DROP THE ADDICTION
Happy February,
The days are getting lighter! And there is a heat wave moving through Michigan (a balmy 20 degrees)! So much to be excited about! I believe that you can never over-do a positive attitude in winter.
This month’s challenge is of a slightly different format. One of the monthly email recipients had an idea for February’s challenge, so let’s give it a shot. It’s certainly something I am interested in:
“Dear Catherine,
I have an idea for a future challenge. Of late I've been finding myself at the mercy of my laptop more than I would like. Sometimes an evening goes by where I spend 4-5 hours working, reading news, and even playing games... I'd like to try going a whole day every week without using my laptop. Do you think others could find an energy-intensive activity like this they feel unfortunately addicted to and do the same thing? Like no TV once a week? or no driving? Or no cooking?”
This seems to be a challenge everyone might be able to relate to! It’s also pretty straightforward (less electricity = less greenhouse gas emissions, less risk of climate change, less pollution resulting from coal burning, more free time to spend playing games with those you love, etc.). Let me know if you have questions.
As a side note, this relates well to something I have been thinking a lot about lately. I am currently taking an environmental sociology course, and we are discussing the potential advantages and pitfalls of “green technology.” (like the iPad – will it save paper, or lose its coolness in the next two years to something shinier and end up in the mouth of some 4-year old child laborer in China like so much of our supposedly “recycled” e-Waste…documentary at: http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/ghana804/video/video_index.html) If you have any thoughts on this, I would be interested in hearing them! J
Enjoy your month!
