The Earth Day Flag, the latest proposal of John McConnell for a flag of Earth. The Earth flag is not an official flag, since there is no official governing body over Earth. The flag holds a photo transfer of a NASA image of the Earth on a dark blue background. It has been associated with Earth Day.
I’ve done various kinds of environmental activism.
I used to volunteer each Saturday morning, pulling out invasive exotic plants from nature preserves. I stopped because of a rescheduling of my weekly farmers market, where I buy 90% of my produce directly from the people who grow it. I count this as another kind of activism — supporting organic and near-organic crops, products, and the people to make their living by being involved in the process.
I spent 4 years working at a large environmental non-profit. I loved the feeling of working for a “mission”, and I felt very inspired by many of the people I worked with. The field trips were great — to get out into nature, places I helped to preserve.
The downsides, however, were too great for me to keep working there. Exceptionally dysfunctional work environment, clueless “management”, questionable politicking, inconsistent treatment of staff….and the lack of willingness to take a hard look at certain scientific and cultural assumptions. Sexism was rampant, and various departments were driven by personality and cliques. I also felt frustrated by the amount of time and money spent on the “corporate” veneer.
Lastly, I do little things like encourage my coworkers to throw their waste papers in the recycling bin, ask my apt building manager to get compost buckets for our building (finally we have them!), bring my lunch to work in reusable containers, etc.
Mystes: yes, I’ve been noticing this greenwashing, too. I just love how GE is running ads about how they’re innovative and “greening” the medical profession (while they pollute, contribute to diseases, and create weapons). I guess they just have it covered any way you look at it, eh?!
Cynthia
That flag is beautiful sight to behold. Thank you Anatoly and thank you Eric for your invitation to share our thoughts and feelings as we celebrate Earth Day.
I’ve had an interesting Earth week. I’m ready to be more environmentally involved. My son’s high school needs landscaping work done so I thought I would volunteer to help out. I have been honing my gardening skills this past decade and want to put them to a worthwhile cause.
I went to a landscaping class at the school yesterday but sadly came away feeling quite frustrated as we are supposed to be planing for a planting day on May 8th but there was no plan, no vision nor any leadership to be seen. My frustrations were shared by another Mom at the school who also tried desperately to get a handle on the project.
What was apparent to me was that the teenagers who had been at the school for several years and had been involved in the yearly big Gala fundraisers for the landscaping project, were feeling disheartened re. the outdoor green space not being utilized to reflecting their particular desires and needs. The main thing they wanted were more benches and seating so they could hang out with each other and socialize — no surprise there! (Some good news just in is that two park tables are to arrive within the next week so that’s a great start) However, the teacher involved with the project was rather subdued in my opinion as far as getting the kids more motivated and hands on re. the actual gardening. I was tempted to align with their apathy and frankly walk away. However, I resisted that initial reaction knowing it was best to let things unfold and watch happened with the project and again if I could offer something.
So I was delighted this Earth Day morning to receive an email from “the other Mom” inviting me to become more involved by offering guidance and support to the teacher as I seemed to have a bit of gardening knowhow. Of course I jumped at the offer and gave a resounding yes. If I can start something that allows my son and his classmates to sit outdoors and celebrate Nature by hanging out, flirting with each other AND learning just a wee bit of gardening, then count me in as I go grab my shovel and don my gloves and boots. Their energy will feed me too.
What was it you said this morning Len?
“A square compels us to pay attention and, beyond that, to do something. When the phenomena is internal, there’s no running away. The only option is to do something that will gain relief.”
Gardening — better than Pepto Bismol any day!
“I wanted to post a question — what are your experiences doing environmental activism? And how did you feel doing it?”
Well, the first thing any and all of us should know is that the industries who pollute the most or their sponsoring agencies (American Chemistry Council, for example) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Chemistry_Council are often engaged in greenwashing to the Nth degree.
I worked as a grantwriter in 2006-07 for an environmental education group that was funded (as it turned out) by a consortium of SUV dealerships in San Diego. When I demanded that this ~ahem~ non-profit get the annual audit they had avoided for 8 years, they fired me. Hmmm…
Before and after, I have had a policy of dividing my donated time/money into five categories :: water, earth, fire, air, space :: and providing corresponding non-profits with whatever I can yield.
My favorite Earth Day activity was in 2007, an Earth Day blessing carried out by the Dames of the 13th Twilight at 3 a.m. on the Austin Green Art site. One of our number flew in from California to participate. We nailed it down pretty good that night. Broke an 8 month drought the day after the festivities.
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I woke up and saw Anatoly had posted the Earth Day flag. Beautiful. During Bush War I hung this flag in my living room window and shined a bright light behind it.
The first thing I thought was: environmental work is challenging. Maybe it’s just that it sometimes feels like anyone wants to hear too much, though in the past 10 years the conversation is more socially acceptable. I wanted to post a question — what are your experiences doing environmental activism? And how did you feel doing it?
I’m wondering, too, if it would be smarter for us to celebrate the Earth [today] rather than “the need to take action” about the Earth. Since 1970 and that Pogo cartoon, well, plenty has changed. Thankfully the places I visit and tell time with on the Earth still feel the same.
