After being obsessed with the outcome of the next election for several months, now that it's getting closer I'm thinking about what happens after its over. No matter who wins, there has to be more to do to Make The World a Better Place than throwing down a name every few years. I mean, maybe I can't decide who wins the elcetion, but there's gotta be plenty I do have control over...
So far, what has been coming directly to mind about areas I can improve has been...
Energy. Plenty people can do to limit energy consimption, and it basically saves them money to take these steps. Lots of simple stuff like turning off lights, or trying to buy Energy Star products. Shorter showers, moderate use of heating/cooling....
My local power company has apretty good guide about steps to take, actually.
In terms of charity, I'm pretty well convinced that the big brother program would be the best place to give time. About giving money I have a lot more doubts though. There are so many causes to choose from, and I'm also a little paranoid about how much of my money actually ends up getting to the intended recipient for some really big non-profit organizations. Gut instinct is "feed the starving kids in Africa," but I wanna make sure I get at least some ideas about what all is out there.
Also is a lot of power in choosing which companies to support as a consumer. I definitely don't want to be buying meat from the overcentralized factory farms, for example. And I always hear talk about identifying where your clothes are manufactured...I think I understand where the idea comes from, but I don't think I have a detailed enough understanding of all the issues surrrounding it...I've been pretty dismissive of the "it costs american jobs" side.
So yeah. Basically, and advice on these areas appreciated. Comments about any other areas about where people can/should be acting on their own to improve things appreciated.
So far, what has been coming directly to mind about areas I can improve has been...
Energy. Plenty people can do to limit energy consimption, and it basically saves them money to take these steps. Lots of simple stuff like turning off lights, or trying to buy Energy Star products. Shorter showers, moderate use of heating/cooling....
My local power company has apretty good guide about steps to take, actually.
In terms of charity, I'm pretty well convinced that the big brother program would be the best place to give time. About giving money I have a lot more doubts though. There are so many causes to choose from, and I'm also a little paranoid about how much of my money actually ends up getting to the intended recipient for some really big non-profit organizations. Gut instinct is "feed the starving kids in Africa," but I wanna make sure I get at least some ideas about what all is out there.
Also is a lot of power in choosing which companies to support as a consumer. I definitely don't want to be buying meat from the overcentralized factory farms, for example. And I always hear talk about identifying where your clothes are manufactured...I think I understand where the idea comes from, but I don't think I have a detailed enough understanding of all the issues surrrounding it...I've been pretty dismissive of the "it costs american jobs" side.
So yeah. Basically, and advice on these areas appreciated. Comments about any other areas about where people can/should be acting on their own to improve things appreciated.
