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The Green Light

 - By Duane Dahl, creator of EarthLab

Writing my very first column as the founder of the EarthLab.com is truly an unsettling exercise. In writing this column I am reminded of the humbling responsibility I've shouldered in supporting the international effort to reverse or retard the effects of global warming and climate change. I will do my best to be worthy of that responsibility. EarthLab.com is being offered as: " The first climate crisis community to be a voice and a forum for people interested in leading a healthier, a more earth-friendly, and a more environmentally balanced lifestyle." Wow, that mission statement conceived by my public relations people is impressive, and again reminds me that I have a lot to live up to in fulfilling such an ambitious objective. The question is: what does it personally mean to me, and how did I arrive at the point of caring about global warming and climate change? Just nine short months ago, my wife was (lovingly) yelling at me for leaving my trash on the kitchen counter and behind the sink. You see, I could never decide which was "trash" and what was deemed recyclable. I relied on guessing, and, if uncertain about the identity of some cast-off material, I could always stuff it in the bottom of the trash container,

 

My "Green Light" Moment came when I was 13 years old. I've always loved animals and nature itself, so, when I began to read about global warming and how it affected the environment, I began to write about it. Global warming affects everyone; it's a chain reaction. The temperature is changing. whether it means more heat and drought or more rain and flooding. Everyone ends up losing, and it makes no sense to me when people question global warming. They can see the effects of it taking place in their own backyards.


Leticia, A.
California

 

I have always loved the planet, but I recently started to consider our habits a problem. I realized that we're not going to be here for very much longer if all we do is throw everything we don't want into the landfills, and if we keep having the "it won't affect me" attitude. I'm only 18, but I beg people to recycle, and I always try to get them to walk instead of driving down the street to the 7-11. I feel it's part of who I am to help the earth, and I'll do anything.


Krysta P.
Alberta, Canada

 

My green awakening was a combination of a sort of "waking up" point in my life. I had already begun thinking about my health, pollution, chemicals, and the environment. Then I saw "The Inconvenient Truth," and am now actively doing research, sharing my thoughts, and talking to others. Hopefully I, along with others, can really start to make a difference.


Anita M.
Tennessee


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My green light moment came when I was younger and heard my mom talk about the environment.


Abby F.
Georgia

 

I think that changing the way you live to better protect the enviroment from further damage is an awesome thing. Even the fact that some people say that there's no global warming doesn't mean we can't change the way we live to make the earth an even greater, greener place for everyone to live.


Alexander C.
California

 

My green light came about because of a combination of things. I've been hearing about the environment since I was young, but just recently have heard more and more about it. Maybe it was Al Gore's movie or increased news coverage, but I've felt the need to help. It seems like such a huge problem, and I have no idea how anything small I do will help - but I figure it's time I try.


Lindsy B.
Ohio

 

The event that switched on my green light occurred perhaps 15 years ago. It was when the oil tanker, Exxon Valdez, struck an iceberg or land (I cannot remember which), and dumped all of its oil into the Arctic Ocean. This one accident made me realize the detrimental impact it had on all the lives of the wildlife. Seeing the helpless birds, the toxic ocean, the dead marine life, and all the black shores made me really understand how helpless the earth is. I could only imagine the rippling effects it had on the entire ecosystem and the long lasting effects that would not easily be erased. If one oil tanker could cause so much distaster to a fragile system, what will the enitre human race do to the earth? I realize that it takes efforts on everyone's part to be responsible, and I realize that we all need to think about our actions and how they can impact our earth. I wish everyone could realize that they can make a difference, and that it's not too late.


Lin C.
Texas

 

My mom turned on my green light! Thanks to her, and I love her so much!


Ashley
Oregon


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When I had my daughter, I wanted to make sure I made the best decisions for her to start her on a healthy path. So I started to surf the web, and I get sucked into this whole new world that I can't believe and didn't know about before. Sure I recycled, but that's about it. Then I bought Al Gore's film, "An Inconvenient Truth," and I was overwhelmed. Now I volunteer for the Peace and Environmental Resource Centre in my city. Every day I learn more and more, and I make sure my friends and family get the information, too.


