Earth Day

Yes, today is Earth Day. A couple of days ago at a administration meeting here I asked if anyone knew what Friday was, what significance it has. No one knew. Fifteen of the smartest people I know. Not one knew that Earth Day was upon us.

Now I know that could just be a reflection of the less than effective marketing campaign that Earth Day supporters wage every year. But I think it’s more that the environment is just not on the radar screens of most Americans. And, speaking of this society as a whole, it feels like it’s beneath us to have to worry about natural resources when we’ve become so accustomed to using them up without much concern for what using them up does and means.

Well, we should be concerned.

I feel very, very fortunate that I’ve been able to develop an audience here for my ideas about technology in the classroom. In many ways, I find it hard to believe sometimes. And I try hard to keep the discussion here focused on teachers and schools and education because I realize that’s what people expect to find here. My politics and personal life are not what this space is about.

But I feel really strongly about this issue, and so for this one day I’m going to break my rules. I’d humbly request that you do two things this Earth Day. First, read The Long Emergency: What’s going to happen as we start running out of cheap gas to guzzle? Now I know this scenario is probably more pessimistic than it needs to be, but the point is well taken. Our current pace of energy use is simply unsustainable, and the “energy bill” that the House just passed does nothing to move us in the direction we need to go.

Second, I’d ask that you do one thing to change your life to help the environment. My wife and I are nowhere near to perfect with all of this, but we are trying. And I really believe the slogan of my wife’s blog: Believing that if people knew more, they’d do more.

This is another thing we have to model for our kids. We need to be stewards of the Earth. Do one thing.

Happy Earth Day!