10 ways to love your Mother Nature

May 12, 2003 11:08 AM

Sign up for David Suzuki's Nature Challenge, the "10 most effective things people can do to protect nature". If you want to talk with others that are doing the same, join the online forums. If you're skeptical, you can watch the video (5.5MB wmv) or read the science behind the steps (PDF 250KB). Hey, the stars are doing it too.
posted by will (15 comments total)

I signed up for 5, btw.
posted by will at 11:52 AM on May 12, 2003

good for david suzuki. and good for will.

this is no-brainer stuff - where the hell is leadership on easy steps like this we can take to reduce energy consumption and improve the nation and the world in the whitehouse? and state capitols?
posted by specialk420 at 12:03 PM on May 12, 2003

Suzuki just doesn't get it. These simple steps will actually lead to modest changes, but do require small amounts of effort.

As the two posts down "Operation Strangelove" folks have demonstrated before, smug slactivism is where it's at. Why try to make real change by taking public transportation to work once a week when you can display your self-satisfaction and self-importance to your friends at a screening of a 40 year old movie?

C'mon, he doesn't even have any celebrities signed up!

Wake me up when Janeane Garafolo signs up, then maybe I'll pay attention ...

(sarcasm people, it's just sarcasm)
posted by Jos Bleau at 1:01 PM on May 12, 2003

smug slactivism is where it's at

LOL. Slactivism. Love it.

I signed up too. Am I one of the few Yanks who know who David Suzuki is? No one I sent this link too knew.
posted by evilcupcakes at 1:42 PM on May 12, 2003

Very practical, very cool.
posted by Shane at 1:44 PM on May 12, 2003

You're right Shane, it is very practical.

I think this would be a good meme to spread across the internet, because it's a good cause with attainable goals. It is sort of aimed at Canadians, but it's universal in it's approach.

I wonder if it will take off...
posted by will at 1:56 PM on May 12, 2003

i <3 david, he's one of my top 5 favourite canuckleheads. we already do all 10 challenges as matter of everyday behaviour at my house tho' so signing up would be kinda cheating, no...? or should i sign up anyways, just to be on board with the concept...? doh. my brain is mush today.
posted by t r a c y at 2:01 PM on May 12, 2003

doh x 2

Even if you already do all 10, sign up anyway. You'll get our monthly e-newsletter and help send a message to our leaders that Canadians care!
posted by t r a c y at 2:05 PM on May 12, 2003

help send a message to our leaders that Canadians care!

But won't that make Americans just double up their efforts?
posted by goethean at 2:23 PM on May 12, 2003

It's a shame that these steps are only effective for Canadians. Someone should put together a list of things that Americans can do.
posted by alms at 3:11 PM on May 12, 2003

People who have grown impatient of their Federal governments have begun to "bring kyoto home." A tremendous amount can be implemented at the regional, state, and city level. There is a clearinghouse in the USA for this work. Many actions you can take are surprisingly simple. For example, replacing an incandescent bulb with a compact fluorescent will eliminate 64 pounds of CO2 emissions. More shocking: every gallon of gasoline you burn pumps 21 pounds of CO2 into the air. Change your behavior and you can stop changing the world.
posted by alms at 3:25 PM on May 12, 2003

Big deal. Seriously.

People have been aware of these things, and doing them, for 30+ years. Big deal. Consume one less gallon of gas and you save 21 pounds of CO2. But.......

Stop one farmer from torching the rain forest every year and you save millions of tons of CO2 (compounded anually). Kick one politician in the ass to double gas prices and you save millions of tons of CO2 (compounded anually). Etc etc.

Good luck to this effort, but if it hasn't worked in the last 30 years it isn't going to work now. I remember handing out fliers with this stuff 20 years ago. It's a feel good movement that doesn't change anything.

Get leaders elected that will grow a spine and make tough decisions. Cut taxes to businesses who employ environmental best practices.

Grassroots isn't working.
posted by y6y6y6 at 8:19 PM on May 12, 2003

Yeah this is like 1975 flashback watching the video.
posted by stbalbach at 10:37 PM on May 12, 2003

Great link, VERY important and useful hints. I'm not a canadian, but I signed up for all 10 - I'll be doing it in Brazil (everyone should do it in their home countries). Thanks Dr. Suzuki, thank you will.
posted by nandop at 10:20 AM on May 13, 2003

If y6y6y6 handed out fliers with this stuff 20 years ago, shouldn't this count as a double post?
posted by boost ventilator at 7:00 PM on May 14, 2003