Angel G.
Ontario, Canada

 

I think I knew I was green before it was a color - a knowing I was born with. Growing up in the blistering cold winters of Wisconsin was enough to propel me to design an earth-sheltered house when I was 16 (1976). I later moved to the mountains of California and lived in a solar cabin for a number of years, remodeled several properties with energy efficient features, and then built an insulated concrete house. I've incorporated green living into my business life by getting our real estate community to adopt a proposal to include green features in our residential listings. I work with the regional green building association to promote education and awareness. My passion for green has continued to grow over the years, and now I love helping others switch on their green lights!


Tamara P.
California

 

"The Inconvenient Truth" turned on my green light. I'm glad someone got up to say what has needed to be said for a long time. Just Imagine the difference that one election could have made in the world.


Elicia L.
Alberta, Canada

 

Well I have always been willing to live a GREEN lifestyle, and only now that I am a young adult do I have some autonomy to make my own positive choices so far as that lifestyle is concerned. Yet, the defining moment for me was watching, "An Inconvenient Truth."


Alexis
South Africa

 

After I watched Al Gore's film, I knew that I had to do something. I am 13 years old, and I am very aware and scared about global warming. I convinced my parents to buy energy saving lightbulbs, I and my entire family recycle, and I am trying to get all of my other friends to recycle. I turn off anthing that involves using energy, and I try to do my part all the time. Every minute of my life I try to be an energy saver!


Adrienne
Pennsylvania


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In August of 2004 (I believe it was 2004), there was a blackout from a problem that began at a coal generated electric plant here in Eastlake, Ohio, 2 miles or less from my home. It tripped many other grids, and power was lost to millions of people - and not just in Ohio. I also realized that my wooden privacy fence was covered with coal dust. There are more ozone action days now, and we have just been told to expect an even greater number of them. Another "Green Light" moment because of my sadness at seeing so many trees chopped down for greedy developers and from seeing the deer and other birds and animals struggle to survive. I am very concerned about the ice melting of the glaciers, the huge land fills, the plastic bags, and the styrofoam products. Shall I go on? I'm scared as hell!


Joannie
Ohio

 

I have taught eco-friendly science for 30 years, but it was the research of penguins after the film, "March of the Penguins," that made me realize the importance of everything we humans do on our planet - actions that are either helping or harming our beautiful world. It is time to do something about the mess we have made.


Allison
West Virginia

 

I was in an anthropology class in college, discussing immigration models in relation to the glacial/interglacial cycle of the Ice Age. We talked about signs that could be recovered by things like sediment and sea ice cores, giving clues to the climate of yesteryear. We discussed the unprecedented jump of certain elements in the atmosphere within the last century or so, and we discussed the so-called "greenhouse effect." We went in-depth with things like deep ocean current and jet stream - and how they could be affected by so little (relatively, not ecologically speaking) as a 3 degree climate shift. Once we added it all up and looked at current conditions, the class sat silent, all of us a bit panicked for a few moments. That very afternoon II walked to Wal-Mart and bought a bike for the first time in ten years.


B.
California

 

My green light moment occurred during the Al Gore documentary; in particular, I was moved by the fact that that the polar bears will have trouble surviving because the northern ice cap is melting.


William
Florida

 

My green light moments began in grade 8. That was when I really became aware of what was happening. When I started high school, I decided to do something. I joined the Earth Links Club at school and began to recycle everything that could be recycled. My family is also a part of this fight; they recycle and have also purchased an eco-friendly toilet and shower head. My dad always uses cold water to wash clothes and hang dries everything. When it rains, he hangs clothes in our bathroom, except for winter when he uses the dryer. The only negative environmental fact of our lives is that we have heavy-duty vehicles - but only because we travel and carry a lot of cargo, including our animals. I know that's not an excuse, and i've tried to sway family members, but they love their cars. Nevertheless, we have at least switched all of our light bulbs!


Brittany S.
Ontario, Canada


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Nothing really switched on a green light for me. It had more to do with how I was raised. By growing up on a farm, I learned early on how to raise my own food, how to preserve that food by canning, how to recycle the canning jars for reuse, how to use non-electrical methods of clothes washing, and so many other things. All waste had an additional purpose. Food scraps were not thrown away. Corn cobs and other vegetable waste were given to the chickens which in turn produced eggs for the family. Bones and left-over meats were given to the cats which in turn kept the place rodent free. Egg shells were crushed and used as grit for walking on icy paths, the shells eventually decomposing and adding nutrients to the soil. Home items were not throw away things, but items that lasted decades, such as glass mixing bowls and ovenwear and cast iron cookwear that lasts for generations. Paper plates were something you saw at a picnic, not an everyday, throw away item. I am not an old man talking about a life way back when. This is how we lived in the 1970's and 1980's, a life I continue to live today.


