Preserving & Conserving





Every day, the news suggests we find common ground since our very Earth is in jeopardy. My greatest love is this beautiful world.

Planetary destruction must be countered with vigilant preventative measures.  Need must trump greed if we are going to simply survive.

Why? Record breaking global surface temperatures, Antarctic sea ice loss, ocean temperatures, extreme flooding, heat waves and extensive wildfires imperil us. Just in the United States, we lost $150 billion in damage costs last year. And this is just the tip of our melting iceberg.

Over four decades ago the American Petroleum Institute established their model used oil recycling program. They advocated in their model program to place $0.05 a quart on the sales of motor oil. I helped start programs in D.C, Virginia, Florida, California and even went to Namibia to promote used oil recovery. Conservation happens once we can agree on its benefits. Now we're on a race to prevent our extinction.

Today the only states in this country that have an effective used oil recycling program placed a tax on oil. This is a great example of a carbon tax. Major auto supply stores get $40 in new business every time a DIYer oil changer brings their crankcase drainings back. Otherwise dumping it is toxic.


We've made tremendous advancements, however, greater ingenuity and safeguards are paramount. Preserving and conserving secures resources for the future

Another example is our healthcare-less system. One-third to one half of this care is wasted today. We all profit from pollution prevention and waste minimization.

Let's invest in our grandchildren's well being.  Once we exercise wise resource use we will change our course from a shipwreck to a dream boat.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Page County Landfill Story

Recently, Ryan Grim’s article “Marvin’s Dirty Secret,” appeared in the October Rolling Stone Magazine exposing how the President’s brother’s waste company went bankrupt. This firm left behind Page County , Virginia citizens to pay a $8.5 million dollars environmental bill. Page County has a population of 24,000 and is a hour-and-a-half drive west of Washington D.C next to the Blue Ridge Mountains . It is also home to a major Virginia tourist attraction, Luray Caverns. Page County has been spent a lot of time dealing with landfill issues . There have been numerous questions of conflicts of interest . It’s as if a huge political football is being kicked around regarding what happened and why over the private operation of one unlined landfill and a mega-landfill recently closed by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VADEQ) for ongoing violations and excessive trash intake . There have been many anomalies in the operation of these Page County landf
Read more

Despair in Repair

Image
Recently I learned that I have prostrate cancer. For many years my dermatologist has been removing this from my skin. In my recovery may I honor each day as my last. My priceless experiences comes from this celebrating what I been given. How better may I address my mortality then to Face Everything and Recover. When I Frick Everything and Run this other FEAR fosters little repair of my despair. It is challenging to deal with what is happening. Climate change profoundly terrorizes me. First addressing my inner conflicts best allows me to accept outer events. My way out of disaster is to triumph by accepting within. When I become more tolerant this attitude of gratitude renews me.  Such a resilient mindset liberates me. Acceptances frees me to whatever circumstances arise.   Fearless insights liberates me from my selfish emotions.  When my deeds and values align I find harmony. Being of greater service also gets me out of my victimhood. Kind acts heals me. Excess egotism le
Read more

Toxic Plastic Waste

Image
The plastics industry for years promoted that plastic was fantastic. Yes, it's a fantastic environmental crime. Contamination in the U.S. is high since many unrecyclable forms of plastic are mismanaged. Seven percent is recovered while 3/4 is lost or buried. The lack of smarter packaging has resulted in today's horrific plastic pollution. For more than 45 years, I have championed marketing secondary materials. I have helped recycle a wide variety of reused products, from tennis balls to motor oil. I have worn many hats to promote secondary end markets. Without finding new economic opportunities for recyclables, it will be discarded. People's plastic waste exemplifies the cost of our foolishness. Tragically, we're seeing this in all aspects of our lives. For example, in the healthcare industry, a third to half is mismanaged. My dad's congressional health care expertise allowed me to observe this tragic waste our ecology determines are well-being.  Remembe
Read more