Eyes of the Cosmic Whale
“…leaving the heavens naked, glistening blue-black, like the belly of some cosmic whale…”Archive for Blog Action Day
The little things matter in the greener life

Today’s post is dedicated to the difference each one of us can make when it comes to climate change and to the bloggers of Blog Action Day.
Global warming is everywhere. It’s a phenomenon that has, in some ways, already changed our lives. When a mid-winter day is warm and sunny, people explain it with an “It’s global warming”. When I see ads for “greener” products, I know it’s because of global warming. When I read of polar ice caps melting, or polar bears’ habitats being destroyed, I think “global warming”.
Global warming’s a big thing. What’s sad is that it was caused by us humans. What’s sadder is that it will consume life as we know it (and that includes our very existence).
This shouldn’t be a reason to feel discouraged or suicidal or whatever. It’s not all lost. (Yet.)
Which is exactly why all of us need to do the simplest of things: live consciously. The little things matter, and they’re easily changeable.
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If your tap won’t close itself properly, battle it (or repair it).
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If you see a light on in a room but no one’s in it (very likely if you have afraid-of-the-dark sibilings or sons), turn it off.
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If there’s a charging device plugged on but nothing’s getting charged, unplug it.
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Time your showers, and make an effort to shorten them by a minute every time.
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Explain the phenomenon to young children, and make sure they know of its consequences (“Think of the penguins! Think of the polar bears!”)
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Turn off your printer and computer screen when you’re not using it (even better, turn off the computer)
Those are the little things that won’t cost a penny to change (and might save you more than one in electricity and water).
Those are the little things that matter when you’re trying to live a greener life. And they’re also the little things that make a difference.