Earth Day 2009

On this wonderful day of giving thoughts and good feelings towards our planet Earth, I just want to go on record as saying that I did my part to make our home a little greener today. And while it was nothing big, it still was something.

The truth is, most all of us want our planet to stay around as long as possible. Many times though I wonder if what little we do actually makes any difference. It’s not like I’m a radical environmentalist. I take part in our weekly recycling program. That means that throughout the week I separate plastic water bottles, coke cans, glass and paper items from the normal dirty diapers and leftovers, and place the recyclable items in those massive blue bags to leave outside on the curb for the city to pick up on Friday mornings. I do sincerely hope that does help our environment though realistically I’m aware it isn’t all that much.

When I was in management for a large local grocery chain, we too had large recycle bins for the plastic bags that our customers brought back to us. Several times during the day we’d have to empty those containers by the entrance and take the bags to the back room of the store. When I first learned that the store just threw them away with the rest of the garbage I was a little upset. I asked the store director why we went through the trouble of acting like we were making a difference, when in all actuality we were deceiving the customer and making more work for ourselves. He said simply, “It makes the customer feel good so we do it.” And we all know that sales are related strategically to how well the store develops relationships with its customers.

The GCISD, Grapevine Colleyville Independent School District, gave my oldest daughter a redbud sapling to plant in honor of the upcoming Earth Day and Arbor Day awareness. We went outside, read the planting instructions, and buried the little tree. It was a neat experience to have with the kiddos. I recall doing the same thing with an oak when I was young with my Mom and Dad, brother and sister. Today, twenty-three years later, that oak is the most beautiful tree in that particular neighborhood. My family no longer lives there but it is neat to drive by the house on occasion and see where I grew up and how much larger the tree has grown.

I of course turn out the lights when I leave the room and that helps cut electric costs. I try to turn off the water to not waste it as I brush my teeth. I shower with as little water pressure as I can until the final rinse. And most importantly I ride a motorcycle when the weather is nice to save gas and to contribute to a cleaner air quality by polluting less. I’ll admit that the last of those practices is by far my favorite. I recommend motorcycles to all that are responsible and skilled enough to drive them.

Taking care of the Earth is important. I feel that we can all do our part, even if it is a small one, contributing to a healthy world. I am truly amazed at how much fun it was today to see the comments posted on Facebook and Twitter about Earth Day 2009. They ranged from serious, people doing projects with friends and family to the hilarious. Some folks, obvious kidders, went on and on about how they left their vehicles running longer today. How they took the long way home from work and upon getting home had trash-burning parties in their yards. My favorite quote today I’ll share directly from my friend Anna. “I'm gonna pull over and blow into a wind mill. That'll be my contribution.” Happy Earth Day 2009, ladies and gentlemen.