photo via treehugger.com
The Plastiki’s Quest, and Questioning Plastic.
Remember how pensive I was after watching Fake Plastic Fish’s video? And again after The Story of Stuff? Well, I’m not just pensive anymore, it goes beyond that.
When I allow myself to sit and think about it all, I feel mentally paralyzed by the daunting task ahead. And its not because I don’t think its possible, its that I am discouraged by the apathy that I see all around me, even in my own home. Yes, we carry reusable bags, we reuse & re-purpose, we shop in bulk and we support our local CSA. But like David said in the video – its good, but its not enough to think on such a small scale anymore. And definitely not in light of recent events. It is overwhelmingly clear that indeed, a Sea of Change must occur.
But to be honest, I’ve been having a really hard time talking to the kids about the BP oil “spill”. I don’t know how to approach them about it without scaring the living daylights out of them! I haven’t figured out how to do it in alignment with my philosophies. What I want is to inform and educate them in a way that makes them feel empowered to take action. The problem is that as of right now, I don’t feel like there is anything I can do, so how can I make them feel that?
I want to encourage and nurture their natural tendency for optimism and activism. I do want them to hold on to the idea that even the smallest, youngest, and quietest voices can be heard. I want them to believe in the Butterfly Effect, that a small change can have a large impact on the whole. And I want them to know that doing something is always better than doing nothing at all. So I did what any mother would do – I made a big stink about them getting letters from the White House. But all the while, I was secretly glad that they were naive enough to think that the President actually read their letters and wrote back to them! Believe me, I recognize how pessimistic that sounds. But the more I learn, the less empowered I actually feel! And herein lies my dilemma.
I watch the news and my heart feels so heavy. I feel useless and hopeless. I don’t know what I can personally do to make a difference, but I do know that watching and waiting and doing nothing is not the answer. Maybe this calls for ideas that are not in alignment with Sofia’s Ideas on simplicity or frugality? Maybe having an eco-mentality in this situation means complex and costly convictions? Maybe instead of simplicity, this is a situation that actually calls for me to embrace the extremist parts of my personality?
I’m spinning in circles. I’m torn between my natural tendencies to jump in with all I’ve got, and my current journey and struggle towards a simpler life. But how can any of us be at peace when we know that we each have a personal responsibility in this? How can any of us be content knowing that this Sea of Change begins with us?
How have you discussed this with your family? Do you believe that “if you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem”? What can we do?
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I think that in order for “us” to even begin trying to “remedy” this “situation”, that the first thing we must do is use correct vocabulary.
According to dictionary.com
Spill: to cause or allow to run or fall from a container, esp. accidentally or wastefully: to spill a bag of marbles; to spill milk.
This implies an end. This implies a stop to the supply of what it is that is spilling. In our current “situation” there is no end. This oil is “gushing” from the depths of the earth with no end in sight.
These oil companies seem to be “overseen” by people who just left the oil companies, or are about to start their career at one. Same as the FDA, & the CDC when it pertains to pharmaceutical corporations.
In my opinion the United States is now wholly owned subsidiary of “Big Oil”, “Pharma”, and the “Banking Cartel”
The only plausible ways to fix anything?
Constitutional Convention, or Revolution…
I agree with you about using the correct vocabulary – I make it a point to always put “spill” in quotations when referring to what is going on right now.
When it comes to the conflict of interest between industry and government, what good does that knowledge do us if we dont take action? I guess thats really what I am asking here – What can we do? You say Constitutional Convention or Revolution, and I admire your passion, but I am not sure how that translates to someone like me.
What I want to know is what can we (my husband, my five children, and I) do? What should we do? Realistically.
Hi Sofia, I feel your frustration. I believe we are all part of the problem and we all have to be part of the solution to get the job done. All the pollution in the ocean and now the unrestrained oil spill is nauseating and can be overwhelming.
I hope one of the things to come out of the spill is the actual massive movement to more alternative energy. I also liked that BP is buying 35 or 36 of Kevin Costners machines that will help clean the oil from the water but we need to do more. I do feel even our tiny baby steps, bringing our own bags to the store, trying to buy more and more products that don’t contain oil (that’s a challenge), growing our organic food, shopping in bulk for some items and consistently making changes that are more sustainable and teaching others how to do the same is something. We can not give up hope and we must continue to demonstrate by our example. Writing to the President is great! What a great tool for kids to learn young. On a smaller level I have found through experience writing letters to your Senators and Governers can have an impact. Sofia you might like my post on the oil spill and the movement behind the collection of hair. People from around the world are pitching in and offering help. http://creatorscreatures.blogspot.com/2010/06/heres-how-you-can-help-with-gulf-oil.html Between my two blogs, we’ve touched on sustainability, green living tips, how to make natural bug sprays, the declining bee population, raising kids with a connection to the planet and more. Stay strong and continue to write and teach your readers how they can help live in a more greener, sustainable way.
Carol recently posted..The Frequency Of Bees
Carol,
Thanks so much for taking the time to write all of this. I just read your post, and watched the video. I am going to bookmark it, and read up on it some more before I present anything to my children. In the meanwhile, thank you so much for encouraging me to believe that these small steps we are taking are still worthwhile. It is important to me that our family is part of the solution.
I so totally relate to the emotions in this post. I don’t have kids, and I can’t imagine what it must feel like to try to explain something so devastating as our current environmental predicament to them. Circumstances conspired to land me at Wal-Mart yesterday, and it made me physically sick to my stomach. Plastic people buying plastic stuff and carrying it home in plastic bags while driving big fat gas-hogging SUV’s.
But we didn’t get into this situation in one fell swoop, and we’re not gonna get out of it that way either. All I can say is that every voice matters and every action matters. Each time your neighbors (or your children for that matter) see you doing one more “green” thing it starts to become the norm instead of the fringe.
When I’m feeling down I recite this quote by Margaret Mead: Never doubt that a small, group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
Yours in Frugal Green-ness,
Rebecca The Greeniac
http://www.GreeniacDigest.com
Rebecca The Greeniac recently posted..Riding in Circles – Memoirs of a Suburban Upbringing
Thank you, Rebecca, for taking the time to post such a valuable comment. I havent been to Wal-mart in years but I share the the same sentiment. But I have to say, even when I am checking out at the grocery store, and I see all of the plastic on the conveyor belt, I have to shake my head at my own contribution to the problem.
Thank you so much for this quote. Its inevitable that we all have those moments when we feel desperate. This will help me to remember that we have to persevere.