Bryan F.
West Virginia

 

It happened in 1990 on Earth Day. I was made aware of Earth Day that year. I was in 10th grade, and had already stopped eating meat, and had begun washing my clothes in cold water and hanging them to dry. In college I gave a speech on recycling. Currently, I try to do things that will help lessen my impact on earth. Finally we have someone in a highly recognized position who understands the environmental problems, and we have people who are finally hearing that we must do something. Recycle - Reuse - Renew


Kimberly S.
Tennessee

 

I've always been pretty aware of the damage humans are causing the planet. I have always done little things - pick up trash, recycle, reuse, etc. However, after seeing "An Inconvenient Truth," my little green light turned brighter and started multiplying! Now I have a green light show! I have replaced almost 30 incandescent light bulbs with CFL's, I bought a Nissan Altima Hybrid, I bug my friends about recycling and cfl's, and a few other things. Thanks, Al Gore!


Jimi D.
Arizona

 

I always thought I was doing the right things, but watching "An Inconvienent Truth" really set a fire inside of me. It's now or never - a future or no future.


Meg D.
New York

 

My green light moments began in grade 8. That was when I really became aware of what was happening. When I sI watched Live Earth this summer and realized that it doesn't take much effort to make a difference. Since then, I've been conscious about turning out lights in my house when I don't need them, as well as in other people's houses. I encourage people I know to use CFL's and other energy saving methods because I want to be able to say that I made a difference in the world around me.


Alex
Maine


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My green light wa turned on about seven years ago by watching television programs about how we were polluting the earth.


Brian F.
Wisconsin

 

In short my green light was turned on by having a daughter and realizing what I do not want her to experience. I want her to enjoy the planet, not live in a toxic wasteland, or have her or her children fear that they might not survive. I had always tried to be aware of my actions, and now it is becoming easier to do little things. The biggest barrier to becoming more green has been the up-front costs, but these costs are slowly going down. About time!

Bryn M.
Kansas

 

I have always been interested in recycling and conservation. I and my 18 siblings naturally had to conserve and recycle everything to survive. I am very grateful my parents taught us how to grow our food, sew our clothes, and make our own blankets and quilts from scrap materials. I continue to do my best to improve the state of our earth.


Linda E.
New Zealand

 

I am a fashion student, and I was required to take a textiles class. One of my teachers' lectures involved renewable resources to make textiles and other items that wouldn't be as harmful to the earth. I did a project on recycled soda bottles being used to make textiles. Our teacher told us about hemp used for textiles, as well as paper and other materials. That was when I decided to start doing my part to be green. Now I use energy efficient, organic products such as bed linens and clothes, and my dogs have toys made out of hemp. I am trying to get more people to be green and do their part in saving the earth.


L.T.
California

 

I had heard about the documentary and book, "An Inconvenient Truth," but didn't really know what it was about, except that our planet was warming at a rapid rate and ultimately threatening our survival - and we had to do something about it. That summer I went to Alaska with my family and saw firsthand how fast the glaciers were melting and receding. I then watched and read "An Inconvenient Truth," and completed a global warming research paper for school. I had actually seen the effects of it, I knew it was real, and I wanted nothing more than to stop it. I heard that species would die all over the planet, including, eventually, human beings. I try to inform everyone I know about how dire the situation is, and I've turned my roommate onto recycling and cutting off lights and television sets when we aren't in the room.


Erica M.
Arizona


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I watched "An Inconvenient Truth." All I can say is, thank God that Al Gore didn't become President, because he probably wouldn't have had time to envoke the massive change he's made in the world.


Jess
Michigan

 

My green light moment happened when I was shopping in a Roots store in Toronto. I was purchasing a large canvas tote with the label, "stop global warming," and it really made everything come together for me - the things I had learned in a chemistry class, what I had learned from "An Inconvenient Truth," etc. It really showed me that this saving the Earth thing is serious, and that everyone can do their part, and that by doing their part, they are not oddballs. I use that tote to carry groceries in, and, in everytime I do, I feel better about doing my part.

