Each One Teach One (and together we can make a difference?) So … I have registered to run in the Pacific Grove Lighthouse 5K that takes place on November 16th. I’m excited about it as the 5K will be run in conjunction with the Big Sur Half Marathon that same weekend. Monterey, Pacific Grove, Carmel, Pebble Beach and Big Sur are no more than 20 minutes from one another at the most … with Monterey being the northernmost city and Big Sur furthest to the south. That half marathon (which I wish I could run but oh goodness that would entail training … REAL training … and perhaps a new body … which has NOTHING to do with wrinkles and excess skin, mind you!) has been sold out for months. Shucks~ It is a big event, a beautiful event with magnificent scenery. I decided to enter the 5K because … #1 I can run that distance and possibly place … one of the benefits of getting older and #2 … it involves me in the community and #3 … I’ll see sights that I would more than likely not see otherwise, or at least from the same perspective and #4 (and no less important) … I have a new pair of running shoes!!! Remember I’m in California. Back east they talk about the ‘fruits and nuts’ in this state and they’re not referring to the produce or anything grown here. California is substantially more zealous, about many things, ecologically, compared to my home town … not a judgment, just a statement. And the environment is top on their list. They’ve been strict about automobile emissions for a very long time and are also therefore concerned about our carbon footprint. So when I registered for the race online I shouldn’t have been surprised to see an additional line under the fee section for a contribution that could be made to offset the emissions that you, as the participant, would be creating getting to and from this event. The form asked how you’d be getting there (walking, bicycling, carpooling…) and it could calculate the travel emissions you’d create getting there. They weren’t asking for a lot, although you could give as much as you wanted. Their donation $$ figure started at $1. Apparently in Monterey there is ‘The Offset Project’ which is very much involved in that weekend’s racing which ultimately reduces the cost of the promoters of the event. I found it interesting and thus, I’m sharing We’re in a pretty big mess, environmentally … and I wonder what can be done about it .. but I still just can’t sit back and do nothing. The Offset Project will be at these races, handling the composting, recycling, environmental issues. I cut and pasted this from their website as I found it interesting … Below are some of the measures taken to divert waste, in turn saving us money by reducing hauling costs and disposal fees: (at the races) •Recycling bottles, cans, plastic and cardboard. In fact, there will be no trash can at the finish •Composting food waste, including utensils, plates, and clear cups •Diverting wooden pallets for reuse •Donating leftover food •Donating abandoned clothing for reuse •Encouraging participants, especially our walkers, to take part in our REFILL program which reduces the number of paper cups used on the course •Reducing our carbon footprint by encouraging participants to come to the event via Pickup Pal, a free carpooling service I don’t think I’m a fruit or a nut (some may argue …) but I do care about our environment. Always have … but my re-thinking began in earnest during my last RV journey where restaurants in Seattle told you on their menu where their seafood or beef or chickens or rabbit or came from. But when I came back home and asked where their salmon came from, I was told, ‘I don’t know, why does it matter?” … I just shook my head. The friend I was eating with didn’t understand my consternation either. I know that I can’t make much of a difference. But I do know that there are certain animal and production practices I choose to not support fiscally most of the time. And if even one person I come into contact with thinks they might like to be more prudent with the products they use … the ‘Each One Teach One’ philosophy begins and maybe a difference is possible? Long ago I was involved in Laubach Literacy International and that was their credo. If one person taught a non-reader to read and the process continued, perhaps illiteracy would be eradicated. ‘Each One Teach One’. The philosophy can be transferred to just about any effort. Sustainable and more ecologically sound products cost more but when I complained about it my daughter simply said …’Mom, eat less….’ Hmmmm.. Just throwing this out … food for thought I’m not 100% anything (I’m traveling in an RV and cannot imagine the emissions Im creating… but did I offset it at least a tad by owning a VW TDI for 3 years??? ) but the thought of chickens’ beaks being cut off because they are raised in such close quarters and what we do to our cattle when we mass produce … well it’s disturbing. It all gets back to being true to yourself and doing what you are comfortable with. And judging no one for their decisions. Yep … no one. Right now I just think it would be nice to leave this earth with promise for my children and their children and their children … “We have forgotten how to be good guests, how to walk lightly on the earth as other creatures do.” ~ 1972 Only One Earth Conference I think the environment should be put in the category of our national security. Defense of our resources is just as important as defense abroad. Otherwise what is there to defend? ~Robert Redford, Yosemite National Park dedication, 1985
Posted on: Thu, 24 Oct 2013 04:48:13 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015