WALL-E

Yesterday, my family went to see the movie WALL-E. My husband had read good reviews of it and my daughter is finally old enough to enjoy the theater. It seems that this season there are quite a few good movies out for kids. Although WALL-E seems to fit into this category, I think it would be better to classify it as an adult movie in cartoon form. For, although the cute characters are appealing to the young, the storyline, subtleties, and message of the movie are aimed at an older audience. The environmental moral is one that every gardener will appreciate.

WALL-E is the first of its kind -- as far as I know -- a sci-fi full length feature digitally animated movie. The film medium allows the storytellers to open their imaginations to show things that would not be easily achieved in a film with live actors. The gist of the story is that humans have polluted the earth so that it is no longer habitable. In about 100 years from now, they send off a large spaceship filled with people. These people set off to enjoy a five year vacation while the planet is cleaned by robots. Instead, the company charged with the task (the one that seems to have created the problem in the first place and seems to be working with the government) cannot achieve its goal. Humans float around in space for 700 years. One robot (WALL-E) remains, trying his best to clean up the planet, compacting and making skyscrapers of garbage. One day, a probe robot is sent from the human ship to see if any sign of life remains on earth. The new model robot meets WALL-E. They discover a lone plant that has survived despite the noxious conditions.

The probe brings the plant back to the ship and humans must decide what there next move is. They have all "evolved" into blubbery beings, having lost bone density in space and relying solely on technology to survive. They don't walk, instead propelling themselves with wheelchair like devices. They don't interact with other humans face-to-face, relying instead on monitors to communicate with others. They don't eat, sipping drinks for sustenance. It is a bleak picture of a future that struck me as not too far from where we could be heading. The WALL-E character serves to re-humanize them, showing a warmth that seems dichotomous to this mundane future existence. The thread of emotion through the film makes it all the more special.

The environmental message is thrust at you, but the clever storyline keeps it from being overwhelming. I was struck by the value of the lone plant, how much it was appreciated after humans thought they had lost all plants for good. The symbol of this lone plant representing a troubled planet resonated strongly with me. While, my husband and daughter focused on the robot characters and identified strongly with the human emotions they exuded, I felt myself identifying most with the message of the plant. WALL-E has something for everyone. I think it will become a classic and is certainly a must-see movie for our time.

My Chemical Free Life

On my road toward finishing "Silent Spring" and moving on to a funny book (as so ordered by handsome husband), I'm still getting more intense. Anyone who reads my blog regularly (hi mom and Gail!) knows that I was startled by the chemicals in our environment that Rachel Carson first wrote about in the 60s. I am very health conscious. As a person with celiac disease and extensive food intolerances who must watch her diet intensely, I am very aware of what is in my food. What I didn't pay as much attention to was what chemicals were surrounding me.

I gardened organically, but sporadically added chemical fertilizer in addition to organics. (Doesn't make much sense does it?) I spent a good portion of last summer getting rid of an invasive weed using Roundup. I hoped that it didn't affect the surrounding trees, but I didn't really give much thought to what I was really doing. I have skin trouble and tried every product on the market, EXCEPT the organic ones. I have used chemical laden makeup all my life, dye my hair, and use mass market soap. I have one foot in the natural world and one foot where it doesn't make sense for me to be. For example, I love aromatherapy with essential oils. I use my essential oil warmer every day. As others plug in their coffee, I plug in the essential oils. But I also use Glad plug-ins. I use natural cleaners, but haven't made a complete switch yet. I started using them about two years ago. Why didn't I get rid of the Comet in the process? I use natural hand soap in the downstairs bathroom, but not upstairs. My daughter's hair conditioner is organic, but not the shampoo. What was going on with me?!

So I am making the switch. The Comet is gone and I'm slowly cleaning out the other chemicals in my closet. My naturopathic doctor referred me to the cosmetics database to find more appropriate products for my new "chemical free" life. I've started using a natural face wash and my skin is already much clearer. (I don't know if it will stay this way because honestly my face tends to do okay and then get worse, but this has got to be better on so many levels anyway.) I'm switching over all the soap and even bought new laundry detergent.

For the most part, I am not yet driving my husband crazy. (Hi Kevin!) He doesn't know about the complete switcheroo. It hasn't hit him fully yet, but I'm sure he has an inkling of what's going on since I ordered the cancellation of the lawn service. I'll leave his personal things for last. What is driving him a little crazy is that I complain every time a commercial or media promo comes on tv. For example, "Do you have [insert medical condition here] then talk to your doctor about [insert chemical here.]" If you are American, that line is very familiar. This morning I heard this new promo, "10 vaccines adults NEED to get. No. They are not just for kids" I propose this blanket statement. "Need to eat? Eat our crap..." My darling husband now holds the controller and fast forwards over the commercials as fast as he can.