Kristen
Michigan

 

My grandmother taught us to respect the earth and give back what the earth provides us. We've been recyclers for a long time. I love the commercials that remind us that what we do today affects our children and our childrens' children. We only have one earth, and we are responsible for taking care of it as it takes care of us. I didn't really want to bring religion into this, but it really is religion that has led me down the path of caring for our earth and being a responsible citizen. Oh, and how proud I was when my 4 year old son scolded his dad for depositing a piece of paper in the garbage saying, "Dad! That's paper. It goes in the recycling box!" Gotta love kids. They are our future.


Janet B.
California

 

I have two green light moments. I started birdwatching as a hobby and started to learn about how climate change is destroying bird habitats. I also enjoy cross country skiing and having normal seasons. The last few years I have noticed that we are rarely at the normal seasonal temperature, and I am noticing how our ski season is shortening. This is disturbing to me.


Andrew
Ontario, Canada

 

Actually, my green light was turned on back when Al Gore spoke to a group of students before (or perhaps while) putting pen to paper with his ideas on global warming. Up to that point, there'd been a lot of discussion about the issue, but few seemed to show more than token concern. I always saw Gore as one of the leading visionaries of his time (I was an early player in The Web Project, and can vouch that the first time I heard the term, "information superhighway." It was from Al Gore). When he started the alarm, I knew it was already well into the problem. His call to action is something that everyone should heed. With a simple effort and slight inconvenience (if any), we can collectively make an enourmous difference for generations to come.


Jim V.
Rhode Island


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The birth of my daughter turned on my green light.


K.P.
California

 

My green light moment was watching "An Inconvenient Truth." It shook me to the core, so I now do many energy effecient actions (as many as I can; I'm 13). I also tell my friends and family to be more energy efficient, and I bought the DVD of "An Inconvenient Truth." I watch it whenever I stop feeling worried about our planet, and it always makes me determined to do something good.

Viola M.
France

 

I watched David Attenborough's documentary about climate change. The first thing I did when it was finnished was to maniacally run around the house, turning of all the lights and all electrical equipment. I even turned off the radiator in my room. The next day the temperature went down to below zero outdoors, and I thought I was going to freeze to death.


Julia G.
Sweden

 

MY green light was truned on when I watched "An Inconvenient Truth."


Paul F.
California

 

My green light was turned on as a result of seeing "An Inconvenient Truth."


Catharine S.
Texas

 

I was raised with the belief that, if you take something from the earth, you need to give something back in return. After Al Gore made "An Inconvenient Truth," I hoped people would realize what they are doing and re-think their actions - but recent horrors in my neighborhood like the killing of 3 amazing 100 year old trees because they are in the way of construction is inexcusable. The worse part of it is that I had to stand aside and watch this because I couldn't do anything about it. The city couldn't get involved because it was on private property. The developer only cared about a quick profit. The neighborhoods have become so isolated that people don't stand together and even try to stop this sort of thing. People need to make their voices heard with the people in power and get new laws to protect what we have left. The killing of the environment is not a nuisance but an irreparable harm. Write letters and create petitions, because, if we don't, then the efforts of everyone else will be wasted and nothing will change.


Andrea B.
New York


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In my Intercultural Communications class we watched Al Gore's movie about global warming. After seeing this movie, it really made me think about the impact I have on the environment around me and convinced me that I could make better choices. Therefore, I am going to make a serious effort to change my weak areas, like turning off the lights and my computer when not in use. It is a serious problem at my house.


Tonya R.
New Jersey

 

I've been doing my part for around 5 years now, but it wasn't until seeing "An Inconvenient Truth" and reading "The Weather Makers" by Tim Flannery that I realised how incredibly serious the problem is. Most of my efforts were more focused on being less wasteful and saving electricity, etc. I knew this had an effect on the environment and knew a lot of it affected the use of fossil fuels which in turn produced pollution. I didn't realise just how much we do connects to global warming; it's crazy! So I'm doing my utmost best to improve my Low-Carbon lifestyle and encourage my friends and family around me to do the same. My fingers are crossed in hopes that we can help repair the damage we have done before we all have to live high on a mountain in a bunker to avoid the rising sea levels and treacherous weather!

Pete
Hong Kong

 

When I worked at a survey company, I finally realized how bad the lack of recycling is and how seldom people think about conserving energy. We did one survey about peoples' lifestyle habits, and a few of the questions were about their conservation habits. Just from the surveys I did, it was easy to see that no one was really doing much in helping the envirorment. I can't say that I'm great about conservation efforts, but at least I'm now making the effort.


