Going green brings sense of pride

One trend that keeps coming into focus has captured my interest and made me think about my choices – and maybe you have had the same introspective experience. That growing movement is the increase in environmental awareness.

Environmentalism, for me, has always been a little touch-and-go. I cut up the plastic rings from the Diet Mountain Dews so they don’t kill the dolphins, but I have never shed a tear for the rainforest. I don’t throw my trash out the car window, but I also don’t spend every weekend with gloves and a garbage bag picking other folks’ trash up from roadside ditches.

Like a lot of America though – and, in its turn, a lot of Franklin – I’m starting to pay more attention.

This Earth is the only Earth we get, so it makes sense that we should take some intentional steps to treat it well and make it last. When something is unique – one-of-a-kind – we place a high value on it, like the only copy of a book signed by the author or the only painting left by a particular artist.

We should place a high value on our one-of-a-kind planet as well.

I’m getting smarter, and I’m taking the small steps I can take “go green” – or at least a little greener. Maybe I’m going sage green, or seafoam green.

I purchased a set of reusable shopping bags, and I’m looking into stainless steel straws. “Conscious consumerism” and sustainability are topics I’m researching, and I’m trying to find out what else I can tackle to do my part.

It might not make a huge difference, but I’m not out to save the world. I’m just hoping to make an effort that will mean at least a little something.

I’ve seen efforts in Franklin County to be kind to our planet, as well. Our schools have clean-up days, when our students learn how their environment can be healthier and more beautiful just by putting trash where it belongs. Our communities plant trees, clean up the streets and look for eco-friendly solutions to our problems. Arbor Day and Earth Day are always observed here, and from our schools’ Environmental Clubs to our communities’ farmers, foresters, biologists and more, there is a respect for the land that makes me smile.

I’m sure it’s true that we could always do more, but I’m proud to live in a place that cares about the Earth. May we all continue to focus on a brighter future for our planet – whether that means recycling paper, taking your own mug to the coffee shop or just purchasing a set of reusable grocery bags and a stainless steel straw.