(After my recent postings I have to add this caveat - On the good side, there are a lot more "alternative" products out there too and I come across at least something every day promoting green living, but my husband is afraid of those other commercials and my reaction to them. Our view of our products is changing, but it is a slow process. Someone needs to get a foot in the door and push it way open.)

When I first came to NH to attend the University here, I looked strangely at the "crunchy" people in Birkenstocks. Now I know better. I still don't jive with the fashion sense (sorry if you wear Birkenstocks, they are just not my taste,) but I do jive with the message. I also want to point out that I have not lost a sense of reality. There is a need for chemicals... sometimes. I just don't need them in every nook and cranny of my house. I have found that cleaning my floor with vinegar and water works better than the chemical stuff. When there is a need for a chemical to do a job, I am not totally opposed to it, but I plan to think long and hard about its place in my life and will work to find alternatives. (The hair dye might have to stay for example! I haven't found a suitable substitute yet and as more grays pop out every day...gray doesn't suit me. I don't even wear gray clothing.)

Long live planet earth and cheers for a major step toward helping myself live a Cancer free life.

There is No Room for Ego Here

Alternate Title: Why We Need a Global Earth Day
This posting continues the comments thread from my April 22nd posting about Earth Day... (Thank you Esther for your provocative insight on my posting)

I have been told that non-Americans would find it hypocritical if Americans pushed Earth Day on the rest of the world. But to preserve nature and save our environment we must unite globally. The biggest offenders of polluting the earth must be brought into the fold somehow. I think a global Earth Day is one way to help achieve unity.

We will come against opposition as we already have over and over again. Many say that you have come together and not "everyone is on board." Throwing hands up in disgust or finger pointing will never solve anything. I think it was famed author Sylvia Boorstein who reminded us that we would not hit our friend if she turned on us. We would try to calm that friend, seek to understand her and try to help her see our way. We should see our fellow man as "friend" and treat disagreements with the same sense of compassion for all humanity.

Nature reminds us to unite with our fellow humans, recognizing that all of humanity has a similar basic interest -- to exist without suffering. When I am physically close to nature, it helps me realize that I am a small part of a whole intricate existence. It does not matter that I am an American. Ethnocentricity has no place here. It does not matter how much money I make or what my religion is. My personal preferences are unimportant. We are all the same on the very inside. No one person is better than any other. We are all part of the natural world and need it to be a healthy place for our very own survival. Keeping this in mind, I recognize it as my responsibility to help preserve the natural world to help sustain humanity and all living things. I can only do my part and perhaps gently help others recognize their role too. (Of course, this is my ideal. I try to be open-minded, but often forget this ideal and form prejudices. But this is what I strive to remember at all times.)

I understand if you don't want to sit around in a circle, holding the hands of strangers with love beads around your neck...I'm too cynical for that myself. But please make an effort to open your mind to the fact that you have something in common with those different from you. Perhaps you can spread your view by gently explaining it, bonding with other like minded citizens to convince those who seem like adversaries. I often give up trying to explain something, only to come back to the subject when the time is right. For Americans, the time is right now. There are many who are willing to listen about the environmental cause. Holding past gripes and pointing fingers about unsigned treaties and ill-practices will not win hearts. And this issue is too important to give up on convincing others.

Not everyone has my same point of view on many issues that are important to me. It is sometimes hard to come to terms with this. We often see ourselves as better than others because of the labels we've given ourselves or because of gross generalizations about people who appear different than we are. We seek to blame others. We seek to fight with others. We seek to impose our way. Governments can hinder movement in a positive direction. Citizens might be apathetic. The only important truth is that we are all part of nature and we can only survive by relying on each other. We must find a way to work with others to acknowledge our interdependence.

I have found one "theory" helpful. In Buddhism, the ego is something to be dispelled. Buddhism emphasizes the harmony of all living things together forming a whole. Since I am not a Buddhist teacher, it will be hard for me to explain this...but the mission of a Buddhist is to let go of the ego, to understand that whatever we feel or believe is just a perception and not reality. Our selves are only shells housing a spiritual essence or an energy. This energy seeks to be united with the universe and this state can be attained through enlightenment. I like the idea of this positive energy that helps make the universe go around.

The more positive energy we emit, the more we can affect others. Think about when you are happy. The mood often spreads to those around you. If you are unhappy, someone who offers you a little cheer can lift up your own mood. If you have a good idea, you win more people over with a positive push. As a mother, I am sensitive to the fact that convincing my daughter that my idea is hers is more likely to make her act. To get my daughter moving this morning I chose this tact: "Honey, remember the deer we saw in the woods last time. Wasn't he cool? Do you think he might be in the woods again on a beautiful day like today? Shall we go see?" I knew it would work better than: "Honey, we're going for a walk. Mommy could use the exercise and you can too!"

