If you haven't heard by now scientists around the world are working feverishly to save our environment. Their studying new types of alternative fuel for our cars, biodegradable materials for home construction and their trying to master hydroponic farming. These are exciting times in deed and I'm excited about doing my part to help save our wonderful planet.
I know, I know, it's easier said than done. We all recycle our paper and plastic each week but even then if the trash bin, for trash, gets full up we'll put regular trash in the "recycle only" bin. I don't know about you but I feel guilty about doing this and I always find myself looking around to see if any of my neighbors saw me do it. So here's the deal, I'm comitted to never doing this again because I really want to shrink my carbon foot print and contribute to a healthier environment.
For starters I planted two new trees a few weeks ago, they were not expensive to purchase and my wife was pleased how one of the trees made an otherwise barren portion of our property look nice. Being a Realtor she also reminded me that trees can increase the value of a home by as much as 10%, lower utilities and reduce noise as well. I know when she sells a home she gives the client a beautiful assortment of clean-burning Soy candles, which she describes as pure, all natural candles with lead-free wicks. I looked at her and thought, wow, you really are smart and as she walked away I thought, and cute too. However, I couldn't let her one-up-me so later that evening, while relaxing with a glass of wine, I just happened to mention that trees also are incredible because they simultaneously absorb carbon dioxide from the air and produce oxygen! So there you have it folks, plant more trees and you'll do what? "Simultaneously absorb carbon dioxide from the air and produce oxygen".
But hey, I'm a realistic kind of guy and I realize that not everyone wants to plant a tree or has the land on which to plant trees. So I did my research before sitting down to write this and I came up with a few alternatives for everyone. If you can't plant your own tree or have someone do it for you, consider the new wave of green giving. Check out Rainforest Forever (www.rainforestforever.org), Common Vision (www.commonvision.org) they arrive at schools all across the country and plant trees with the kids, Treebank (www.itreebank.org) allows you to make donations to a local tree planting program. And just in case you don't consider your self a tree-hugger you could volunteer you time at Back to Natives(www.backtonatives.com) their mission is to reestablish native plants and local habitat to open land overrun by nonnative weeds. OC Green Guide is a resource for eco-aware individuals (www.greenguidenetwork.com) and the Ecology Center (www.theecologycenter.org) is a nonprofit that aims to spread the word about green living through a wide range of seminars and guest speakers.
So that should be enough to keep all busy for a while, at least until my next blog about going green. Have fun and do your part to keep our planet healthy.
Clarence Hendricks
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