We’ve Come So Far, But Still Have So Far To Go
Posted on August 4th, 2009 - 3:00 PMA few weeks ago, I took some time off for vacation. We traveled from our southern Maryland home to the mountains of West Virginia to visit friends for a few days, and then it was off to the shores of North Carolina. Throughout the trip, I couldn’t help but marvel at the diversity of the landscape and environment even in that little triangle of the world.
Driving through the mountains in West Virginia on our way to Nags Head, we saw what I assumed (and hoped) was a wind farm on the top of a mountain. I was really quite impressed, and thoroughly pleased to see that kind of progress and forward-thinking taking hold. About 20 minutes further on our drive, strip-mining was taking place and I wondered and hoped that the environment would be restored some day.
For the next hour or so on that ride, I was thinking about all of the progress that has been made to save our environment whether it be by recycling, or energy and water conservation, and locally, nationally or even globally.
It really stuck a chord with me that as much progress we have made, we still have so far to go. Many of us wonder what impact can really be made by just our household of say one or two people. It all adds up, and each and every one of us really can make a difference…one recycled bottle or can and reusable grocery bag at a time!
About the author: Kelly Chick has worked at EPA for many years. She currently works in the Office of Public Affairs at EPA Headquarters, and manages the EPA blog, Greenversations.
Tags: North Carolina, recycling, vacation, West Virginia
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Question of the Week
August 4th, 2009 at 11:55 pm
You are very right. Every single person, company, and organization can have a big difference on environmental health by doing small things like recycling cans, bottles, plastics, and paper and conserving water and power. But there are some powerful people who think recycling and conservation are a waste and who say global warming, air pollution controls, water quality amounts to nothing more than a scheme to drive business out of state or overseas to escape what they say is anti-competitive over regulation. The schools could do a better job on teaching environmental citizenship and education starting from 1st grade. So we do have a long way to go in changing minds and views. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.
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August 5th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
We are definitely are the right track as a country. It is very important to remember that even the smallest contribution counts and is a big help to save our planet, because enough small changes add up to big results. I have seen a number of websites and blogs dedicated to helping make our planet a better place to live. One I found particularly interesting, is completely free and shows how to build your own solar panel.
[Reply]
johnny R. reply on August 6, 2009 4:12 pm:
So please share a link to that solar panel website so others can learn a practice.
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