Tom Friedman, Mary Poppins, Wall Street and Your World Today

The first video I discovered here. The second was an unintentional find.

For your viewing pleasure:

Giving Up Oil For Lent

I'm cutting down on oil for lent. I'm focusing on not ever driving to work and not bringing any extra plastic bags from the store. I read was inspired by these Mennonites in Virginia that went together as a church to reduce their oil usage. I usually don't drive often to work, except when it's icy or actively precipitating. I'm having to be creative, which is OK, but I'm ready for some warm weather.

As for plastic bags, I'm just forgetful. Dillons has some great new reusable bags for 99 cents. They even stand up nice like paper bags.

I know this doesn't sound very religious, but I think it is. I think that if the climate changes significantly people will be hurt and it ain't gonna' be rich people like me. It's going to be the most disadvantaged. I know that my little steps aren't going to change the world, but I also think it's lame to not do anything just because you can't do everything. I think God calls us to do what we can.

Rhonna's Treasonous Proposal

I have an idea! My proposal is that we all take our rebate checks from the government and spend them on reducing our energy usage. That's right, we subversively force the government to spend money on reducing global warming. I know, I'm evil! Kirk & I have talked about buying a new back door that is less seive-like and a whole-house fan. You could buy insulation, a programmable thermostat, a bike to transport your body, a clothesline, a greenhouse, flourescent light bulbs (just be sure to dispose of them properly). The possibilities are endless! Join me on this underground saving of the world.

Environmental Etiquette

Today a nationally prominent environmentalist was in my library at a meeting. I was starstruck. I couldn't wait to go home and tell Kirk. That was, until the incident with the lights. I noticed that the lights were off in our Business Room which is used quite regularly. I went back and turned them on. He came out of the nearby meeting room and complained that no one had been in that room during his entire meeting and there was no reason for them to be on. I explained that when lights are off in a room, it looks like it is not available for public use. It isn't welcoming. He didn't let it go. He continued to argue with my co-worker who continued in the same line of reasoning. I walked away. I was angry. I biked to work in the rain today, so I wasn't really in the mood for criticism about the environment. I really believe that we should all do what we can to reduce the carbon emissions. I also really think that we should treat our library patrons as guests and make them feel as welcome as possible. I also think that, perhaps, he could have approached this in a more productive way. Maybe he could have asked to speak to the administration and asked our esteemed director what the library is doing to improve efficiency. Then he would have found out about the new system that was just put in that better regulates the temperature in the building, reducing our energy use. Instead he was rude to people who have no control over whether the lights are left on in the Business Room.

I really think it is time for environmentalists to reevaluate how we spread our message. Instead of berating people, I think we would get more results by living lives of example and by offering strategy in public forum. If I go to my friend's house and point out her lack of flourescent bulbs then she will come to my house and point out that a lot of the food in my kitchen was shipped there over thousands of miles. Then where are we, what have we accomplished? Anyway, my tirade for today is done.

Why not save the world?

Global Warming: blah, blah, blah. It isn't real right? Well, I think it is, but what if it isn't? The things we do that could help slow down global warming are good for us anyway. When we insulate our homes, turn down the thermostat a couple of degrees, and hang our clothes out to dry, that saves us money on our energy bills. When we walk and bike around town, that makes us healthier. When we eat locally produced foods, they taste better and we support the local economy. It's all good stuff. So even if you think Global Warming is bogus, why not do stuff that makes your life better anyway? Then, if by some crazy miracle, most of the scientists in the world are proven to be correct, you'll know you've been doing the right stuff all along.

Rhonna's Hang-ups about Global Warming

Wonderful news in this article from Christian Science Monitor. Apparently there is a movement advocating hanging clothes on the clothesline. They are even trying to pass a law in Vermont (of course it would be Vermont) that communities can not have rules against hanging up clothes. This is down-to-earth environmentalism. We can protest all we want, write letters, buy a Prius, but hanging clothes on the line is something simple and cheap that really lowers the amount of carbon we put into the atmosphere. Kirk is great about almost always hanging Isaac's diapers on the line. I'm much more inconsistent with the rest of the laundry. But this article has inspired me. Let's gather together and hang up those clothes!