Eco Activism | My Five Acres

An Open Letter To Apple CEO Tim Cook on May Day

May 1st, 2012
Jane

Dear Tim, As I sit here writing this on my MacBook Pro, I’m reflecting on the ways Apple has changed my life. During the last decade, barely a day has gone by when I didn’t create or communicate using an Apple product. There’s no doubt that Steve Jobs changed the world. But did he change it for the better? An economist running the numbers on his iMac might argue that he did. But that same economist would be less convinced if you introduced him to the Congolese mother who lost her sons in bloody coltan wars; if he met the African child who spends his days digging through…

Why Environmentalism Is Not A Religion

March 24th, 2012
Jane

I have a confession. It really bugs me when people say environmentalism is “just a religion”. I mean, it really really bugs me. The veins pop out on my neck and my teeth clench so tight my jaw hurts and I have to try really hard not to scream. So I guess it’s about time I figure out why. First, let’s review the “arguments” for eco-theology: Rick Santorum’s barely coherent position Michael Crichton getting things backwards – he claims that environmentalism mimics the Garden of Eden story, but it seems much more likely that the Eden story was inspired by early environmentalists, doesn’t it? This New Atlantic article…

Why Are Environmentalists So Terrifying?

February 19th, 2012
Jane

Have you heard? There’s a new extremist faction on the loose. One so scary governments are issuing warnings, concerned citizens are cowering behind their SUVs, and business leaders quake in their real leather boots. Who are these hideous creatures who’ll stop at nothing to destroy our very way of life? Environmentalists of course. This week, the Canadian government issued a report that made it clear where environmentalists stand in their country. Low-level violence by domestic issue-based groups remains a reality in Canada… revolving around the promotion of various causes such as animal rights, white supremacy, environmentalism and anti-capitalism. That’s right, folks. People who care about animal rights and…

How To Take Action

November 21st, 2011
Jane

Trying to figure out how to be a little greener or live a little better can be mind-boggling at times. For every action you decide to take, there is an argument to be made for NOT taking that action. Want to switch from paper coffee cups to a travel mug? Is it really better, considering how much energy it takes to manufacture a travel mug? Thinking of giving up meat? Are soy products and meat substitutes actually worse for the environment? Switch to an electric car and you’re adding to coal emissions, making solar panels uses non-renewable energy, cutting down on waste seems pointless when industry wastes so…

11 Quick Actions (You Can Do Today) To Save The World

November 15th, 2011
Jane

Psst. Whatcha doing right now? Wasting some time surfin’ the net, huh? Wanna spend a few minutes like a superhero, saving the world? You do? Awesome! Start by scanning the 11 simple actions below. Give yourself a pat on the back for all the ones you’ve already done. Now, think about the ones you haven’t done? Why not? Pick one, throw those excuses out the window, and get going. As a superhero bonus, the actions marked with $$ will save you money, too! Green Action 1: Invest in a Travel Mug $$ My leak-proof travel mug goes with me everywhere. To work, to the beach, and even on…

Nothing But Footprints

November 11th, 2011
Jane

When I was a kid my Dad used to make us go on these crazy hikes. Crazy as in 10 miles of backcountry trails up the side of a mountain in Banff National Park. As the youngest of four kids, I was so little I had to be carried in a backpack. A typical hike would go like this: Sing 50 rounds of A Knapsack on My Back. Play I Spy while looking for forest creatures, birds, and wildflowers. Ask at least 100 times “Are we there yet?” to which my Dad would dutifully reply, “Just around the next bend”. It never was. Stop for lunch. Usually around…

Some People Will Hate You

November 11th, 2011
Jane

Let’s just be honest about this. If you try to do something good in your life, some people are gonna hate you. Who and why? I’m not talking about evil ignorant types who are in the KKK and think Hitler was a super-cool dude. I’m talking about people with a cute little house who take their kids bike-riding in the park on the weekend. Normal people. Nice people. You don’t have to become an obnoxious green freak non-showering wool-sock wearing cliché to inspire their ire, either. You can just go about your business, cutting down on meat, biking to work, installing solar or whatever it is that you…