What Does Earth Day 2010 Mean to Me? – My Opinion May Surprise You
April 14th, 2010 | Published in Opinions From Chris | 22 Comments
I could tell you about the importance of recycling, keeping wildlife protected and so on, but you already know about these things. We all should be responsible stewards of this planet and protect it and its inhabitants as best we can. However, I want to go a little deeper into what Earth Day means to me. 
On April 22nd 1970, Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin saw his dream come true and Earth Day was born. Various organizations around the country wanted to bring awareness to the people about the damage us humans had on the environment. Many say that this marked the beginning of the environmental movement.
Now, 40 years later we are more aware of the products we buy, the cars we drive and the effects we have on wildlife and the environment. All around us companies are making eco friendly alternatives and car manufacturers mileage standards are way up. I’d say we’ve made good strides in most areas.
My background story
Some of you may know that I’m a pet sitter and have loved animals all my life and wouldn’t think of hurting one. (except for spiders and ants, but I feel guilty about it!). When I launched my online pet products store, I naturally gravitated towards eco friendly and holistic pet products.
Me with some friends
My father was an immigrant from a very poor town in Southern Italy and taught me and my brothers the value of a dollar and not to waste it. When something broke, he fixed it. I can remember him recycling when I was just a kid which was way before it was a popular thing to do. It was ingrained in me from a very early age to respect the things we have and not to be wasteful. As an adult, I have kept that tradition going.
Having said all that…..
For the first time in human history, humans now have the ability to change the ecology of our planet. The pollutants and waste that we produce is having an effect on the environment as it has never had before. Therefore, we as an intelligent species have a responsibility to overcome and fix our shortcomings.
That is all well and good and I’m totally on board with that, BUT we must not forget that humans are part of this Earth. We didn’t come here from another place outside the universe, we are a part of it and as a part of the whole, we should be protected too.
When government uses environmental policies to make a political point and disregard the fact that humans can also be harmed by these policies is abhorrent to me.
Child suffering from malaria
Did you know that after 25 years after banning DDT, there were 50 million preventable deaths? In 2006 the World Health Organization reversed its ban and endorsed the use of DDT to combat Malaria. However a U.N. agency reverted back to endorsing less effective ways, such as chloroquine to win the war on Malaria. As a result, millions more poor people will die. The DDT kept the mosquito population as bay, but when that was gone, the people had no defense. I’m not saying DDT is good or bad, I’m just pointing out that politics should not win out over human suffering.
Delta Smelt
Here in California in the San Joaquin Valley, the bread basket of America, 30-40,000 farmers have been put out of work and tens of thousands of acres are bone dry because they turned off the water supply to save a 2 inch Delta Smelt Fish. This in turn, raises the price of food and we will have to get it from other countries. If we are trying to buy local, why would they shut off the water of our local farmers and force us to go outside the area? It’s just counter intuitive to me.
These are just two examples over many years that policy has won over human heartache and suffering.
So, what does Earth Day mean to me?
It means that we as thinking, feeling beings have the responsibility to look after our oceans, forests and wildlife. However, we are one with the Earth and have a moral duty to protect our fellow man.
I would prefer decisions were not made for a political point and made with “what is the best solution for all involved”. Sometimes we have to think outside the box and not shut down lumber companies to save the Spotted Owl, for instance. Isn’t there another way, so no species has to suffer? And, if a solution can’t be found, who do we chose to save – Human or Smelt?
Chris L Wagner
From One Pet Lover To Another
April 15th, 2010 at 7:28 am (#)
Chris – thanks so much for your thoughtful post. I appreciate your perspective and am glad you chose to share your thoughts.
Jane
Jane Neumiller-Bustad´s last blog ..Fabulous Friday Web Freebie: WiseStamp
April 16th, 2010 at 4:00 am (#)
Well done. If people followed the simple advice to love our neighbors as ourselves, we would not have the problems that we have today. We should put others’ needs ahead of our own. That self-sacrificing attitude would make a world of difference… literally.
April 19th, 2010 at 10:20 am (#)
I like your approach here Chris because it’s balanced. You’re absolutely correct in saying decisions to protect the environment should also protect the health of humans who are an equally valuable species in our environment.
Catherine Lockey´s last blog ..Beauty and the Brain: Neuroesthetics and Web Design
April 19th, 2010 at 10:35 am (#)
Great blog! I love the info about the Earth Day and pets. I am a pet parent so staying up to date on info is important for me. I also really like your website. I may need travel items as I may be on the road in a month or so. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
April 19th, 2010 at 11:55 am (#)
Chris – thanks so much for opening up a conversation and allowing us all to be a bit more introspective when it comes to these topics. I too have questioned what is the greater good in some of these political decisions and don’t agree with all of them as well. I’m trying to do my part in recycling and reusing,composting and being more aware of everyday changes we can make that do add up to a big difference.
