Okay, I'm getting scared

Canadian Arctic sheds Ice Chunk

 Sometimes it is really difficult not to lose it when I read articles like this, from BBC news. Anymore, I am becoming so concerned with the state of our environment and the overall lack of responsibility on the part of the American government and people (I include myself here), that it makes me doubt my future. Our planet is in such a precarious situation and I wonder why I am not doing more. 

 On most days, I am content with the efforts I make: I encourage my kids (see previous post) to put trash in the dumpster rather than in the yard, I recycle almost obsessively both at home and at work, I don't eat meat, take my own bags to the store,  I have yet to use air conditioning this summer, I walk or bike to work more than half of the year. I try to educate both myself and others. I also try to be conscious of how the goods I buy are produced and seldom buy needlessly. These are the things I often pride myself on doing "right." 

 But I also travel, by air, both domestically and internationally, which uses boatloads of fuel. I want to eat salads in winter and green pepper all year. This accounts for habitat destruction in South America. I sleep with a fan on...every night (fuel). And despite my best efforts, I still succumb to Affluenza on a regular basis, owning WAY more than I could possibly ever need. 

 So, what's to be done? The internal struggle between doing more and the temptation to do less wages in my mind every single day. I can be so lazy while I stand on my soapbox of environmentalism. The best statement for making a positive change is coming up in November. Our new president, whomever he may be, will be taking over at the height of our planet's tipping point and it is critical that we vote in an advocate for it's protection. I'm sure you can guess who my vote will go to but in the interest of not morphing into a political blog, I will abstain from naming him. Instead, I'd love it if every person made voting for our planet a priority. You can check politician's records on your own at On The Issues or through the League of Conservation Voters. 

 Taking care of the Earth is an issue that effects all other issues. Poverty-stricken areas are hardest hit by pollution and weather. Rising temperatures and drought will negate aid relief in Africa. Food and water shortages will continue. Health Care. Disease. Unemployment. Foreign Policy. Economy. All of these are reliant upon solving the greatest threat of my generation. Selfishly, I'd like to have glaciers on those mountains I climb.