In the garden, I can see my connection to nature, all living-beings, and this unique energy more clearly than I understand it anywhere else. I think anyone who is introduced to gardening and induced to take part would feel it too. But it doesn't really matter how one is introduced to the concepts of caring for the environment. Perhaps you are moved by a nature television show. Perhaps getting your hands in the dirt tickles your fancy. Perhaps a highway strip of wildflowers wakes you up to nature's presence as your drive into work. Perhaps a large scale celebration such as Earth Day opens your mind. No matter what the thing that helps you shed your ego and recognize the magnificent importance of nature, kudos if you have gotten there. If some of us can step outside and smell the fresh air to understand their connection to nature, great! Others may need fireworks and rock bands singing about nature's beauty in an Earth Day celebration. We must all respect that if we are to save this earth and ourselves. There is no room for ego here. We must recognize our interconnectedness and our interdependence.

Do we have time to influence others through patience? Perhaps not, but we also may not have a choice. The Dalai Lama has already waited 50 years to help the Tibetans. Through non-violence, love, patience and compassion, it seems he has convinced the world of the righteousness of the cause of the Tibetan people. Fighting, arguing, holding grudges and prejudices won't change hearts in the long run. What we need today is long-term change. We need to offer realistic alternatives to what is an ingrained way of thinking for many. The proliferation of renewable energies, organic food, and natural cleaners in the United States is a positive sign. Political action groups, National Public radio programs discussing the environment, and documentaries about global warming are furthering the dialogue. Join the dialogues and get the positive energy growing. There is no room for ego here, but there is room for you to share what you know in a compassionate way to further the cause.

A global earth day that acknowledges what different countries do to assist the environment, shares knowledge about sound environmental practices, and presents facts has a place now in America now. "Every day is Earth day," but one special day to emphasize it can only move us in a positive direction.

"Read a comedy will ya?"

This morning my husband said to me, "When you are done with this book would you please read something funny?!"

His comments came after I announced to him that I think humans are stupid...I guess that's not a nice thing to say huh? But I do lump myself in with the group. So, why do I think we are all stupid? It's not totally our fault. I think in part we've been duped. We are slowly destroying our world by the things we do without giving it a second thought. I, for one, never really thought to give some of the things I do a second thought.

So, what am I now reading that brought me to the humble realization that I and most of the rest of my country is made up of stupid people? "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carlson has opened my eyes. This is something I should have read twenty years ago. Every high school student should be required to read it.

Before this book I read "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" by Barbara Kingsolver. Kingsolver's book makes a great case for buying local organic food, perhaps even growing your own. She convinced me to look a new way at my food purchases. But seeing as I am originally from NY, cynicism is in my bones. (Is that another terrible thing to say? Just how many people am I willing to offend today?) Kingsolver's tone rubbed me wrong at times. I agreed with her, but still wanted to say, "Would you get off your high horse lady?!" The book is worth a read, but be prepared to disagree with some of it.

Back to the Carlson book. Carlson's book is acclaimed for having started "the environmental movement" in the 60s. Carlson was a trained biologist and writer who was very concerned about what large chemical companies were (are) doing to the environment. She writes in a gentle style, telling it as it is, not "getting on a high horse." Her language is simplistic, so even the non-biologists can understand it. I am appalled by example after example of ways we tampered with the environment without considering the consequences in the mid-twentieth century.

More than that, the book made me start thinking about the environment today. Do I really know anything about the chemicals I use? The pesticides and fertilizers, the dish soap, the makeup? How do I know if I should believe that it is safe, even when it says so? How do I know the Roundup I used to kill the invasive weed last year isn't now in my well water? How stable is that chemical? Does it dissipate or will it now be around forever? How healthy is the soil where I plan to grow organic vegetables this year? Will they really be organic after the lawn service was here last year and who knows what happened to this land before I moved here? Beyond global warming, our planet is in danger from the inside out. If we kill the good organisms in our soils, if we pollute them with chemicals beyond repair, we will have no food to eat and water to drink. It would take millions of years for our bodies to adapt to the changes we are causing in the environment. And we wonder why so many people are getting cancer today...we wonder why so many people have food intolerances and this disorder and that disorder.

So, all this thinking is a far cry from my training as an archivist (a person who works with historical records.) I never thought I would become an environmental activist. I attended earth day rallies, composted, and cleaned up garbage in my neighborhood, but now I've heard the call to do more. I think I'm declaring it today. I am an activist. I will seek organizations to support with my time and will use my vote to save the earth and my daughter's future....then I'll go read a funny story...

(I also promise that I'll post pretty pictures tomorrow)