A story…
Once upon a time there was a little blue planet.
The people on the planet thought it was an enormous planet, in that it was bigger than they could imagine, more beautiful than they could ever design, and more mystical than their minds could ever truly contemplate.
In the larger scheme of things, it was actually quite a tiny planet, but to them, it was everything.
Now you probably think I’m going to tell you about how bad people came to the planet…
…people who robbed it of its resources, poisoned it with chemicals that they released into the air and the sea, or buried deep below the earth’s surface.
But that wouldn’t be true.
Good people lived on the earth.
For many years they enjoyed its harvests, its beauty and the way the earth loved and provided for them.
Because they lived so well and had everything they needed, the people had time to think and explore and discover.
They discovered the secrets of the oceans, the balance of the elements, how life evolved in tune with its surroundings.
But somewhere along the way, the earth was forgotten.
It was no longer a nurturing planet that gave freely,
but a ‘thing’,
…to be used and plundered so that men could have more, do more, see more, and do it all more quickly.
SO the little blue planet got sick and sad.
But it’s not too late to help the little blue planet.
The people can put back some of what was taken.
They can still think and explore and discover, and they can help.
Which is what today is about…
People,
us,
…working together to help restore our own little blue planet.
So the people can keep on enjoying it for years to come.
Ok, end of story, but what can we do?
Well for a start we can check out how big our feet are by going here…
This site, The National Energy Foundation, and its global equivalents, give the individual the opportunity to see the affect their everyday actions have on our environment.
I like this one in particular as after inputting a few simple details, it produces a free report on your personal carbon footprint…
Here is la famille Beaufoix’s:
So, I know how much we ‘contribute’, what now?
Well the online questionnaire then makes suggestions as to how you can shrink your footprint (no magic or torture is involved here), and if you want, you can pledge to make realistic changes;
In about 6 months time they will email me an invitation to check my score and see if I’m ready to make new pledges…
Isn’t that cool??
I mean, I’m not an environmentalist.
I know very little of the scientific facts behind current climate change, but this site means I can still make a difference without feeling overwhelmed by facts and figures.
*********************************************
One more pledge I will make is that we, la famille Beaufoix, will change all our bulbs to Energy Efficient ones by this time next year, 15th October 2008.
I’d make it sooner but it will mean new light fittings etc. and we’re kind of brassic at the moment. But we will have done it by then.
If anyone else wants to join me in this you can help yourself to a nice badge, and I will create a ‘Blog Action Day Bulbtastic Blokes and Babes Page’ to add your names for some permanent environmental linky love.
Just leave me a comment and I’ll put you on the list. And please encourage your readers to grab a badge too, then, let me know who they are and I’ll add them to the list.
That’s all folks. TTFN.
October 15th, 2007 at 12:14 am
I love the way you did this post!
I will also make the compact fluorescent pledge with you – we’re currently working on that anyhow!
October 15th, 2007 at 12:56 am
Good on the Beaufoix family. Beautiful message, well illustrated.
(As always)
October 15th, 2007 at 3:39 am
I didn’t do a very environmentally friendly post today, so..no environment link for me. But I did want to tell you I loved this post. We switched over to compact flourescent bulbs early this year. I still haven’t had to change one I put in a lamp three years ago. It’s marvelous.
October 15th, 2007 at 4:27 am
Thalia’s Child thank you and I will add your link to the page.
David thanks.
Jen, you can have a badge if you want one mysweet as you’re already doing it and I will add you to the list.
Every little bit heps right?
October 15th, 2007 at 5:23 am
hooooowheeeee. I didn’t realize what an impact flights had on my footprint. Great post.
October 15th, 2007 at 5:50 am
We’ve been doing the bulb thing for several years. It is always a shock when one burns out and needs replacing. They seem to last forever. I can’t believe we ever used “old” lightbulbs. I’d love a badge!
