You have seen the pictures. The storms, the tempests, the floods, the sprawling deserts. Of the homeless, the starving, the mine workers who pickle rare metals out of the Earth`s crust, to be used in cell phones and playstations.
Of the huge area covered in plastics in the ocean. The fish nibbling on it. The exploding atomic reactor in Fukushima.
…
At the moment, we can still choose to what extent we want to campaign for our planet and a tolerably good life for us all. In short, for sustainability, which will keep the blue planet and us in good (or at least viable) condition in the long run. Because up to now, there were no obligations forced upon us to constrain our household to 2000 Watt, one lukewarm shower a week for each member and the 1-litre-car. Governmentally decreed were only energy-saving lamps (not the best idea in my eyes to keep people in dim light for a minor electricity saving-as my eyes like most eyes need a lot of light in winter in order to stay alert and not just close to hibernation mode until spring-one could have banned leaf blowers and lawn mowers instead), although since the vote in Switzerland about the new energy law there is going to be a governmental restriction in total energy consumption (a restriction of 43% per person by 2035 is designated) and in electricity use (supposed to be reduced by 13% per person by 2035), as well as cars needing a reduced CO2-release in order to be licensed (the designated fines raise hopes that the limits actually have to be met, no matter what happens to the German car industry..)
However up to now it was mostly a bad conscience, that crept over us during flying, heating, shopping, or at least over anybody who wasn`t able to push (mostly) carefully collected data aside with alternative facts. So what are we supposed to do? What`s the most efficient, striking things to do to live responsibly, except staying at home, swearing off any consumption, and becoming self-supporter immediately? And in what aspects do we need to act first? Do we take care of the kids first, the conscious consumption or the blue planet? At first, do we look for a meaningful job in a sustainable company, shift down the heating or refuse ourselves to fly; do we become vegan and use jute bags only, or do we get political in the first step?
I have no idea, actually. You have to decide on your own. Your ability to think, your ability to draw conclusions, is once again in great demand. I just deliver a few facts and figures. Do whatever is possible for- and matters to- you. Remember (I also have to sledge it into my head again and again), difficult and tiring stuff is possible, too, if you see a meaning in it.
However, efficiency is a must. I want to exert the biggest possible positive effect on people and planet with the smallest effort possible. Means, I want to know what effects I can achieve with what measures. In hard numbers or at least reliable, justified estimations.
Starting from now you will find a monthly column dealing with sustainability in the menu “Save Planet Blue“. I try to introduce the concepts and measures with the biggest influence at first.
Sources: current scientific publications, (Energy) statistics of countries and companies, experts and expert`s books, my own specialised knowledge.
