I just have a few thoughts on wasters. Wasters are people who waste water, food, energy, time, money or anything really. This is opposed to efficiency geeks. Efficiency geeks are getting things done in a timely manner and not f**king around or WASTING anything.
Each year I grow older, I realize that I have a responsibility as a human on this planet. I learn something new that changes my belief patterns or how I go about my day. I take this new knowledge and I really, really try as hard as I can to change and better myself, and the world, in any way that I possibly can. I can't ignore this knowledge. I feel that if I ignore this knowledge, or stay ignorant by not furthering my education, that I am letting myself down, I am letting all of you down and I am letting the environment down.
After living in California for a year and the Virgin Islands for 5 months, I have realized what a precious resource water is. Growing up in WI, we didn't really have to worry about it as much as other places but it is still precious, no matter where you are. Now, I cringe whenever someone leaves the sink running for a second too long or an anger builds up inside me when water is just allowed to go down the drain... How can someone not know what it takes for us to be allowed drinking water? How can someone just let water go unused down the drain? Water is so precious. It is an amazing resource that we are so lucky to be given. We are lucky. Think about what you're doing.
Now food. I watched a documentary this summer about food waste and if you've heard this rant before, sorry, not sorry. The thing that gets wasted most in this country is food. So much good, un-eaten food just goes to the dump and thats not ok. At the end of the day restaurants/grocery stores put food in the dumpsters that isn't bad, the problem is that the unregulated "sell by" date is from today... apparently they "have to" throw it out and not give it to people in need because it could cause legal problems. So, how many legal problems have occurred in the last 5 years from giving away food to the homeless? Zero. Thats right, its not even an issue, people are just too lazy to figure out how to not produce so much damn waste. And grocery stores and restaurants are not just to blame. We are too. Families throw away more food each year than they eat. That is absolutely ridiculous. Im no angel here but I try to make sure that all my food gets eaten or is given to animals or composted. Un-composted food creates more methane that contributes to climate change from being in the dump than our cars do. Yup, worried about gas-guzzlers? I'd worry about your food thats in the garbage.
But do worry about your gas-guzzler too because there you're just wasting gas... and also, do you NEED to drive everywhere? I mean come on and walk to the damn store some time or get some exercise on your bike. There is more than one way to get from point A to point B than driving all the damn time... Yes, I dont have a car. Yes, Im still alive.
Something that goes along with food is money. I want to talk about voting with your money. What you spend your money on does make a HUGE difference. I hate when people save one dollar buy buying the horrible franchised company's food over the local organic option. Its ONE DOLLAR, put that dollar towards making a difference. Local foods/products are more healthy, better for the local economy and generally more delicious because they aren't chemically manufactured and shipped long distances. Im not just talking about foods here. Being ignorant about what you're buying is not an excuse. You are a consumer and as a consumer you shouldn't just buy something, anything blindly. Look at labels, learn about good and bad companies, and figure out if you are putting your money towards a beneficial company or a degrading one. Ill help you: http://www.betterworldshopper.org/topten.html
VERY BAD: Kraft, Nestlee, Exxon-Mobil, Version, General Electric
VERY GOOD: Seventh Generation, Amy's, Patagonia, Dr. Bronner's, New Belgium Brewing
Time. I hate it when people waste valuable time. I understand relaxation but I get annoyed when people just sit around and wait for something to happen to them. Go out and make your own impact on the world! Its time to go outside and move. Its time to get your perfect job or figure out what that perfect job is. Its time, RIGHT NOW, to see your friends and family across the globe. Its time to start that exercise routine or to just be active. Get moving!! You can do it! Not tomorrow, not next week, NOW, because next week will always be next week. Tomorrow will always be tomorrow. When you start today, things are put into momentum and get done. Whenever someone admits their jealousy for my ability to travel I tell them that they can do it too. Then come the excuses... There is no excuse. I made no excuse for myself and I did it, I continue to do it. You should be so kind to yourself. Dont wake up at age 60 and regret all you didnt do. Cause I assure you, it will happen if you dont utilize your time. Dont waste time.
Alright. I felt like these things needed to be said. It drives me NUTS when people waste in more ways than one. We dont have time on this earth to waste and we should all do our part to be as efficient as possible. Dont be a lazy waster, be a logical, informed efficiency greek. Then, things will start to get better. Thank you.
