Day 4 - Personal Action

Our Heart knows a more beautiful world is possible... we just don't always see how changing out one individual LED light bulb will get us there...

Personal Action
The problem of Global Warming feels so big.

Is it any wonder that some people ignore the problem or deny it, or simply give up and say "we are screwed".

Yes, let's acknowledge that personal "lifestyle" actions seem almost ridiculous in the face of such a large-scale problem. Drive less? Recycle more? Turn off the lights? Really? How is THIS going to stop the destruction?

Yet... personal action matters and here's why.
First, small actions all add up
Second, what would we be doing if we weren't doing something?
Third, we underestimate the power of our intention in a situation where early action matters so much.

Scientists tell us that action NOW has much greater impact than action later.
Every action is significant in the next few years, no matter how small. Necessary even.  
Necessary, but not sufficient.
​
Keep in mind that  difficult does not mean impossible.  

So, the initial challenge is not choosing which perfect action to take, but how to start moving in a direction, keep at it, sustain it, to magnify it and to transcend beyond the personal into a true shift in how all humans relate to the natural world. 

More on that in the days to come. For today, let's exercise our action muscles and take one more of those small step in the right direction.

Day 4 Action:

1. In your notebook, under "Day Four" make a quick inventory of what you are already personally doing to make a difference on climate.

Consider ways that you save energy, water or reduce consumption.

2. Celebrate! Yay!

3. Put a check mark next to the items on your list that you could deepen over the next few weeks.

4. Are there some that you can perhaps make more consistent, automatic or habitual? Have you recently encountered any new ideas that you are excited to try? (I've included a list of my own favorites at the bottom of this page.)

5. Now focus on the most interesting of these ideas and identify one small step you can take to  deepen your commitment and make it real.

Maybe it is calling the propane company to fix that leak. Maybe it is adjusting the thermostat or, yes, buying that LED light bulb.

6. Do this simple action with deep intention and notice what happens.

That's it for today. Tomorrow we explore both the challenge and the opportunity of global warming

Thank you for all you do,​

Denise

P.S. Short on Ideas?  Here are some of my personal favorites:

Most Obvious

• Change to Energy Efficient Lighting (LEDs etc)
• Install High-efficiency appliances
• Recycle 
• Walk or ride a bicycle
• Plug energy leaks. Use insulation, window shades, weatherstripping
• Avoid unnecessary consumption in the first place
• Reuse items. Buy second-hand -Shop, stay and play locally
• Generate Electricity with Solar Photovoltaics  
• Drive an Electric Car (charged by solar of course)

Less Obvious

• Adopt a plant-based diet
• Prevent heat gain from entering your home. Plant shade trees to keep the sun off your windows, install shades to keep heat out in the summer and in during the winter.
• Avoid "internal" heat in the summer--leave ovens off, turn off unneeded appliances or avoid using appliances if possible, turn off fans who you leave the room
• Save water
• Avoid plastics, especially single-use plastics - buy in bulk where possible,
• Reduce Food Waste

Least Obvious

• Install Solar Hot-water
• Use climate-friendly refrigerants
• Save energy with regular appliance, AC and motor maintenance
• Air dry clothes
• Cook with a solar oven
• Fix things that break
• Compost