i wish that i could not write something for earth day. because that would mean that every day is earth day. but we continue to celebrate a day toward our home in the cosmos, and we continue to think that we have time.

i read somewhere recently that the biggest scam ever played was corporations tricking individuals into thinking that changing our daily lifestyle is what will make the difference in climate change or overflowing landfills or endless plastic bags and swaths of plastic in the ocean. why a scam? because it’s not about whether we choose to forgo the plastic straw or turn out the lights or move closer to work to use public transportation.

it’s that those are the options we are given. sometimes those are the EASY options we are given. most times those are the ONLY options we are given.

it’s really corporations that need to change. it’s the system of ease and single use that we have been lulled into. corporations know that humans are lazy and that convenience is what we strive for. and they’ve done nothing but cater to it because we will pay for it.

so what do we do? what can we do?

i, for one, will take some minor inconveniences if i don’t have to witness water wars. if my state doesn’t become a hot spot for migration when the coasts get too warm and start to lose land to the ocean. if my ecosystem changes.

sure, i will continue to do what i can do. i’ll avoid certain products and try to use alternates and work on my plastic usage. but what really works is mass pressure from consumers on corporations. unfortunately in the capitalistic society, corps with a conscious are rare and it’s all about the cash.

if you couldn’t tell, i’m feeling a bit pessimistic about earth day this year. last year i was hopeful. but i feel like we’ve still learned nothing.