Earth Day 2010 and Beyond

When President Obama challenged us to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day April 22 by making our lives more energy efficient, I’m sure many decided that meant a longer nap for the day—what better way to conserve energy!

Yet, there are better ways. We live in a state and community known to be conservative, yet despite this perception, a rampant waste of resources abounds. I’m not talking about government, businesses, or our schools. …but in our kitchens, and homes. According to the EPA, the average American produces about 4.4 pounds of garbage a day, or a total of 29 pounds per week and 1,600 pounds a year. We have become a “throwaway society.” It has become acceptable to throw things away that have hardly been used, worn, read, watched, or even eaten. If we don’t throw them away, we hoard them and build or rent more storage sheds to house them. We are Henry David Thoreau’s worst nightmare. He claimed, “A man is rich in proportion to the number of things he can afford to let alone,” not by what he owns. I doubt that Thoreau ever had a storage shed, much less a garbage can.

     We have become a nation of over-purchasers of over–packaged and over-processed products and foods. We cannot possibly use all the things we buy, nor do we “need” them; so instead we “liberally” waste food, clothing, media, electronics, toys, water, and time. Unless you are blessed to be living with a very attentive and conscientious keeper of the home, your refrigerator, cupboards, and closets are probably stuffed with products you probably won’t eat or wear, nor remember having. Your children probably have so many things, they can’t keep their rooms clean. Yet each item required energy to grow or create, and you likewise exerted energy to earn the cash to buy it. By trashing it you waste energy on many levels. (Contemplate: “Willful waste brings woeful want.” Thomas Fuller)

     My Aunt Orpha was a wise steward in regards to energy. One summer I stayed with her for a month in N. Hollywood, and before preparing each meal she would ask her two children and myself, how many carrots we would eat for lunch, or potato slices, etc. and that is exactly what she would fix. No more, no less. There was little waste, nor garbage in that household. She believed, as did T. L. Peacock, that “The waste of plenty is the resource of scarcity.”

     We often buy things that serve no needful purpose, and then complain that we have no money, our home is cluttered, and we can’t find anything. These “tinkling bells” deplete our finances and time, infringe on our counter space, rot in our refrigerators, and spoil our children. As a result we throw more away weekly, than most citizens of the world may see in a year. Wouldn’t it be a wiser use of resources to cut back on personal wants within our family, and help those who are truly needy?

     In this initial column on Provident Ponderings, I’m suggesting that we start “conserving energy”, by buying only what we actually “need” and will use – not what we “want” and that we teach our children to do likewise. Next, we make a new “conservative” habit, not to “throw” everything in the trash and consciously consider if there may be others who could use what we are about to toss away. For example,this past winter used clothing collected in Blanding went to Ganado Middle School as well as to Guatemala instead of being trashed. Many people faithfully transport used items to DI in Price, or second- hand outlets in Cortez. A good use for our extra abundance.

     Can we be wasteful and still be considered a “faithful and wise steward?” Mother Earth with her bounties and beauty deserves better respect. How can we expect to be blessed when we misuse the things we have stewardship over? Our homes and property should reflect wise use of resources, as well as care and attention. This is how we give thanks and become “energy efficient.”