W. Shipp Daniel III October 27, 2000

Over the last two weeks, I have completed a considerable amount of tasks that has improved the world in which we live. Because of the simplicity of those tasks and the importance of doing such things, I did my best in working through my daily routine to attempt to find parts of my life where I could be more helpful to the environment. I found many ways in which I could be of assistance, and I put the more environmentally conscious chores into use. It is amazing to see what can be done in only two weeks.

I began by writing a letter in order to stop the sending of junk mail to my address. I added approximately 35 names to this letter, and that action will save a lot of paper. Americans use 100 billion pounds of paper each year. By stopping the junk mail sent to only 35 people, we helped the environment. The underlying goal in this particular situation was that some of those 35 people would gather other addresses to send off and cease the sending of junk mail to those addresses. That aspect of helping the environment – the aspect of a chain reaction – is one that can be extremely effective if utilized often.

The chain reaction idea can also be used in other environmental protection tasks such as water conservation. I did a few things over the past two weeks that fall under the "water conservation" category. The first thing I did was to make sure I turned off the water at the sink whenever possible. While I brushed my teeth, I turned off the water. While I washed my face, I turned off the water. I did not take long showers, which was an idea that came to mind one day while I was in the shower. Often times I would relax for long lengths of time under the hot water of a shower. Now I try to limit my shower to four or five minutes. Also, washing clothes – something I have to do often – consumes a large amount of water during each wash. Now I make sure that I wash full loads instead of partially full loads. Before getting involved in this project, it was easy to take things for granted, such as water. We seldom appreciate what is plentiful and easy to obtain, and what could be more plentiful than water? To get water all we do is just turn on the faucet 24 hours a day and it's there, ready to use. The chain reaction idea surfaces when we think of how we can spread these ideas. By simply informing friends of these environmentally friendly tasks, we can help the earth a great deal.

Over the past two weeks, I have not done everything I possibly can to help save the earth, but I have certainly made improvements to many areas of my life in that regard.

My goal is to continue making improvements and live my life more and more as an environmentally friendly citizen. There are so many simple tasks in which people can partake that would make a great difference in saving the earth – a goal that is so very important. In Numbers, Moses says, "Do not pollute the land where you are." A form of pollution is lack of action. We should all partake in helping our earth. We live on one earth, and this is the only place in which we can live. We should all do what we can to save the earth, not only in two-week periods, but throughout our lives, in every area of our lives.