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Sustainable Consumption

14, 2005

Dear friends,

It occurred to me that in this spring month of Earth Day, we each have an opportunity to do something new, a little better, and more responsibly every day. We must think about exploring the truth, sharing understanding with our friends and our enemies; enjoying the outdoors, living IN the environment, appreciating the birds returning from winter somewhere else; taking action to help protect our fragile wetlands (time and/or money, please), and keeping the air clean. Can we live more responsibly, with all our wealth? Can we live more sustainably? I think we can!

What is sustainable development? The following are not my words, but are well stated by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (check out their cool web site! www.iisd.org):

Sustainable development is the notion that humanity should strive to develop the economy in a manner that does not damage the integrity of ecosystems and social wellbeing. It's about working toward a better life for all people for today and for the future. The most commonly accepted formal definition of SD is taken from Our Common Future, the landmark 1987 report of The World Commission on Environment and Development. Chaired by former Norwegian Prime Minister, Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, the Commission noted that ̉Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. www.iisd.org/about/faq.asp

Can we live sustainably? What life situation do we want to leave for our children? We need to persuade our friends, our workmates, and the politicians in whom we have entrusted responsibility for major decisions, to think sustainably. We each need to shift ourselves and our families to live more sustainably. We don't have to give up much, and we can gain a lot! I encourage you to do something a little different this month - and the next.

Sincerely,

Tom Larson

What you can do:

• Wash in cold water and dry your clothes on a laundry line
• reduce consumption of animal products
• buy in bulk to reduce packaging
• buy certified organic and locally-grown products when possible
• avoid disposable paper and plastic products
• reduce consumption by using both sides of your paper, using email, and reading newspapers online
• reduce junk mail by writing to Mail Preference Service, c/o Direct Marketing Association, P.O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008
• complete the circle: purchase recycled and tree-free products
• buy only certified forest products and certified or salvaged wood for construction and furnishings
• avoid purchasing rayon viscose clothing
• purchase certified shade grown and organic coffee

Read more about sustainable consumption at www.sierraclub.org/sustainable_consumption