Erin
Texas

 

Watching "An Inconvenient Truth" opened my eyes to the truth of what we have done to the world, and to the extent that we have and are continuing to change our planet.


C.J.
New Jersey

 

Believe it or not, I had it on {the green light] all the time since school when we did an excellent job during one environmental day. Our teacher asked us to do some research on tips to improve the environment, and that's where I learned the basic way of green thinking. I still remember being a boy and closing the tap while soaping my hands. Since then, I have developed over the years a profound love for my planet. Now, as a grown up, I have become involved in writing a monograph about the Kyoto protocol for a University assignment called, "Science, Technology, and Society." I have also made a speech about climate crisis for the assignment, "Professional Comunication".


Neo O.
Uruguay

 

Well, 4 years ago, i noticed that my electrc bill was too high, so I changed almost all electric bulbs to neons and high eficiency bulbs, changed my old television set to a new, more efficient set, and purchased a new washing machine, class AA+, the most energy efficient model available. Now I'm trying to find some electric panels for electricity from the sun.


Tibenschi F.
Romania


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My mother told me that, during World War II, everything was recycled. In the 1970s, I started recycling paper, glass, steel,and aluminum, and taught my children about the environment and recycling. We also raised our own vegetables and canned them at home. For my family it is now our lifestyle.


Larry
Ohio

 

My green light was turned on by watching "An Inconvenient Truth" in one of my classes.

Jillian
New Jersey

 

My Green Light moment came when I understood that all plastics ever made are still present. They do not appreciably degrade over time.


Charles S.
Missouri

 

I have always been semi-aware of the limited nature of natural resources, but the real change came when I visited the Dolphin Research Center in the Florida Keys. Before participating in an amazing and moving encounter with these magnificent mamals, we all sat through a learning session on man's impact on the oceans and on the beings that call it home. Swimming with a dolphin and staring into those intelligent eyes made the global nature of our planet real for me. A cigarette butt dropped on the street in Ohio can wind up in an ocean off of Hawaii. We are all connected. Man considers himself the reigning king, the dominate species. With that comes the ultimate responsibility for taking care of our world. When I left the DRC in Florida, I was committed to making change and encouraging change in those around me. I have returned to my dolphins several times since then, and each visit only strengthens my resolve. We can make a difference.


Roxy
California

 

When emailing a friend who supports scientists in Antarctica, I asked what they were saying around the coffee machine regarding climate. Her email stunned me with its sense of urgency and challenge. That's what got me. Also, an environmental scientist I see almost every day who is now retired has educated me about the Pandora boxes waiting to be opened if we let global warming continue unabated.


Don K.
Minnesota

 

Taking a Global Warming/End of Oil course last year at St. Lawrence University switched on my green light. I realized how much the world is going to change in the next 30 or 50 years, and my generation is going to be right in the middle of it all. At the end of the class, we had to write a report on a topic related to the class. I wrote about the geopolitics of oil in the Middle East, and realized that oil - the lifeblood of much of the world - really only has a few more decades of existence. The oil problem ties in directly with global warming, which got me interested in how we can help fix this problem.


Charles
Massachusetts


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Surprisingly, it was a Phillips commercial for CFLs that flipped the switch on my "green light". I immediately went online to research how I could do my part.


Kaleigh
Nevada

 

Definitely Al Gore and his documentary switched on my green light. Also, I recently watched "Who Killed the Electric Car," and was moved. I've been a vegetarian for 19 years, and it was nice to learn that being a vegetarian helps, too! I bought a GMC Yukon Denali just before "An Inconvenient Truth" came out, and have been troubled ever since. This upcoming year we plan to trade it in for the Hybrid Toyota Sienna Minivan (40mpg). My husband and I agreed that, if we had the money, we would take it to a junkyard and videotape the smashing of the truck (as in "Who Killed the Electric Car") and send it to GM. Then no one else could drive it and pollute! Unfortunately, we don't have the money to back up our fantasy! Thanks for keeping this website around! It's such a great resource!

Jenny H.
Virginia

 

I moved to Hawaii to go to school, and while there I suddenly realized the importance of invasive species and habitat destruction in a way that I had previously never been exposed to. The more I looked at what the environment needed, the more I realized how much we really are destroying it. Now I am trying to do my part. I have even decided to become a vegetarian, and, when I moved back home to California, I didn't buy a car, but decided to rely on public transportation.


