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  nce again that arbitrary date recognized
as New Year's eve has come and gone, and ritual dictates that
resolutions be made. I'm sure some folks resolved to give up
smoking, drinking, and other assorted vices which is nice in
a superficial sort of way. I suggest we go deeper than that when
making promises.
 Resolutions
are easier to keep when there is more riding on the outcome than
squeezing into the latest fashion, or bowling the perfect game.
Resolutions should be larger than one's ego; otherwise, what
chance do you have of keeping them? Most people have no problem
lying to themselves, as self delusion is a main tenet of the
American way. If you doubt this you need only look at the damage
done to San Diego's environment in the name of progress.
Protecting
the environment requires considerable resolve. Last year I actually
kept the one resolution I made. It was easy, rewarding, and a
great excuse to play in the dirt. I planted oak trees -- twelve
to be exact. Planting twelve indigenous trees may not seem like
a big deal in the larger scheme of things, but it worked for
me and future generations will enjoy the shade. Everybody wins.
So to help
readers shift gears and broaden the scope of their resolutions
I have decided to suggest several that, like the planting of
12 oak trees, may seem inconsequential at first, but when carried
out go a long way to help heal our tattered planet.
I hope everyone
will attempt at least one of the earth friendly resolutions.
I suggest including them all in your plans for 2001 to achieve
the utmost in positive vibrations.
At the top
of my resolution list is the one to drive less. According to
transportation reform specialist Kate Alvord, "more than
a quarter of US car trips are one mile or less, and 13.7 percent
are an easily walkable half-mile or less." In a nutshell,
this means US residents miss 123 million chances to walk instead
of drive every day. That's a lot of pollution making its way
into our lungs. The best way to ease yourself into this pledge
is to replace at least one car trip a week with a walk. Bicycles
are another alternative to driving that will help reduce what
ails us.
Of course,
I will roll over last year's resolution. This year, however,
instead of planting coastal live oaks, quercus dumosa
is the species I plan to focus my restoration efforts on. As
an advocate of environmental sustainability, I will also continue
my personal jihad against the planting of invasive nonnatives.
In fact, three trees in my yard have already received eviction
notices and will not survive to spring. The power is intoxicating.
Next on my
resolution list is to phase out the use of paper made from trees.
This will not be easy because society at large has decided trees
have worth only when processed for human consumption. The amount
of trees we throw away as disposable biology is no longer acceptable.
Now is the time to start paying attention to where paper comes
from. Canceling subscriptions to the daily newspapers that litter
the doorstep every morning was just the beginning.
Trees make
it possible for us to breathe, without healthy forests ecosystems
life as we know it will come to an end. Hemp and kenaf are better
sources of paper. They are better for the planet as they are
crops that can be harvested yearly, and they can be grown by
private citizens for their own paper needs. If people had to
make their own paper I'm sure they would use a lot less of it.
The biggest challenge will be to find a source for hemp toilet
paper.
One resolution
that I suggest for others that I no longer need to worry about
is to avoid the dreaded super-size. From McMurder french fries
to Big Gulps from 7-11 and urban assault vehicles from Ford,
America must learn to curb their appetites before it becomes
impossible to save our fat masses. Overconsumption on the part
of Americans is more damaging to the planet than anything else
facing humanity.
Coupled with
reducing consumption, a renewed resolution to recycle absolutely
everything is needed. As a personal mandate composting should
be embraced by every household. Self-mulching yards and parks
could easily be achieved. Products should be designed with 100%
recycling in mind. If it can't be recycled, it should not be
manufactured. Let's visualize an America where landfills are
obsolete. Sustainability requires no less. 
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