Whenever I tell someone I’m lactose intolerant, I remember this funny quote from Chris Rock: “We’ve got so much food in America, we’re even allergic to it…. Do you think anybody in Rwanda is lactose intolerant?”
Obviously, lactose intolerance and food allergies do indeed exist. But I certainly often forget to be grateful for the wealth of options I still have. From organic probiotic soy yogurt to gluten-free “live” sprouted bread to raw kale chips, my local co-op‘s got it all — and I’m pretty much free to buy and eat what I like.
Considering what’s going on in Haiti, and more locally, the fact that nearly 10% of L.A. county residents need food assistance (via LAist), I’m incredibly lucky — which doesn’t actually keep me from bitching and moaning about the organic ketchup sold in plastic bottles, the ridiculously high price of organic raw almond butter ($16 a jar? Seriously?), the inconsiderate fellow co-op member who always ties up her bike on the handicapped parking sign in front of the store, thereby blocking the doorway for anyone in a wheelchair — not to mention making me squish to get past the damn bike! OMG!
That’s why SFGate columnist Mark Morford’s latest piece — “Why are you so terribly disappointing?” made me LOL — and think (via kottke). If you’ve been pissed off and raving mad about all that’s wrong with the environment and the world as you see it, you’ve got to take a break from the anger and read his funny column, which pokes fun at the constant complaining we Americans tend to do:
Global warming? Total effing letdown. Americans are no longer believing in it. Do you know why? Not because the mountains of scientific proof aren’t there. Not because it’s not happening. But because it’s not yet happening to us like they said it would in the movies and those worst-case scenario books. Where are the zombies? The ice forests? Where’s the tidal wave crashing over the Himalayas? I want my goddamn apocalypse, and I want it now….
My God, did you hear that pathetic State of the Union? That guy, that President Obama? Disappointing times a thousand, am I right? What the hell happened to him? Why is he so weak and ineffectual? Why the hell can’t he step up and fix the entire planet in under 400 days like he promised he would, in my dreams and fantasies and impossible liberal grass-fed organic tofu greengasms? Doesn’t he know I put a goddamn bumper sticker on my Subaru for him? I’ve never done that for anyone. Bastard.
All this is to say — Maybe we can share what makes us happy or hopeful about the environment and environmental concerns today. I shared three things that make me optimistic about 2010 — so now it’s your turn to share in the comments!
Before you spout off about why I’m an idiot for feeling hopeful about something so banal and small as a sign encouraging people to bring their own bags, pay heed to what Mark says about comment sections on blogs:
The anonymous comments section of any major media site or popular blog will be so crammed with bile and bickering, accusation and pule, hatred and sneer you can’t help but feel violently disappointed by the shocking lack of basic human kindness and respect, much less a sense of positivism or perspective.
Actually the commenters on this blog are generally awesome; it’s just the commenters on the other blogs I write for that make me bitch and moan. Anyway — let the positive commenting begin –
Photo by gaminrey
I loved that column! It was a great reminder to keep an eye on my own attitudes.
One of my favorite signs of environmental hope is a new glass recycling program sponsored in part by a local brewery. http://www.rippleglasskc.com/ They’ve set up collection bins all over town and the glass is being made into fiberglass insulation. How cool is that?
Comment by Average Jane — February 4, 2010 @ 3:52 pm
10-4 on that Siel! lol…true,all is not gloom and doom. Counting our blessings is one cool thing and eco things and good deeds are spreading faster than ever…Just a refresher,well,actually two:
http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/
http://www.positivenewsus.org/
Bonne nuit Siel! Pascal and his famille…
Comment by Pascal Gillon — February 4, 2010 @ 4:01 pm
I get super excited when I see someone pick up a piece of litter off the ground and put it in their bag or car to recycle later. Silly, I know but I find it terribly encouraging. Also, when people who would never have cared start (sincerely) asking how they can greener. Finally, at the great reforestation works around the work. I have become real fond of http://www.edenprojects.org/ and http://www.plantwithpurpose.org/
Comment by Scott Williams — February 4, 2010 @ 4:49 pm
Oh, I forgot to add a thank you to you Siel for a great article. I believe we have a lot to be hopeful about. Thank you for highlighting a bit of it.
Comment by Scott Williams — February 4, 2010 @ 4:50 pm
I count my blessings frequently. I don’t complain about petty shit when I realize that other people have it much worse.
Comment by Andy S. — February 4, 2010 @ 5:21 pm
I try to look on the bright side of green life instead of freaking out over the newest danger science has discovered. We’ll fix that new danger but it’s not going to take overnight. The skies of London are longer filled with air pollution that we called “fog”.
I get excited when I buy a couple of items in the store and the clerk asks, “you don’t need a bag do you?” Most of the time that happens it isn’t in a store that sells green/organic good.
Comment by Condo Blues — February 4, 2010 @ 8:45 pm
Thanks for the laugh, I will have to find this article! The comments about Obama cracked me up the most! I did put my first political bumper sticker on our car for him-I read in a poll after the election that the most popular figure in history was Obama, followed by Jesus….
I live in Ohio and you just can’t take life that seriously when you live here, or you would never stop being angry. I have high hopes for Cleveland being the Green City on a Blue Lake, and we are gonna make big strides in 2010-or else!
Comment by Robert Stockham — February 4, 2010 @ 9:42 pm
PS-Keep up the good work!
Comment by Robert Stockham — February 4, 2010 @ 9:42 pm
Really funny post! Thanks for giving us the head’s up.
I’ve noticed more people on bicycles recently, which is awesome! Plus I just moved closer to downtown Culver City. While I’m still a slave to my car during the day, I can’t wait to walk to the theatres, restaurants and Farmers Market. Plus I hope to influence my new roomie on making green choices!
Comment by Anne — February 5, 2010 @ 10:25 am
Hahaha! Sounds like Morford is to you what Colbert on my laptop over breakfast is for me. I’m getting my MSW (social work) so I really need to laugh it off sometimes, too.
Comment by Katrina — February 5, 2010 @ 11:06 pm
Average Jane — Interesting program! Was there no glass recycling program in place before?
Thanks for the hopeful links, Scott and Pascal :)
Robert — Green City on a Blue Lake’s a great slogan :)
Anne — Why are you a slave to your car during the day? Any way I can help unslave you? :)
Comment by Siel — February 8, 2010 @ 5:21 pm