Also, I did a post today but it’s awful and horrible compared to your beautiful one. Don’t go there. At least I did it. And then I watched Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to make myself feel better about my awful post.
You and your posts are awesome, Ms. Jo B. The only thing missing was Barbara. I always like to see Barbara pop up in a post somewhere.
October 15th, 2007 at 7:09 am
Great post, Jo! I checked out my footprint on that site and luckily I’m still well below the average, but I have made my pledges as well.
I have been slowly replacing all the bulbs in my house with CFLs. I’ll certainly join in that pledge with you. Check out my Blog Action Day post for information about how to safely dispose of them and not worry about Mercury leeching out into the environment.
October 15th, 2007 at 7:14 am
Leendaluu it’s amazing isn’t it?
We don’t fly at the moment as we’re broke. I’ve not flown since 2002 and Mr B hasn’t own since 1996, and we’re not planning on it any time soon either as we all need new passports and they cost a fortune.
Pixel, I’m sure your post is fabulous sweetie. It’s not an easy thing to write about is it?
And Barbara sends a big beaky kiss. She’s been resting up as October is a very busy month for ostriches.
October 15th, 2007 at 7:24 am
Hi Jo – what a beautiful post and good on you for joining inwith the Blog Action Day. I am looking forward to some serious browsing on their site later, when I get a couple of hours to myself. La famille Beaufoix is also doing really well on the carbon footprint. I’m going to test mine later, but before that I’ve got to walk to school to pick up my little one. Not that I am environmentally heroic ~ I just live 2 minutes away from the school ;-D
October 15th, 2007 at 7:31 am
Cablegirl, I think you were writing as I was writing.
I’ve just read your post and joined your mister linky.
There’s so much we can do isn’t there.
21st Cm ahh thank you. Must pop over and visit yours.
And walking to school is heroic how ever close you are. Especially with little ones.
October 15th, 2007 at 7:45 am
Such a creative post! Outstanding!
Gotta check my footprint, now . . .
October 15th, 2007 at 7:53 am
Thanks Mama Zen.
Yours is fab too.
October 15th, 2007 at 9:21 am
Dang. That was amazing.
October 15th, 2007 at 9:46 am
Ahh thanks Miss Kimberly.
Must pop over and say hi.
October 15th, 2007 at 10:12 am
Yay you! Good job! Great post!
October 15th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
I recall a TV show when I as a kid called “Big Blue Marble.” It was about traveling around the world to diferent countries cultures—not about the environment, but you know—I think it’s all related. Big or small, it’s our blue earth, and it needs our help now.
Good for you.
October 15th, 2007 at 12:58 pm
Well, pooh. The Pi Family have absolutely huge feet compared to la famille Beaufoix.
Well, not huge, but big enough to be slightly alarming. Must do more green things!
October 15th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Thanks Momo. Now I must go out and buy bulbs.
Hi Susan. It’s only when you do a post like this and read stuff that you realise what needs doing and how you can help.
I didn’t have much idea before.
Pixel, it could be plane travel.
We’ve not been abroad in a loooong time.
October 15th, 2007 at 3:04 pm
Whew! Not as bad as I thought! The worst offender is my hubby’s car, but that’s just because he commutes such a long way to work, and there’s no one around here he can carpool with. Well, I guess you do what you can, huh?
Great post!
October 15th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
Thanks Avery. I was relieved too when I got my results.
And you’re right. You just do what you can.
October 15th, 2007 at 3:25 pm
Great post Jo! Think I’ve only got three naughty lights left in my house after changing all the others! Now, to really save energy I just have to work out how to stay online with the computer switched off! Heehee!
Oh, and for anyone in England who’s interested, I think Tesco’s have energy bulbs on offer at the mo!
October 15th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
Fantastic.
Must go to Tesco’s and stock up.
And I will add you to the list of linky love my sweet, as you are already doing the bulb thing.
