My name is Catherine O’Connor. I am a senior at the University of Arizona studying Journalism and Communication. I recently signed on as assistant editor in chief for The Cat Scan, an online eco-magazine that covers “green” issues. During my first meeting with the other editors of the publication I realized I may have bit off more than I can chew when I asked, “what does ‘green’ actually mean?” The other editors threw out ideas including “green eating,” choosing organic foods that produce little waste as a result of excess packaging, to “wasteful energy practices,” leaving lights on at sports facilities or using the TV for background noise. I agreed, these are all topics that the American public can learn more about to make small changes in the right direction. But I left that meeting thinking about the bigger picture. Is the smart shopper who chooses the organic foods with less packaging going to make the difference? I had some thinking to do.
As I pondered “green” ideas for my semester of eco-blogging my mind wandered from the task at hand and began to think about the fabulous semester I spent abroad. While I was day dreaming I thought about my time in Buenos Aires, Argentina and how they think of green issues. I realized that the Argentine culture is fundamentally different than the American culture. Trains, busses and subways are the chosen modes of transportation for the majority of the population. People dig through trash searching for recyclables that can be traded in for cash. Nothing goes to waste, the plates are tiny, the coffee cups are “chiquitito,” and SUV’s are virtually non-existent, yet the “nice air” that the city’s name implies is also virtually non-existent. The murky water bordering the north side of the city is so contaminated Argentines joke that anyone who swims in the water will grow a third eyeball. So, if the Argentine and American cultures are so different, if we value different things why are we both having similar problems?
So, through this day dream I determined what it was that I wanted to write about. I personally believe in the power of a well run democracy. Through legislation and changes implemented by government bigger steps in the direction towards a more “green” nation and world will be made. So, with that I decided what I wanted to blog about. This semester I will be discussing what businesses and primarily government is doing and can be doing to move our city, our nation and even our world in a more environmentally conscious direction.
As I pondered “green” ideas for my semester of eco-blogging my mind wandered from the task at hand and began to think about the fabulous semester I spent abroad. While I was day dreaming I thought about my time in Buenos Aires, Argentina and how they think of green issues. I realized that the Argentine culture is fundamentally different than the American culture. Trains, busses and subways are the chosen modes of transportation for the majority of the population. People dig through trash searching for recyclables that can be traded in for cash. Nothing goes to waste, the plates are tiny, the coffee cups are “chiquitito,” and SUV’s are virtually non-existent, yet the “nice air” that the city’s name implies is also virtually non-existent. The murky water bordering the north side of the city is so contaminated Argentines joke that anyone who swims in the water will grow a third eyeball. So, if the Argentine and American cultures are so different, if we value different things why are we both having similar problems?
So, through this day dream I determined what it was that I wanted to write about. I personally believe in the power of a well run democracy. Through legislation and changes implemented by government bigger steps in the direction towards a more “green” nation and world will be made. So, with that I decided what I wanted to blog about. This semester I will be discussing what businesses and primarily government is doing and can be doing to move our city, our nation and even our world in a more environmentally conscious direction.
Check out some of these links to learn more about green issues and what’s to come.
-White House Energy Information
-White House Environment Information
-Earth Policy Institute
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