ON THE ENVIRONMENT

Today it seems the environment is on everyone's mind. From vapid celebrity "spokespeople" to double-talking politicians to the everyday citizen. Is it really that important? Of course it is! Though not always for the reasons stated. Saving the planet is ultimately about saving ourselves. We are, and have always been, a self-centred species. When this planet has had enough of us it will attempt to shake us off like a dog does to fleas.

Some would say this is already happening. I don't intend to get into some Mother Earth/Gaeia neo-pagan bullpuckey, but if the Earth were a sentient creature, now would be the time to jump into the tomato juice bath to remove the stink of humanity. So to speak. Freakish weather, natural disasters, polar caps melting, these are all signs to be sure.

The real problem is is that we just don't get it. Or at least, most people don't get it. We waste time discussing whether global warming is our fault and, if so, will our change in habits help. It is irrelevant. Energy conservation, recycling, and other responsible actions are just that: responsible actions. These are things we should have always been doing from the very start.

Instead we toot around in gas-guzzling SUVs and trucks, slurping down our half-caf, de-caf, frappacino lattes in unrecyclable (?) wax paper cups, text messaging our idiot friends about the latest celebrity scandal. I would laugh if it weren't so tragic.

"What do I care? I won't be around to see it." is something all too often heard. This has been the mantra of Western society since the Industrial Revolution. A complete lack of care for future generations. Right now, in the city where I live, they are digging up coal tar that previous citizens left as a treat for us underground, stored in not-so-leak-proof drums. I'm not sure what the final cost will be, but I'm sure it's in the tens of millions. Recently, our provincial government has suggested that our new source of energy in Ontario will be nuclear power from the restored Bruce Nuclear Plant. What shall we do with the waste? Oh, we'll just bury it in drums in the ground up north. Our experts say it will be perfectly safe...we promise.

Introduction

Greetings,

This is my blog. Like many others this blog is intended to be an online diary. A soapbox for me to climb upon and rant to the world at large. Do I care if anyone listens? Not particularly. I am doing this primarily for myself; a cathartic release of pent-up frustrations, social commentary, and observations. Actually, in a way, I suppose I am doing this for others. To relieve them from having to hear my drivel in person! ;)

If you find this blog entertaining, then I am flattered and humbled. If not...oh, well.