October 15th, 2007 at 4:25 pm
Great post..we must all do our little bit to protect Mother Earth or we will have nothing worth passing down to the following generations …thanks for the fantastic reminder…there are so many painless changes many of us can make
October 15th, 2007 at 4:36 pm
I think that’s the keyword sometimes MGL. Painless.
If it’s easy, we can all do it right?
Hooray.
October 15th, 2007 at 6:34 pm
Great post, Jo. You’re always inspiring. My footprint is far smaller than I anticipated (“Whew!”)
We too have been doing the bulb thing for a couple of years now and we’re big into our blue bag recycle programs at home and at work. Sadly, I learn more about how to become a better environmentalist through my nine-year-old. She’s our family’s watchdog. You’ve inspired me to take on a bigger role in it.
Thanks again!
October 16th, 2007 at 1:53 am
Fabulous post as usual, Jo!
Yeah, put me down for some environmental love – I’m all for it!
I just want to ask one thing though, if you can help me reduce my carbon footprint can you also help me reduce my wobbly ass? No? Ok, was only asking.
October 16th, 2007 at 2:36 am
Hooray!
Jez is extremely e-friendly, I am getting better. Great link, I’ll link to it when I get home (I’m currently being naughty at uni).
October 16th, 2007 at 3:11 am
Troy you get linky lurve. And that’s so cool that your kid is already getting into it. Guilt is such a powerful force when it comes from small children isn’t it?
Ladyinthered, ta sweetie, and wobbly asses are good. So are wonky donkeys hee hee. You are so gorgeous the world will not care if your ass wobbles. That’s what they’re meant to do you now.
Despina, Jez is a very good boy. But it’s ok to be naughty too.
October 16th, 2007 at 4:15 am
Hi, this is a lovely post! Like the way you present it like a story too
October 16th, 2007 at 5:55 am
great entry. im over at the carbon calculator site now… thanks!
October 16th, 2007 at 8:52 am
Jo – wonderful post! looks beautiful too. I’ll go along with the bulbs. Like Jen, I totally spaced on this blog challenge. And now I’m off to check our footprint…
October 16th, 2007 at 11:14 am
We’ve been trying for awhile. We cloth diaper and I use a cup for my monthly “stuff”. We changed out our lightbulbs and we combine driving trips all the time. We try to eat organically whenever possible bc its better for the environment too. and I try to buy in bulk to reduce packaging. the one thing I have a hard time with is unplugging appliances. Most of the outlets are in bad places that make it difficult to take them in and out all the time. But, we do turn things off when not using them.
October 16th, 2007 at 1:02 pm
Jo – that was a supercalifragilistic expialidocious post!
Well done you!
October 16th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
Great post! I love your story!! (Or moreover, your approach to telling the story.)
We are working on changing our bulbs over, too. we’re at about 20%, I’d say. Both of our bathrooms have those horrible mirrored fixtures that hold 5-10 big bulbs in them. And they burn out like CRAZY. So sick of them. So, we are working on getting new fixtures, too.
Can you add me to your list and I’ll come back for the button when I perform some much-needed maintenence at the Garden.
October 16th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
Nice story telling – and your visuals are very well done.
Keep up the good work here.
~Oswegan
October 17th, 2007 at 4:07 am
Kittykins welcome, and thanks.
Celestine welcome. That site is so good. It does all the hard bits for you and gives you an idea where to start. I love it.
RC I will stick you on the list.
Lori this sounds fantastic. I have never heard of ‘the cup’ though. Must look that up. I will add you to the list for environmental linky love. We’re turning stuff off more when we’re not using them. It’s sometimes just a case of breaking habits isn’t it.
Walksfarwoman, thank you. And well done on spelling supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. I’m impressed, hee hee.
Butrfly Garden, you are on the list. We have to get loads of new fixtures, but it will be worth it in the end.
October 17th, 2007 at 5:24 am
Hi Oswegan. Welcome.
I just picked the photos in the main. All the really gorgeous ones are from
http://www.sxc.hu/home
Thanks for the comment though.