Jenn
California

 

It didn't take a lot to motivate me. I've sort of been hypersensitive to the environmental problem from an early age. It was just something i observed and saw as a very bad thing that I couldn't really understand. I suppose it just clicked a bit more in recent years for me, because it's starting to hit more people in the face, and their reactions are inspiring to me - even if they don't believe and want to use all of their energy to deny we've impacted the Earth in a negative way. It's simply good to know that it's finally being pushed to the front of a list of a lot of issues that need to be dealt with immediately, and that's enough to keep me passionate about learning, and doing all that I can about the problem and the things we can all do as members of this global community to heal the damage we've caused.


Andrew S.
Missouri

 

My mother had the family recycling before I was born. She was raised in the Great Depression, and raised her own family during WW II. There was nothing that we didn't recycle, and I can honestly say, nothing ever went to waste in my family. I married a man of like mind, and we raised our children the same way. So, I guess you could say that I was "born into green." My mother could have only made it greener if I had been born at home. She left the hospital only a few hours after my birth, declaring the hospital too dirty for a baby.


Connie
Virginia


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My green light moment occured when I revisted a special place (a beautiful lake in a shaded park area) that I affectionately called "my watching God space." I hadn't been in that place for some time, and I packed up my blanket and basket. When I arrived, things looked very different. The lake was now more like a creek (water levels lowered significantly), and the animal sightings were now far and few in between. As I sat there, trying to figure out why everything was so different, I began to notice that it wasn't as warm as it used to be at that time of year, either; everything was off. Then it hit me: Melissa, you barely recycle, you drive a truck, and all of the lights in your home are usually on. I turned to leave and saw my huge gas guzzler, emission hound Expedition and felt a light of sorts turn on. This light gave way to thoughts of my 6 year old -- the child I had told about my special place. I realized that she wiould never see it as I had once seen it, because of the condition our environment is in -- the condition I was contributing to regularly. I am now an advocating, participating, earth loving, word spreading Greenie. SMILE.


Melissa Q.
District of Columbia

 

National Geographic, our rivers and streams, and knowing we can make clean power turned on my green light.

Ray D.
Oregon

 

Watching "An Inconvenient Truth" was really a scary experience. I knew it was all happening, but wow. My daughter asked me one day (she is 11), "Mom, would it be better for the environment if all the kids on the bus rode with their parents, or stayed riding the bus?" At 11, she is concerned; maybe I should be, too. So I was working on my company newsletter and wanting to do an article on global warming, and I came across Energy Star's Change a Light Program. I was hooked! I went to the mayor in my town and got him to proclaim a day in our town as Change a Light Day. Posters are now in the stores, and people are pledging to make a difference. It matters to me that my children and their children enjoy the same life that we had growing up. I can't believe we have done what we have done. We are killing our planet, and it's sick. The amount of waste in our office alone is prompting me to take action. The earth is the only home we have!


Heather
Virginia

 

All the natural catastophes that are happening around the world due to global warming are what triggered my green light.


Ana
Mexico

 

My green light moment was when I noticed that my annual stroll along the banks of the Sava River in Slovenia revealed that the landscape was cluttered with piles of human garbage strewn so carelessly everywhere. The same thing occurred when I noticed a similar state along the coastline of the Adriatic Sea in Croatia during an off-season stroll, probably the result of waste left behind on the beaches or fallen out of, or tossed off, boats during tourist season. I was shocked at how little love and respect people have for the environment. I was raised to clean up after myself; what about the rest of the population?


Evening L.
Croatia


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My parents made me go along and see "An Inconvenient Truth" with them and my sister. I wasn't too keen, but, after watching it, I became more aware of things that I previously took for granted. Then came 07.07.07, which, for a 14 year old girl, was really exciting as it featured my favourite band (Bon Jovi). That's what led to me driving my parents insane by unplugging everything around the house. If Bon Jovi says it's cool, I'll be right in there.


Melanie B.
New Zealand

 

My moment of truth hit me in the face as I was watching the concerts on July 7. The messeges between the musical acts made me think of how I could lessen my carbon footprint. I can easily change my lightbulbs into CFLs, and just as easily I can use a reusable bag when I go grocery shopping - but my biggest change to date is the way I think. Since July 7, I always consider what's best for Mother Earth before I act. Whether it be shopping, traveling, or cooking, I try to act as earth conscious as possible, and I'm telling all my friends how they can help the earth as well.

