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If everyone makes a minor change, then we are moving in the right direction.

After work a few days ago, I was flipping through the FM stations on the radio and happened upon an advertisement for electronic vehicles which are being widely touted as “environmentally friendly.” I understand the concept of this advertising campaign, but this switch and bait approach basically surmounts to a thinly veiled advertising ploy used by overpaid executives to assuage our consciences regarding our oversized carbon footprints.

In reality, while electronic automobiles provide freedom from foreign resource dependency and may not be as toxic as solely fuel burning automobiles, minor changes are not going to restock our diminished supplies. We need to rethink our misuse of resources and allocate other means of sustainability. At this point in time, minor modifications are “too little, too late,”. We need a messiah for the environment and we need him yesterday.

Understandably, some type of exploitation by the human race is to be expected. It is a condition of our very existence. As with any species, resources necessary for survival; primarily food supplies and production in addition to other necessities will be subtracted from the environment. However, this generation of consumers scoffs at conservation and our attitudes are short of tragic. 

There are several primary reasons our natural resources are under a strain. The first is; increasing overpopulation which increases the demand on our limited supplies. In the era where a “material girl” is the poster child for our cultures of consumerism, an increase of demanding individuals with materialistic mantras could prove detrimental. In essence, our culture of materialism is increasing in size and failing to “restock” or restore our depleted supplies.

We have all learned that for every action there is an equal reaction. Its Isaac Newton 101, and our misuse of the land is no different. The effects on our depleted resources lead to ozone depletion. While it is almost monotonous to keep pushing the negative effects of global warming and dwindling resources, we will wish we had paid attention to the warnings when our planet looks like Apocalypse Now.

I know to some extent our oil shortage is due to the Middle Eastern conflicts, but it is also a side effect of our misuse that many of us have felt, taking a hit financially and many of our summer vacations took the fatal bullet. All of the effects of our apathy and misappropriation of the guardianship of our planet have not yet been documented. However, it is safe to say that what we do know about soil erosion, desertification and extinction of species; which at some point could be mankind, should be a reason enough to promote lifestyle changes.

Most people do not enjoy hearing about or discussing our responsibility to the environment. No one wants to be the harbinger of bad news because change seems so daunting and near impossible, and few individuals really want to modify their lifestyles. A small change can go a long way. If everyone makes a minor change, then we are moving in the right direction. The key to resolving the strain on our natural resources is; finding the balance in sustainability, developing new technologies, and finding other energy sources. We can actually get pretty creative with the solutions.