You can't win...so don't try!

I have always had a different attitude when it comes to saving the environment, global warming, or any of the other plagues that curse our world than most people. I have been conscientious since a very young age. I remember wearing save the planet t-shirts in fifth grade, I love all animals, and have always used my volunteer time for the less-fortunate and homeless. I’ve always felt that we should be aware of problems, do our best to take care of the earth, and be good stewards of all that we have been given, but I’ve also never felt like we could ever overcome all of the problems that overwhelm us. If God intended on humans to be on this earth, then he certainly expected us to slowly deplete the natural resources that he gave us. He must have a master plan that will take care of us as long as we are doing our best.



Most people, or at least the media, scientists, and celebrities do not seem to join me in this view. It seems like every day I hear at least four or five news stories about the newest plague that is going to kill us all. It all bothered me a little until I happened to catch a guest of the Colbert Report’s, Sylvia Earle. She was talks about not eating fish to help restore the ocean. After this I became bothered to the point of realizing there is absolutely no winning!

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If we don’t eat fish, we will eat other more fattening meat that will contribute to the growing obesity epidemic. If we don’t eat any meat at all we will take more jobs away at the ranches and farms with livestock during our tremendous economic downturn. If we become vegan and eat too much grain we will expand the agricultural land stripping our forests and natural habitats which will kill off more animals and endanger more species. This will also contribute to the diminishing ozone layer and cause more global warming. If we only eat healthy food that is more expensive we will contribute to the poverty level, which will drive up homelessness and crime. If we eat fresh produces we cause the immigrant population to rise and lessen our money and food supply. If we eat cheap prepackaged food, we will make more trash that will overcrowd our landfills and seep into the ground where we grow the food. If we don’t create any food at all, we will contribute to the growing hunger problem across the world. If we distribute and transfer food we contribute to the carbon emissions that are hurting the oceans and the fish we are not supposed to eat.


I could go on and on about this. There is not one source of food, energy, transportation, clothing, amusement, or income that does not somehow contribute to or worsen one of our growing plights and disasters of this world. Another example that really bothered me was Cheryl Crow saying to only use two sheets of toilet paper to wipe yourself when you go to the bathroom to help cut down on waste. That just means you either leave the germs on your hands and spread one of the many diseases that terrify everyone or use more water to wash your hands depleting the world of some of the last of the clean fresh water available.


My theory has now become, not to worry about it. Just do what is best for you, be conscious of the choices you make and try and create some balance. Oh, also, turn off the news or at least realize when they are just filling air time with another scary story to get ratings.