We recently heard a psychologist talking on the radio about the reasons that individuals do not get involved in serious situations. One of the three reasons he discussed was the common thought that “someone else” would take care of it.
It is easy in the face of the volume of conflicting information about what we should be doing to reduce the human footprint on nature, to think that individually we can have no real impact. However, like the small change that adds up in our pockets and purses, if each one of us took a few small actions, the sum of those actions would soon add up. There are many small actions that we can individually do to add our “two cents” to the solution.
For example, reducing the heat energy loss in our homes by sealing drafts around walls, doors and windows could reduce the energy used, and incidentally the amount of money we spend on keeping warm, by up to 10%. Choosing garden plants and lawns that flourish without chemical pesticides is healthier for nature and we humans who are also a part of the biosphere. Eating even one less meat portion a week would reduce both the excessive energy and water consumption associated with the production of meat. Eating less meat is also healthier. According to the Nature Challenge backgrounder, an Oxford University study showed that vegetarians had a 24% reduction in mortality from heart disease than meat eaters. The Oxford study accounted for other factors such as smoking, exercise, and socio-economic class. Walking and cycling are cheaper and healthier than travelling by car, in addition to using less energy and producing less greenhouse gases. Buying local organic produce provides you with food that tastes better, is not likely to be contaminated by chemical treatments, supports local producers (helping to guarantee food security), and uses less energy.
And finally, each one of us can become involved in spreading the word about the importance of protecting nature. A healthier environment for humans and the other creatures we love to observe as naturalists is not possible unless each one of us takes whatever small steps we can now. How, in 2003, are you going to add your “two cents?”
Note: To take the Nature Challenge and add to the numbers of people doing so, visit the following website (at the site you can also send a fax to Federal politicians challenging them to also take the Challenge):
