Wow

Wow. All of this stuff is overwhelming—the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the bomb threat in Times Square, the record rainfall in Tennessee, U.S.’s revealed 5,113 nuclear warheads, and lets not forget the whole issue of global warming presented to us just recently in “The Inconvenient Truth” along with these other current, disastrous events. It gets hard to take in, especially for a college student. And with all of this in front of our faces we also have the added pressure to be Green?!?!

A month or so ago, I probably would’ve asked this same question with even more sarcasm and attitude (actually, it probably would’ve never even crossed my mind). But that was a month ago. I can honestly say that in these few weeks, I have become SUCH a different person. I’ve become more aware, more educated, and more active. I’ve learned to become citizen not only of my country, but of the world—a global citizen, of course.

In these few weeks I’ve learned how even the littlest of things (I can do) can help bring about a greener, better future, and although I agree with Steffi on how I really don’t understand how just I can make a difference, after following these projects and seeing how fast these “little things” spread, I’m starting to see the difference. Also, writing and following these blogs have made me realize exactly how many people are actually making a difference…and there are a lot! We just have to be open to them and uncover them for ourselves. It’s really not that hard. Actually, it’s a lot easier!

With this mindset, and a little patience and dedication, we have nothing else stopping us but ourselves. And right now, we have no choice but to start doing something because there will be a time when it will be too late.

I stumbled upon this quote a while back and now I think I understand exactly what the person was trying to say. It’s the harsh truth and nothing more:

“And Man created the plastic bag and the tin and aluminum can and the cellophane wrapper and the paper plate, and this was good because Man could then take his automobile and buy all his food in one place and He could save that which was good to eat in the refrigerator and throw away that which had no further use.  And soon the earth was covered with plastic bags and aluminum cans and paper plates and disposable bottles and there was nowhere to sit down or walk, and Man shook his head and cried:  "Look at this Godawful mess." 

~Art Buchwald, 1970

It just shows that we need to:

stop,

realize,

accept,

and take responsibility

of our own “mess”.

That is the only way we can change for good. 

On a lighter note, I came across these political cartoons that basically sum up what I said but in a more humorous, hopeful way:

So when we do walk away from this class, let's not forget this!

- Nia