So I dragged my six year old and my mom out to see David Suzuki speak tonight at the U of R.  Now, first of all, taking a six year old to a two hour long event may seem like a reportable to social services kind of event... but you're FORGETTING that this is a six year old who's momma was in diapers and leafleting for the NDP.  So she's no typical six year old.  Besides, what better to distract her for two hours than to bring along crayons and some paper, a cell phone with games, and my mp3 player.  Plus my mom brought snacks.

 

Anyway, it seems as though it was more of an issue motivating my friends to come!!  That said, I won't name any names.  But I will say that it's a shame, they missed a great night.

 

So, I guess my job is to tell this to my five readers (you know who you are!!).  Please go to http://www.davidsuzuki.org and become informed about why I decided to go this evening.  Not only did I see my kick ass neighbor go up to the podium and tell us we should all get into public transportation (which I hole heartedly agree!!), but I also heard more about what I already know.  We ALL know what we can do to better the world, it's not rocket science.  In fact, it's pretty simple.  Back in the late 80's, the environment was a HUGE election issue, and we voted in the conservatives who erased all of the good work done at that time.  Our country was about to make contributions to the environment, but instead we wanted less taxes and more more more more dollars into more more more hospitals and tax breaks to corporations.  We elected a government that supports oil and gas before health care.  Gross. 

 

So here are some things you NEED TO DO RIGHT NOW.

 

1.  Walk to the video store and rent An Inconvienient Truth and Who Killed the Electric Car. 

2.  Recycle as much as you possibly can. 

3.  Change your lightbulbs to something NOT incandescent.

4.  Turn off the water when you brush your teeth.

5.  Walk instead of drive.  Take a bus instead of drive.  Even if it's once a week.

6.  Start thinking about elections.

7.  Burn your bra.

 

Okay... so don't burn your bra, it may release some crap into the atmosphere that's uncool. 

 

I got the same fear tonight as I did after watching both of the above movies.  It's a fear that my daughter may not survive this life when I could have done something.  Anything.  It is a ripple effect... and it doesn't take being an activist to do it.  It's just being concious.

 

Wanna take pot shots at me and say I've been a horrible conservationist in my lifetime?  Perhaps.  I'm trying.  If I make a harsh impact in one area, I'm going to negate it as much as I can with something else.  I'm living a heck of a lot closer to home/work now.  I am starting to walk as much as I can.  I purchased a very fuel efficient car (that has been on "e" for a week now, and still hasn't run out of gas), and I'm vermicomposting.  Plus sorting my recycleables.  If I can do it ANYONE can do it.

 

Sigh... anyway... soon I shall hit the couch and fall asleep.  With the lights/tv/computer off.