Health, Environment, and Buying

Many of us (including myself until recently) live a life that is disconnected from nature. The very nature that we depend on to survive. Numerous studies have confirmed the presence of unhealthy, even cancer-causing chemicals in our air, drinking water and soil. Yet we still don't make the connection between our lifestyles and those chemicals. The foods we eat are laiden with pesticides, and those pesticides end up as run-off in our lakes in rivers, damaging fish and other wildlife. We still believe chemical companies when they tell us that those chemicals are not unhealthy, even when the prevalence of cancer and other ailments is on a rapid ascent. If you have spent any time in a hospital emergency room lately, you have experienced first hand why something must be done.

However, the intent here is not to try to blame the companies. Let's face it - our desire to buy more and cheaper things has driven this to happen. We live in a capitalist society, with many people interested in amassing more wealth for themselves, and one way to do this is to operate factory farms, or manufacture goods in countries that have virtually no labour or environmental laws. The government has proven time and again that they are not willing to take action to protect citizens. Look at what they are up against: powerful companies with billions of dollars (much of which funds political campaigns in many countries.

While it is easy to blame the companies that are polluting, we can no longer claim ignorance about our consumption patterns and their impacts, and we can no longer wait for companies or governments to solve these problems.

We would be much better off if all of us could make small changes in our lives that would drive the change that is necessary. Every purchase we make is a statement of how committed we are to our environment, and social issues. If we are willing to constantly buy goods produced in other countries where labour and environmental standards are virtually non-existent, then that says something about our morals. We can no longer say that it isn't our problem, or use price as an excuse.

Jobs are fast disappearing in North America, due to our drive to buy ever cheaper goods produced elsewhere. We all know the result though don't we: the product is poor quality and we have to buy it again, and again, because it breaks down and we can't get them repaired.

Here is how you can make more responsible choices, and help to make a difference:

1) Try your darndest (I know this is hard) to buy as much as possible that is locally made. For example, I live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and was able to buy a car that was made in California. It is probably the closest place that a car is made to here. Cars in Canada are made further away, in Ontario. This supports jobs here in North America, and is more environmentally friendly.

2) Buy locally grown, organic food. Support your local farms, reduce the transportation impact of the food, and minimize the chemicals that will flow into our lakes and streams. This will improve everyone's health.

3) Drive less and take transit or bike whenever possible - oil companies have a lot of power through their billions, and they don't care about the environmental impacts of what they do. There are millions of gallons of oil accidently spilled in the ocean every year! Probably not good for the sea life!

4) Lobby your government to impose tarrifs on goods coming from other countries, to level the playing field, and preserve the jobs and the environment locally.

We can make change through our buying choices. Every time you buy something, think about the children who had to slave at $.50 per day to make it, while they are exposed to chemicals which are causing them to be sick. The chemicals used even in China can make their way here through water and air, so don't think that we are immune to the practices of other countries.

Enough waiting for others to make the right decisions - we have to do it ourselves!!! Let's show the world that we will act ethically responsibly.