It would be a lie to say that I have always worried about the environment, or the effect that my life habits have on the earth. I have definitely been an active participant in this age of materialism, and over consumption. However, over the past few years my views have begun to slowly change. I have finally reached a point where I can honestly say that I believe that the Earth is in crises and there just might be something that I can do about it. Do I think that I can reverse Global Warming, or save a rain forest by myself? No Way. But, I do believe that every little bit helps, and that if enough people around the world make similar life changes, real progress can be made.
My wife and I have recently tried to do what we can to go green. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle has become our motto. Sometimes we really feel like we are making a difference, and other times we fail. The important thing is that we are trying, at least that is what we keep telling ourselves. But, I think that I am now ready to make drastic life changes, at least on a trial basis. I will dramatically change my lifestyle, for the next thirty days. Surely, I can do anything for thirty days, right? Hopefully the new habits will become a part of me, and I will stick to it, even past that point. But, for now I am just going to focus on the short term.
My wife and I have recently tried to do what we can to go green. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle has become our motto. Sometimes we really feel like we are making a difference, and other times we fail. The important thing is that we are trying, at least that is what we keep telling ourselves. But, I think that I am now ready to make drastic life changes, at least on a trial basis. I will dramatically change my lifestyle, for the next thirty days. Surely, I can do anything for thirty days, right? Hopefully the new habits will become a part of me, and I will stick to it, even past that point. But, for now I am just going to focus on the short term.
So Here's The Plan
First, I went to PETA.ORG, and signed their "Pledge to Be Veg For 30 Days." I committed to refrain from eating any meat, fish, dairy, or eggs for the next month. In other words, I will be a Vegan. According to the site "Eating one pound of meat emits the same amount of green house gasses as driving an SUV 40 miles." My wife and I traded in our big SUV for an economy car last year, so I was shocked to find out that my meat addiction is just as damaging. Here are some other benefits of giving up meat that PETA lists:
More than Just CO2
Raising animals for their flesh, eggs, and milk is one of the world’s leading emitters of carbon dioxide (CO2). But global warming is caused by more than just CO2. Animal agriculture is the leading source of methane and nitrous oxide emissions, which—combined with carbon dioxide—causes the vast majority of global warming.
Methane: The billions of farmed animals crammed into factory farms produce enormous amounts of methane, both during digestion and from the acres of cesspools filled with feces that they excrete. Methane is more than 20 times as powerful as carbon dioxide at trapping heat in our atmosphere.5 Statistics from the Environmental Protection Agency show that animal agriculture is the number one source of methane emissions in the U.S.6
Nitrous Oxide: Nitrous oxide is about 300 times more potent as a global warming gas than carbon dioxide. According to the U.N., the meat, egg, and dairy industries account for a staggering 65 percent of worldwide nitrous oxide emissions.
Raising animals for their flesh, eggs, and milk is one of the world’s leading emitters of carbon dioxide (CO2). But global warming is caused by more than just CO2. Animal agriculture is the leading source of methane and nitrous oxide emissions, which—combined with carbon dioxide—causes the vast majority of global warming.
Methane: The billions of farmed animals crammed into factory farms produce enormous amounts of methane, both during digestion and from the acres of cesspools filled with feces that they excrete. Methane is more than 20 times as powerful as carbon dioxide at trapping heat in our atmosphere.5 Statistics from the Environmental Protection Agency show that animal agriculture is the number one source of methane emissions in the U.S.6
Nitrous Oxide: Nitrous oxide is about 300 times more potent as a global warming gas than carbon dioxide. According to the U.N., the meat, egg, and dairy industries account for a staggering 65 percent of worldwide nitrous oxide emissions.
My next problem, over consumption. I am a notorious shopper, and spender. I have spent most of my 33 years trying to "keep up with the Jones." So for the next thirty days, there are going to be some sad store owners, because I'm not gonna be coming. I have committed to not purchase anything for myself, except food. No clothes, no CD's, no trips to the mall. My only purchases will be at the grocery store, or the farmer's market. This will be the hardest thing i have ever tried to do. However, I will not only be helping fight Global Warming, I will also be helping save my wallet. (May it rest in Peace) Hey, in today's current economic state, this could be the best thing I could ever do. I think I just heard my wife dancing for joy!
I will also to reduce my use of my car. Unfortunately, I have to use it for work, so I will be unable to totally leave it alone. But, that is all I plan to use it for. When I am off, my feet will be my primary mode of transportation. Luckily, everywhere I really need to go is within a couple miles of the house. I would say that I would buy a bike, but that would break rule # 2. Maybe, I can barter for one?!
So those are the three most drastic changes I will make. I will of course, also keep up with the other green activities we have already made part of our daily lives, i.e. recycling, home energy saving practices, etc. I will be the first to admit that I am far from an expert on the environment, or on green living practices. This month will be a major learning process for me. My hope is that I will be able to stick with, and that it will lead to life changes, not just 30 day changes. And, maybe just maybe I might inspire some one else to do the same.
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."
— Mahatma Gandhi
— Mahatma Gandhi
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