Being older than Earth Day, I truly appreciate this global celebration as a planetary new year. Although not part of my school curriculum, stewardship was an integral part of my daily life. Growing up we exchanged produce and plants from various networks—citrus and caladiums from aunts in Florida; peaches, melons, beans, tomatoes, squash and corn when in season on family farms; fish from local ponds; beef and pork raised by an uncle. With this background of weeding, picking, and preserving, I am perplexed about the “discovery” of gardening.
Today, much of my reading and all my work centers on sustainability, so I’m surprised when a dinner companion asks if I think business has any interest in “all this green stuff.” Equally disturbing reminders are claims of being greenest in the world that echo across social networks. Fortunately these boasts do not go unchallenged, the Grammar of Green monitors are at work detecting greenwashing.
Earth Day offers an annual benchmark to reflect on what can be accomplished through our conscious choices and how we influence others. Being aware and making an effort are steps worth taking toward becoming better stewards. Take action this Earth Day and make the next year one of accomplishments worth noting in 2010.
“When you’ve finished washing and dressing each morning, you must tend your planet.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince, 1943