/
http://www.ucsusa.org/ (Union of Concerned Scientists)
Last but not least--
Ode Magazine -- This is the most hopeful, positive news reporting I have ever read. It always leaves me inspired.
(Please pardon any typos etc. It's late.)