How many times have you heard that phrase? Leave only footprints. Just how big are the footprints swe're leaving? Footprints in the sand, on the trail, in the dust, on the planet. We all have different sized footprints and they change sizes occasionally, don‘t they. One day we might be bare foot, walking on our tip toes, the next day we might be wearing huge steel toed work boots. Even before the latest oil spill crisis, I’ve been aware of how traveling effects the size of our footprint. Our energy footprint that is. What size shoes are we wearing while seeing the world? It stresses me to think that they are bigger then when we were living our lives in Portland. They were big enough there. Our water bottle and plastic bag consumption is much more then at home. We’re not commuting to work every day but we’re renting cars, flying and taking taxis. However, we are using subways and walking way more then ever. And we’re not buying near the amount of stuff that we were. (Is this rationalization or reality?) It bothers me that our footprint has probably gone up a size. We’re being conscientious and doing our best not to add to the troubles most South American countries have with litter and pollution, but if I’m honest, if I really was so concerned about the footprint we’re leaving, we should have stayed put.
I hope that the oil spill tragedy is at least causing people to stop and think about their own foot print size. Or, as I fear is the case, are most people just continuing life as usual with their head in the sand about their impact? Will anyone change their behavior due to this tragic event? Will people buy fewer water bottles, use fewer plastic bags, drive less, buy less stuff, be a bit too warm or too chilly in their home, unplug appliances? Or will people simply vote for more off shore and land based drilling? It’s very complex; I realize the answers aren‘t easy. Even though this adventure we are on makes it more apparent then ever that we are such a itty bitty blip on the planet’s radar, we still believe that our behavior makes a difference. We’re going to be more diligent about making changes to reduce our footprint size. Thank you for reading this rant!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
Not a rant...you echo what so many of us feel as we watch this disaster on our shores grow by the day. Your thoughts and introspection only serve to remind me of what I can do daily, to mitigate my own impacts, large and small - to change my business as usual approach...this is a heartbreaking cry to change our ways, challenge our way of thinking...it calls for a paradigm shift...will it happen??? We are a culture with a shortsided, quick fix, instant gratification mind set. I am not optimistic at the moment.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, you should enjoy everyday of this journey...keep sharing your hearts with the people you meet. Your contributions to fostering friendship, understanding, and shifts in attitudes and perspectives are important for our world...your are "promoting peace, one encounter at a time".
love, Gail
We sure would like to get a perspective as to how the oil spill is being perceived and reported outside of the U.S. Please let us know if you get any sense of this. Your feelings about your travels and carbon footprint are certainly understandable but we are all feeling that now and are alternatively motivated and immobilized by the enormity of what is required.
ReplyDelete