Joy Poulsen´s last blog ..Putting your Own Oxygen Mask on First Ladies
April 19th, 2010 at 12:02 pm (#)
Hi Joy, yes we can all do our part by recycling, but not loose site of caring for us too. I think politics gets in the way and the reasons are not so altruistic.
April 19th, 2010 at 12:03 pm (#)
Hi Catherine, I tried to make it balanced and just show the other side of the environmental movement. Sometimes people get too caught up in the religion of being green and lose site of what matters most.
April 19th, 2010 at 4:33 pm (#)
Hi Chris, wow, I never thought of the whole policy making thing in that way at all. This is an eye opener. You are making little changes just by selling eco-friendly products. I am an animal lover myself and love, love dogs (animal science major in college…lol) and I appreciate what you’re doing.
Thanks for a great post!
Anna
Anna´s last blog ..Fit at 75: An inspiring Story
April 20th, 2010 at 8:10 am (#)
Cool site. Maybe you should try to monetize it with
http://tiny.cc/05mrc
They do have 40 days cookie duration and they pay 10-15% commisions. They’ll match ads based on search query of your visitors and display relevant ads on you blog.
April 20th, 2010 at 9:02 am (#)
Anna, thanks for the kind words. Yes, people only hear one side of the environmental movement and don’t hear what our policies are really doing. Thanks for stopping by!
April 20th, 2010 at 9:03 am (#)
Hi, I’m don’t want to do that at this time.
Thanks
Chris
April 21st, 2010 at 11:55 am (#)
Hi Shane, that is very sweet of you for the kind words. I used to live in Arizona and I know about humongous spiders, not to mention scorpions, snakes and other reptiles!
Take care
April 21st, 2010 at 4:05 pm (#)
Nice post. The fact that the human species is also an integral part of the ecosystem, not just the owners/abusers/protectors often get lost.
Occasionally I’ll go off on a rant about homo sapiens being on the road to extinction. This is usually triggered by someone going on about how we need to save the Earth. What we need to do is save ourselves. If we don’t begin to work in concert with the environment as if we are part of it, Mother Earth will deal with us and go on about her business. (Enough Kerry, get off your soap box!)
Kerry Hargraves
http://creativeadventures.com
Life is an occasion. Rise to it!
Kerry Hargraves´s last blog ..Who Picks the Colors?
April 22nd, 2010 at 6:36 am (#)
For years I have taught “the Law of Intended Consequences”. I think if people and groups before deciding asked about this law, might be surprised what they see!
Great post!
Ann Evanston
The Warrior is Within You
Ann Evanston´s last blog ..Facebookology: Meet our fan: Michael Clark
April 22nd, 2010 at 6:56 am (#)
Chris, you bring up an excellent point. Life altering decisions should be made with knowledge and the big picture in mind. We have to think through the consequences of what we choose to “save” & have an effective positive solution that works well for most.
Jennifer Duchene
Your Home Makeover Mixtress blending cool and cozy style.
http://home-decorating-makeovers.com/
Jennifer Duchene´s last blog ..Update your Home with easy classics
April 22nd, 2010 at 3:21 pm (#)
Your right Jennifer “what works best for most” We can’t help everyone all the time. Sometimes things sound like a good idea, but the unintended consequences are worst than the original problem. Thanks Chris
April 22nd, 2010 at 3:23 pm (#)
You’re very right. I think people (OK the Govt) goes on emotion and feel good programs that only make things worse for the whole of society. Thanks
April 22nd, 2010 at 3:27 pm (#)
Don’t worry Kerry. Mother nature will take care of us all. If we screw things up, she will still be there working on her next form of species probably hoping that they will do better than the last ones! I think the culture is changing to be more conscience of the Earth and I have faith in the human race to make it better. No, my name isn’t Polly Anna.
thanks
Chris
April 23rd, 2010 at 8:02 am (#)
Great perspective. All too often we look at things like Earth day only briefly and therefore only see one dimension. But we live in a complex world where we could all dig a little deeper to see a bigger picture. Thanks!
April 24th, 2010 at 6:20 am (#)
Hi Chris, definitely awareness for the environment but, at the same time, for humanity too. May we find the best balance here on Mother Earth.
Thanks for sharing!
April 24th, 2010 at 9:51 am (#)
I absolutely agree. Balance is the key. We can’t save everyone and everything all the time. I hope we have the wisdom to know how to find the balance.
April 24th, 2010 at 9:53 am (#)
Yes, I think the big picture is what’s needed and to find a balance between man and nature. Although Nature has taken on bigger foes than man and I think in the end will be the one standing.