In 1970 Senator Gaylord Nelson called for the first Earth Day to be held on April 22nd. The goal was to raise environmental awareness and seek solutions to the environmental degradation that had begun to afflict parts of the planet. Senator Nelson once said “The economy is a wholly owned subsidiary of the environment, not the other way around.” He is correct and great progress has been made on many fronts as a result of his vision.
The human population on the first Earth Day was 3.7 billion. But now with over 6.7 people the planet consuming resources at an ever increasing rate we need to consider the Earth for more than just one day each year. Every day needs to be Earth Day.
I served on a green building panel at a local Live Green Expo this past weekend. I noticed that people tended to search for technology solutions to every issue. Many thought they should be able to just buy something to reduce their electric bill. At TI we’re working on solutions to help make, move, and use energy more efficiently. I reminded people to focus on the “use energy more efficiently” area first. Putting solar electric panels on an inefficient house is like putting lipstick on . . . well, you know what I mean. We can’t buy our way out of wasteful habits – especially when wasteful buying is a habit! We can make sure when we purchase an appliance or device that it is the most efficient user of energy and resources. Over time this will lower energy consumption and save consumers billions of dollars. That savings can then be invested in solar panels . . or lipstick.
For an interesting look at the stuff we buy see “The Story of Stuff” video. Start a new good habit today.
Paul Westbrook
Sustainable Development Manager, SMTS, LEED AP
Original publication date: 04/22/2009
