the value of an individual

Recently I have had a lot of messages from our blog readers and radio show listeners regarding their appreciation of the work Dave and I do, the information we share and the support we give to others who are making the world a better place. This has motivated me to focus on the concept of the value of the average individual - as I often say on Conscious Discussions radio, the hero that we are seeking in society is no farther away than the closest mirror.

*** Prize draw deadline this Sunday, May 17th:

Email: LDBRUMMET@YAHOO.COM with “prize” in the subject line by Sunday morning - May 17th for a chance to win one or more of these prizes:

Richard Risch's book: Beyond Mars, Crimson Fleet (science -fiction)
5 science-fiction posters signed by the author
Timothy Fleming's historical-fiction CIA thriller: Murder Of An American Nazi

-- Quote of the Day --

“I think there is also a big misconception among people; there is a lot of apathy out there and there is a lot of people may want to help but just don’t know how. And really right now the best thing that we can do is just talk about it, just communicate. You know I may talk about it with someone who goes and makes a movie out of it. …We just need to realize that, something as simple as communicating to as many people as you know can, that alone can change the world. …It is also a consciousness thing. If we know that we can make a difference, we really can. …That’s how we got into this situation. A lot of people sat back and said ‘its not my responsibility, someone else is supposed to do it – I’m not a member of the government’. But the fact of the matter is we are the government but we’ve moved away from that and I’m hoping that we can get back to that so that we don’t keep getting in this mess.”
~ Brook Kelley - April 7, 2009

Today's quote was taken from a Conscious Discussions talk radio show interview with Joe Palmer - To access this discussion on Photo-journalism & the Unify Organization simply click on the hyper-links here or look to the right for a link to the Conscious Discussions show and select the archived episode from there.

-- The Valuable Individual --

How can we, as individuals, participate in waste management? Because some of us are so overwhelmed with Earth’s problems, we feel that our contributions have no real consequence in the end. For others, social barriers can be an issue. A lady we once knew confessed that she did not want to be seen buying used items or being concerned with power use. She was worried people would see her as cheap – a scrooge – when the family was so affluent. Yet, she was very careful to be seen with recycling bins out on the curb on pick-up day, because that was thought to be the thing to do socially. Now is a good time to put an end to these negative thoughts and feelings of false pride. Waste reduction is not about ego - it is about the health of the planet and of our nation.

Communities would be wise to look at Nova Scotia’s waste reduction success and try to emulate it in their area. With the highest waste reduction rates in Canada, Nova Scotia has reduced landfill contributions by 46% - saving about $31 million per year - simply by making the most of the organic and recyclable materials. Curbside recycling service (Blue Box) is available to 99% of its residents and 76% now enjoy curbside organic service (a.k.a. Green Box).

With better management of organic and recyclable waste, we will find we do not have to put the trash out as often because the odors and volume are greatly decreased. As a fiscal incentive, many garbage collection companies offer discounts to homes with reduced waste.

We can also help the waste management industry run more efficiently. For instance, when only full garbage bags and Blue or Green boxes are put out on the curb, the garbage truck does not have to stop as often and burn fossil fuels inefficiently while idling. (Incidentally, vehicle idling is responsible for 3% of the air pollution problem.) Similarly, by collapsing boxes before recycling we are ensuring that space is used more efficiently, thereby reducing the number of bins needed for transporting materials.

Recycling, alone, has a huge impact on the environment. A study of a 100-unit apartment building practicing maximum recycling found it would save 21.93 thirty-foot trees, 26.86 cubic yards of landfill space, 8,389 kilowatts of electricity, and 77.4 pounds of air pollution in just one year!

So you see, these seemingly small choices and efforts towards waste management really do make a difference.

-- Authors Read Radio --

Freelance writer / editor, Scotti Cohn joins us today on Authors Read Radio. She is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators; her debut children's picture book -- One Wolf Howls -- was published by Sylvan Dell Publishing in March 2009. However, Scotti is far from new to the world of writing, as she is the author of six non-fiction adult titles published by The Globe Pequot Press. Scotti reads her new book on our radio show today! Access the live broadcast at 9 a.m. (pacific) or the archived episode at your convenience, simply click on the hyper-links here or look to the right for the link for the Authors Read Radio show.

Find Dave & Lillian Brummet, excerpts from their books, information about their radio shows & free resources & articles at www.brummet.ca