Each year I grow older, I realize that I have a responsibility as a human on this planet. I learn something new that changes my belief patterns or how I go about my day. I take this new knowledge and I really, really try as hard as I can to change and better myself, and the world, in any way that I possibly can. I can't ignore this knowledge. I feel that if I ignore this knowledge, or stay ignorant by not furthering my education, that I am letting myself down, I am letting all of you down and I am letting the environment down.
After living in California for a year and the Virgin Islands for 5 months, I have realized what a precious resource water is. Growing up in WI, we didn't really have to worry about it as much as other places but it is still precious, no matter where you are. Now, I cringe whenever someone leaves the sink running for a second too long or an anger builds up inside me when water is just allowed to go down the drain... How can someone not know what it takes for us to be allowed drinking water? How can someone just let water go unused down the drain? Water is so precious. It is an amazing resource that we are so lucky to be given. We are lucky. Think about what you're doing.
Now food. I watched a documentary this summer about food waste and if you've heard this rant before, sorry, not sorry. The thing that gets wasted most in this country is food. So much good, un-eaten food just goes to the dump and thats not ok. At the end of the day restaurants/grocery stores put food in the dumpsters that isn't bad, the problem is that the unregulated "sell by" date is from today... apparently they "have to" throw it out and not give it to people in need because it could cause legal problems. So, how many legal problems have occurred in the last 5 years from giving away food to the homeless? Zero. Thats right, its not even an issue, people are just too lazy to figure out how to not produce so much damn waste. And grocery stores and restaurants are not just to blame. We are too. Families throw away more food each year than they eat. That is absolutely ridiculous. Im no angel here but I try to make sure that all my food gets eaten or is given to animals or composted. Un-composted food creates more methane that contributes to climate change from being in the dump than our cars do. Yup, worried about gas-guzzlers? I'd worry about your food thats in the garbage.
But do worry about your gas-guzzler too because there you're just wasting gas... and also, do you NEED to drive everywhere? I mean come on and walk to the damn store some time or get some exercise on your bike. There is more than one way to get from point A to point B than driving all the damn time... Yes, I dont have a car. Yes, Im still alive.
Something that goes along with food is money. I want to talk about voting with your money. What you spend your money on does make a HUGE difference. I hate when people save one dollar buy buying the horrible franchised company's food over the local organic option. Its ONE DOLLAR, put that dollar towards making a difference. Local foods/products are more healthy, better for the local economy and generally more delicious because they aren't chemically manufactured and shipped long distances. Im not just talking about foods here. Being ignorant about what you're buying is not an excuse. You are a consumer and as a consumer you shouldn't just buy something, anything blindly. Look at labels, learn about good and bad companies, and figure out if you are putting your money towards a beneficial company or a degrading one. Ill help you: http://www.betterworldshopper.org/topten.html
VERY BAD: Kraft, Nestlee, Exxon-Mobil, Version, General Electric
VERY GOOD: Seventh Generation, Amy's, Patagonia, Dr. Bronner's, New Belgium Brewing
Time. I hate it when people waste valuable time. I understand relaxation but I get annoyed when people just sit around and wait for something to happen to them. Go out and make your own impact on the world! Its time to go outside and move. Its time to get your perfect job or figure out what that perfect job is. Its time, RIGHT NOW, to see your friends and family across the globe. Its time to start that exercise routine or to just be active. Get moving!! You can do it! Not tomorrow, not next week, NOW, because next week will always be next week. Tomorrow will always be tomorrow. When you start today, things are put into momentum and get done. Whenever someone admits their jealousy for my ability to travel I tell them that they can do it too. Then come the excuses... There is no excuse. I made no excuse for myself and I did it, I continue to do it. You should be so kind to yourself. Dont wake up at age 60 and regret all you didnt do. Cause I assure you, it will happen if you dont utilize your time. Dont waste time.
Alright. I felt like these things needed to be said. It drives me NUTS when people waste in more ways than one. We dont have time on this earth to waste and we should all do our part to be as efficient as possible. Dont be a lazy waster, be a logical, informed efficiency greek. Then, things will start to get better. Thank you.
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