Ahhh, lovely to see our beautiful Tierra Madre!
I’ve done various kinds of environmental activism.
I used to volunteer each Saturday morning, pulling out invasive exotic plants from nature preserves. I stopped because of a rescheduling of my weekly farmers market, where I buy 90% of my produce directly from the people who grow it. I count this as another kind of activism — supporting organic and near-organic crops, products, and the people to make their living by being involved in the process.
I spent 4 years working at a large environmental non-profit. I loved the feeling of working for a “mission”, and I felt very inspired by many of the people I worked with. The field trips were great — to get out into nature, places I helped to preserve.
The downsides, however, were too great for me to keep working there. Exceptionally dysfunctional work environment, clueless “management”, questionable politicking, inconsistent treatment of staff….and the lack of willingness to take a hard look at certain scientific and cultural assumptions. Sexism was rampant, and various departments were driven by personality and cliques. I also felt frustrated by the amount of time and money spent on the “corporate” veneer.
Lastly, I do little things like encourage my coworkers to throw their waste papers in the recycling bin, ask my apt building manager to get compost buckets for our building (finally we have them!), bring my lunch to work in reusable containers, etc.
Mystes: yes, I’ve been noticing this greenwashing, too. I just love how GE is running ads about how they’re innovative and “greening” the medical profession (while they pollute, contribute to diseases, and create weapons). I guess they just have it covered any way you look at it, eh?!
Cynthia
That flag is beautiful sight to behold. Thank you Anatoly and thank you Eric for your invitation to share our thoughts and feelings as we celebrate Earth Day.
I’ve had an interesting Earth week. I’m ready to be more environmentally involved. My son’s high school needs landscaping work done so I thought I would volunteer to help out. I have been honing my gardening skills this past decade and want to put them to a worthwhile cause.
I went to a landscaping class at the school yesterday but sadly came away feeling quite frustrated as we are supposed to be planing for a planting day on May 8th but there was no plan, no vision nor any leadership to be seen. My frustrations were shared by another Mom at the school who also tried desperately to get a handle on the project.
What was apparent to me was that the teenagers who had been at the school for several years and had been involved in the yearly big Gala fundraisers for the landscaping project, were feeling disheartened re. the outdoor green space not being utilized to reflecting their particular desires and needs. The main thing they wanted were more benches and seating so they could hang out with each other and socialize — no surprise there! (Some good news just in is that two park tables are to arrive within the next week so that’s a great start) However, the teacher involved with the project was rather subdued in my opinion as far as getting the kids more motivated and hands on re. the actual gardening. I was tempted to align with their apathy and frankly walk away. However, I resisted that initial reaction knowing it was best to let things unfold and watch happened with the project and again if I could offer something.
So I was delighted this Earth Day morning to receive an email from “the other Mom” inviting me to become more involved by offering guidance and support to the teacher as I seemed to have a bit of gardening knowhow. Of course I jumped at the offer and gave a resounding yes. If I can start something that allows my son and his classmates to sit outdoors and celebrate Nature by hanging out, flirting with each other AND learning just a wee bit of gardening, then count me in as I go grab my shovel and don my gloves and boots. Their energy will feed me too.
What was it you said this morning Len?
“A square compels us to pay attention and, beyond that, to do something. When the phenomena is internal, there’s no running away. The only option is to do something that will gain relief.”
Gardening — better than Pepto Bismol any day!
“I wanted to post a question — what are your experiences doing environmental activism? And how did you feel doing it?”
Well, the first thing any and all of us should know is that the industries who pollute the most or their sponsoring agencies (American Chemistry Council, for example) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Chemistry_Council are often engaged in greenwashing to the Nth degree.
I worked as a grantwriter in 2006-07 for an environmental education group that was funded (as it turned out) by a consortium of SUV dealerships in San Diego. When I demanded that this ~ahem~ non-profit get the annual audit they had avoided for 8 years, they fired me. Hmmm…
Before and after, I have had a policy of dividing my donated time/money into five categories :: water, earth, fire, air, space :: and providing corresponding non-profits with whatever I can yield.
My favorite Earth Day activity was in 2007, an Earth Day blessing carried out by the Dames of the 13th Twilight at 3 a.m. on the Austin Green Art site. One of our number flew in from California to participate. We nailed it down pretty good that night. Broke an 8 month drought the day after the festivities.
***
**
*
I woke up and saw Anatoly had posted the Earth Day flag. Beautiful. During Bush War I hung this flag in my living room window and shined a bright light behind it.
The first thing I thought was: environmental work is challenging. Maybe it’s just that it sometimes feels like anyone wants to hear too much, though in the past 10 years the conversation is more socially acceptable. I wanted to post a question — what are your experiences doing environmental activism? And how did you feel doing it?
I’m wondering, too, if it would be smarter for us to celebrate the Earth [today] rather than “the need to take action” about the Earth. Since 1970 and that Pogo cartoon, well, plenty has changed. Thankfully the places I visit and tell time with on the Earth still feel the same.