What exactly does the "M" in AMA stand for again?
Disgusted by the Stars
You Know the Economy's Really Hurting When
The Baby Botchers
Chucky's Little Dog?
The Joy of Food Service
To Boldly Go Where No Man Has Gone Before...
Speaking of Wrecks...
Secrets of a Happy Marriage
Doctor Who: Rose

« | »

An Uncomfortable Truth

Last night, I went with a couple of friends to see the Al Gore/Global Warming documentary "An Inconvenient Truth." It was actually a very good movie - very affecting and thought provoking. Leaving the theater, our group was discussing our own impact on the environment and energy usage. And that when it hit me, my own uncomfortable truth: the reason I have a nice roof over my head and a comfortable lifestyle is because of the energy companies that are helping to ruin our world.

My husband works for one of the largest manufacturers and maintainers of power generation equipment in the world. His job involves the maintenance of the majority of power generation equipment (think power plants) in the state of Virginia. Quite possibly, he may, one day soon, be in charge of the building a slew of new coal burning power plants in Virginia. The more energy that Virginians use (and waste), the more work my husband has. In essence, the consumption of fossil fuels and consequent pollution of our Earth puts food on my table. That's an uncomfortable truth.

This realization made me feel very powerless, which was the opposite of what the movie was going for. I look at our sorry government and I feel powerless. I look at the disorganization of the Democratic party and I feel powerless. I hate feeling powerless.

I am not sure what one unknown person can do to help the environment, but I feel like after watching "An Inconvenient Truth," I at least have to try in my own way. Even if it is something as simple as getting recycling bins put in at my local pool, I have to try something. Maybe one unknown person by herself can't make a difference, but if a bunch of unknown persons do something at the same time, maybe something will change. That is the empowering truth.

Add comment

Topic

Text


Your name

Your email address (if any)

Your personal page (if any)

AuthImage

July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
November 2006
September 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005

Dr. Who [1]
Mom-itude [3]
On a serious note [2]
Our Crazy World [10]
Advice for Celebrities [6]
Advice for Characters [3]
Veronica Mars [3]
General [16]
Random Musings [13]

Favorite forums (or should it be fora?)
Lake Norman Mommies
Personal Stuff
Sprocket's Dogster Page
Wicket's Dogster Page
Snarky Snark
TWoP
Go Fug Yourself