Mother Earth Celebrating

Emerging flowers

Mother Earth celebrating!

Blessing the world

Earth Day 2017

Wrapping up Earth Day 

with a walk around the park. 

Isn't our earth grand?

Earth Day 2014... not pretty!

Earth day trash pick-up

I was saddened to see just how much litter had collected on about 100 yards of the pond's shoreline at Bassett Creek Park.  What disturbs me most is the wasteful one time use items such as polystyrene coffee cups, that might have a use of 5-10 minutes, and then be discarded. After being tossed it may take nearly an eternity to decompose.  There is also considerable up front environmental cost to producing such throw away products.

Pictured at left is the trash I was able to pick up in about an hour and a half yesterday.  I would encourage all to do your part in cleaning up the environment and lobbying for less use of styrofoam and other such disposable products.

Earth Day continued

"Every great movement must experience three stages: ridicule, discussion, adoption." 

-John Stuart Mill

As I think about Earth Day and the environmental movement I wonder about what stage it is in.  Seems we're gradually moving toward adoption.  Sadly, I know that there are still many who don't think we need to be concerned about the earth, because it will somehow figure out how to heal itself.  For many, despite evidence to the contrary, there is still a belief that the world contains a limitless supply of fresh water, oil, and minerals. There is also a dangerous perception that technology will be our savior, so we really don't need to change our wasteful habits. Many still ridicule the majority of scientist who have warned about the danger of global climate change due to excessive emissions of carbon dioxide.  However, I believe the younger generation is more concerned about the environment than many of their elders who continue to be oblivious of the need for change.

Pretty cool to see these postage stamps.  Seems that even Uncle Sam is working at getting out the "go green" message.

Try powering your own wheels. You might like it!!

Electric and manual bikes

Just last Friday I rode my bike to a luncheon meeting.  It inspired me to write a commentary, which I then submitted to the StarTribune.  I was pleased they decided to run it in today's paper, "Try powering your own wheels. You might like it!"  This ties into the 41st anniversary of Earth Day.

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On a cool blustery spring day I was torn between the desire to drive my car or ride my bike to a lunch presentation. It was being held in the heart of south Minneapolis, ten miles or so from the comforts of my home in Crystal. 

At 50 plus years of age, I had to fight off the sirens coming from of my 12-year-old car.  No, not those loud pulsating sirens that come when the panic button is pushed or something bumps up against the parked car. Rather it’s those quite, subtle sirens that I’m talking about--the kind that lures you, without thinking, into hopping in and driving.

Mind you, my car is no longer a beauty to behold.  Twelve years of Minnesota winters have it rusting round the wheel wells. Stale odors from years of driving in and around town have long since overpowered the early intoxicating new car smell. Convenience and comfort was the car’s main allure.  It could provide quick, climate controlled transportation, with soft bucket seats and soothing stereo to boot. 

My long engrained habit was to drive for most any local transportation needs. I used a bicycle only for recreational and fitness purposes.  Sometimes as a family we put bikes on a car rack and traveled to a scenic location to ride.  Kind of strange, if you think about that from a utilitarian perspective.

The day previous I had filled up my car with gas, and became painfully aware of the recent jump in prices.  I also wanted to get in either a run or bike ride sometime during the day.  So, I decided to saddle up on my bike and do the “ride thing”.  I put a bike lock in a small backpack and wrapped a Velcro strap around the right leg of my gray corduroys to keep my pants leg from being caught in the bike’s chain.  And then buckled on my shiny plastic helmet and started peddling.  Nothing overly comfortable or sexy about this mode of transportation.

Within about 45 minutes I had made it to my destination, no worse for the wear. The cool weather kept me from overheating.  I rode almost entirely on trails that brought me within a few blocks of my destination, Lutheran Social Service’s Center for Changing Lives. I was thankful for the series of trials that kept me from having to fight cars for a share of the road.  I had one small surprise upon arrival. I had forgotten the key to my bike lock at home.  I decided I could chalk it up to being a novice biker, rather than a forgetful one. 

After lunch I wheeled home. Green grass was making a much-anticipated appearance after an exceptionally long snowy Minnesota winter. I enjoyed seeing a variety of birds, all out and singing their spring songs. 

On this day I chose not to drive my car with convenience, or her alluring twin companions, quick and easy.   By taking the slower approach on my bike, not only did I get in a workout, I also enjoyed the scenery, and didn’t have to spend a dime on gas or spew toxins and CO2 into the environment. I invite you to join me in “being the change”. Ignore your car’s siren. Walk, bike or take public transportation, as you’re able.  It will benefit both you and the environment. The earth and future generations will thank you.