Changing Behavior and Making a Difference

I hear a lot about global warming, going green, protecting the environment, etc. Usually, to achieve many of these worthwhile initiatives, we would have to quit using spray deodorants, recycle our garbage, start using public transportation, or turn off the street lights along the beach during the season when the sea turtles are busy burying their eggs. In almost every case we would have to make some sacrifice, or at the very least, change our habits to be good stewards of our planet. Frankly, I’m a little skeptical about how much we as individuals can do to stop global warming. However, I do see some areas where I believe we can have an immediate impact on the beauty and cleanliness of our environment.

Have you ever noticed that our sidewalks are virtually coated with black spots of used chewing gum? Remember the game we played as kids…walking along the sidewalk and trying not to step on a crack. The next time you go into any public place of business, I challenge you to try not stepping on any gum spots. It is almost impossible! I don’t know why we are so inconsiderate of our neighbors by polluting our environment in such a thoughtless and careless manner. But I would suggest that this is one of the easiest places to change our behavior and make a difference in improving our environment.

The answer is very simple. Let’s just keep the gum in our mouths until we can put it in a trash can. Or at the very least, wrap it up in a tissue and put it in our pocket until we can find an appropriate place to dispose of it. If we can’t do either of the above, then maybe we should just quit chewing gum. Of course there are other remedies for the problem. In Singapore you would incur a severe fine and/or suffer the humiliation and pain of caning for such disregard of the public sidewalks and the pedestrians who use them. From my point of view, spitting gum onto the sidewalk makes about as much sense as spitting it onto my living room floor.

Another area where we can change our behavior and improve our environment is to quit throwing cigarette butts on the ground. Not only are they unsightly, there is always the possibility that they can be a fire hazard. Please, use ash trays! Can't find one nearby? No problem. Military drill instructors have long endorsed (quite enthusiastically I might add) the technique of "field stripping" cigarette butts in such situations. If you are not familiar with this procedure, simply tear open the cigarette paper, scatter the remaining tobacco to the wind, and then pocket the filter (if there is one) and paper until you can find an appropriate place for disposal. Of course, the best and most obvious solution is to quit smoking. Not only will this reduce pollution of the air we breathe, it has the added benefit of improving our health.

And finally, is it really that much trouble to put fast food containers, napkins and cash register receipts in trash cans? Here's something to think about. If we wouldn't want our neighbors to throw chewing gum, cigarette butts and trash into our yards, why would we throw it into their yards? Changing our behavior is such a simple act. More importantly, it is the first step in making a difference with regard to the environment we share.