Why Only One Day a Year? A Response to Earth Day

Earlier this week, people united together to celebrate our planet and discuss ways of preserving the environment: Earth Day. TV shows of all types featured the latest and greatest ways to be "green." But why do you have to have the latest gadgets to help the environment? And why do we only discuss these things once a year? Shouldn't recycling be simply a habit?

Apparently, some ways of saving the earth are more fashionable than others. In my area, having that reusable shopping bag from Whole Foods is almost as important as Gucci. Yet, driving SUVs and other cars that guzzle gas are still perfectly acceptable. It's cool to wear clothing made out of recycled bottles, but many people still drink bottled water and throw the bottles in the trash. It seems like the most natural (and often the easiest) ways of helping our planet are almost forgotten. But if you can buy something that "helps" the planet, then somehow you have the right to feel good about yourself. Does anyone else see the problem in this?

We hear daily about the energy crisis, and yet little is being done to further solar energy technology or expand other renuable energy sources. Most people have waited until it is almost too late to even care. Why does it always take the 11th hour for people to get serious about finding a solution?

We have new light bulbs that are supposed to last years and use much less energy than traditional light bulbs. This may seem really great. But how many people are going to remember that these new light bulbs contain mercury? How many of these light bulbs are going to end up in our land fills, and, ultimately, how much mercury will end up in our water? Now, if you break a light bulb, you have to call a hazmat team. It seems like an unfair trade.

Why can't we think about the earth everyday? Why can't we all try on a daily basis to be aware of how we personally impact the environment?