Tuesday, April 22, 2008

This Land is Your Land!!!!

And so—Today is April 22nd…does anyone know why today is important???? Today is Earth Day! It’s the one day that we are supposed to pay attention to the Earth…you know, not litter, spit, smoke, drive a hummer etc. Over the past year or two every magazine and news report has mentioned the importance of decreasing our “carbon foot print” and tips on “how to go green”. But at the end of the day what is the importance of Earth Day? Is it to remind us how we are continually year after year mucking up our environment? Is it for the benefit of corporate America to market their latest “eco-friendly” sneaker, car, yoga mat, or iPod to us?

Take a minute today and think about the Earth…think about what the concept of “Green” really is and who it is helping. We are in the midst of a paradigm shift in our society…however when we shift there are things that fall through the cracks. In our rush to the latest “Green” item… take a moment this Earth Day to think about those communities that do not have the organic market... let alone fresh produce in their local store! Think about those who are still riding in diesel busses that are causing respiration difficulties which in turn causes them to miss work and lose money and potentially a job. Think about the children that are playing on a cement playground next to a landfill or chemical plant. Take time this Earth day to reflect on those people who are being left behind in our transformation to our emergent “Green” economy. It will be these underserved communities that have less to do with global warming… that will be the ones to pay the most for it… and lose their edge on being a part of the middle class due to rising energy costs... that force them back into living check to check. When energy costs rise and gas prices rise it’s not just your utility bill that will suffer it’s your food cost, medical cost, transportation, clothing etc.

Take time to think this Earth Day... think about how we can use the emergence of this “Green” economy to lift underserved communities out of poverty and make sure that we all have the revenue and possibility of going “Green”! Happy Earth Day Everyone!

Ciao,
T.C.

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