Linda J.
Finland

 

I don't know the moment my green light was switched on, but I have been watching the effects on the earth's global warming for some time. I watched Al Gore's program this summer and was impressed. I have bought Star efficient lightbulbs, checked my tires more often, and cleaned the filter in my home heating & cooling unit more often. I think everyone can help if they think about it. The melting of the polar caps is a very scary thing. We must do everything we can to reverse global warming.


Hugh R.
Texas

 

My green light, ironically, was switched on when I was flying to the U.S and watching Al Gore's film, "An Inconvenient Truth." This was an eye opening documentary which taught me a lot about the world and what people are doing to the world. Even more so the film taught me what harm we are causing to the creatures in the world that are helpless and are suffering as a result of our actions. It was after watching this film that I realized we all have to work together to make a change and really make a difference. This also happened at a time in my life when I was venturing into business, and this helped me develop my business name, Unity Dance. We all have to work together to make it work. With this name I hope to help spread the message of the importance of protecting the world we live in.


Nina L.
United Kingdom

 

I got a two-fer: 1. When I realized I didn't have to be paralyzed by what to do or how to affect everything, I then realized that I could start anywhere and that small gestures accrue and matter. It was like wanting to make a ripple on a pond, knowing that it doesn't really matter from which shore I throw the stone to make the ripple - or what green place I start from, as long as I start. 2. I also discovered that starting involved two principles: First, give. Second, nourish trust. This is a lot more freeing, inspiring, and energizing than working from fear, even if what I learn does make me afraid sometimes. My colleagues and I do something we call Global Swarming, and it's beginning to work!


Lesleigh L.
Wisconsin

 

My green light moment happenend gradually. It started with an interest in aromatherapy. In reading everything I could about the subject, I started making my own lotion, soap, and household cleaning products. In the process, I found out how nasty the products I was using were for the planet and myself. The more I research, mostly via the internet, the more things I find I can do to help fix the planet.


Kathy B.
Washington


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My story is a story of how my deep, unconfortable feelings came up from just watching the Al Gore movie. When I was little, I used to swim in the clean and transparent water of the little sea town I came from, Pescara, Italy. I used to fish for mussels with my father on the rocks by the beach. I used to catch live "cannolicchi" (a kind of razor creature) hidden in the sand under the water. I used to collect many different types of shells on the beach. I used to play for hours in the water. Then, slowly, in a very subliminal way, everything changed, leaving a very sad, deep feeling growing in me as I was getting older. Today there are no more cannolicchi to catch, and there are no more shells. The water is so opaque that is impossible to go close to the rocks to fish for the mussels - not to mention that during the summer there are many days when bathing is forbidden for heath issues. When you swim in the middle of thousands of algae, you need to push away floating islands of unidentified foam, plastic bottles, plastic bags, and even diapers. There are no fish or live creatures to observe. You cannot see your feet when the water is up to your calf for how polluted it is. When I see my two daughters, 5 and 3 years old, taking a bath in the sea, I think that they do not realize what they are missing, but I do. I do know how things changed in almost 40 years. My deep, sad feeling came up in all its dramatic power when I saw the Al Gore movie. Now I'm concerned for the future of my daughters. I reacted by starting a group, "Think Green - Act Clean," to raise awareness where I now live, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. It's such a green place, still full of nature life if compared to Italy. I hope that, by reading my story, people will understand how much you can lose for your children in just 40 years - and it's not just a deep feeling; it's a reality. You cannot have back what you destroy. It's better to invest time and resources to preserve what you have for your children. Be the actor in this life; stop hiding in denial. Preserve the earth for your children.


Vanessa S.
Ohio

 

My green light turned on when I saw a documentary about the hole in the ozone layer above Chile and South America. I got really scared about it. In fact, I'm still terrified of it. Because I live in Mexico, and if it keeps growing the way it is - well, I don't want to imagine the consequences. So, since the time I was in elementary school, I have always been doing whatever I can to help stop the environmental crisis.

Emma A.
Mexico

 

Definitely "An Inconveniat Truth" turned on my green light - that and the denial of companies and organizations that don't believe there's a crisis (they doth protest too much). I have always wanted to be involved in the effort to stop the climate crisis. Al Gore put it into words for me.


Tyrone L.
Florida

 

My green light was conveniently switched on when I sat down and watched Live Earth end to end. Music is a love of mine, and now saving our planet is another love.


Ashleigh T.
Australia

 

While watching the Live Earth global concert, I saw an insert of Ben Affleck taking recyclable items out of the normal trash and dumping them in the recycle bin. I thought,:"Surely I can look into recycling." Since then, I've acquired a recycling service for my home garbage. I am determined to recycle at least 2/3 to 3/4 of my weekly garbage. I now put out my normal garbage for collection once a month instead of once a week. Next step is to compost my kitchen waste and reuse the water I use for rinsing glasses, washing food, etc. In the 3 months since signing up with Earthlab, I've reduced my carbon footprint by 1.2 tons/year. Thanks for all the information that helped me make these changes.


Glenn P.
South Africa


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My green moment came from seeing a bumper sticker on a car that asked the question, "Throw it away where?"


Wayne
Colorado

 

My green moment didn't come from a shattering realization, but just from the experience of diving, seeing the beauty and thinking how we might ruin the seas with polution and particularly oil spills.

Neil
United Kingdom

 

During my junior and senior years, I lived with an environmental geology major, and from her studies found out incredible information on why this climate change is so different than previous climate shifts. From then on, I tried to cut down on certain things, using my air conditioner too much, driving when I could easily walk somewhere, etc. Additionally, I have tried to make my parents and siblings more eco-friendly, though that's an uphill battle. However, by leading and by example I'm hoping to influence them a little bit.

Katy
Ohio

 

My mom was born in Poland in 1910,. and came to the U.S. in 1913 She was in the habit of conserving everything. I grew up in the fiifties with my mom; she grew vegetables and canned everything, composted the garbage, and saved bags, bows, and giftwrap, as well as creating our own giftwrap. When she opened the fridge, she would work fast and not leave the door open. We hung our clothes outside to dry, and always turned off lights not in use. As an adult, I have been recycling and reusing for the last 30 years, and have been encouraging others to do the same. I take home plastic, aluminium, and anything else to recycle from work. When I brush my teeth, I turn off the water, and, before rinsing my mouth, pray for the Dominican families and all of the other people in the world without water. I say grace prayer before meals, pray for those who are hungry and for those who are inadequately paid for their labors. I keep trying to live intentionally and green wherever I can. I know I still have a long way to go. Thanks and Peace!


Val K.
Washington

 

My green light moment happened years ago as a child. My mother vigilantly recycled and reused everything she could to be eco-conscious: She washed and dried plastic sandwich bags, filled glass bottles with tap water for the fridge, used hand towels in the kitchen instead of paper, and reused tin foil several times. She was my role model, and her green efforts have stayed close to my heart ever since.


Laura
California

 

My green light moment dates back to 1977, when taking Environmental Chemistry during my college years. I have worked in numerous manufacturing companies ever since, always on the environmental compliance side. My most challenging and fun project has been as a garbologist for the processing of municipal waste. Your trash is my cash!


Eileen P.
Puerto Rico


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At first, even though I knew there was a big problem, I didn't help. When I started getting worried and changing my way of living was when I saw the dramatic changes in our environment - floods, hurricanes, tsunamis, fires, endangered species. Ever since, I have been changing my habits in a good way. Every day I try to tell people to change because I want a future, I want to get old, and I want to accomplish all my goals. I want the world to be a good place to live. Al Gore inspired my life and way of living, and I admire him. His efforts inspire my efforts. I hope that everyone can act against global warming and change their way of living.


Gaby K.
Mexico

 

"An Inconvenient Truth" turned on my green light.

Chuck
Colorado

 

People turned on my green light - people who were aware of the environmental probems educated me.

George
New Zealand

 

I was always aware of the crisis the earth was going through, but the intensity of the problem dawned on me only after watching the Live Earth concert and after visting your website. Immediately after that I decided to change all the bulbs I was using in my house and bought CFL's instead (12 in all). This way I have not only managed to reduce my carbon footprint, but have also reduced my energy bills. In the office I always switch off my monitor and any other idle computers when I go for lunch or when I go home at the end of the day. I do the same thing with lights. At home we have stopped keeping appliances on stand-by mode. I sincerely hope that all of these changes will help to make the earth a better place to stay.


Pradeep P.
India

 

I've always thought the world could be greener; however, it was while watching "An Inconvenient Truth" that I started realizing the global impact of what we were doing. In addition to that, I was moved by the efforts of individual cities to join Kyoto, even though there has been no national movement to do so.


Edward V.
New Mexico


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