One person CAN make a difference...

[Two_Sheds]

I am a little weary of being told that my green efforts will not make any difference, that one person's actions can't have an effect. That my decision to support fair trade, organic food and to give up my car would be pointless.
I just don't believe that. One person's actions are important to them, and they may just provide an example for others to follow.
After all, and this is an obvious and cliched example, it was just one woman, Rosa Parks, whose act sparked a boycott of the bus system by black people that lasted more than a year. The boycott raised an unknown clergyman named Martin Luther King, Jr., to national prominence and resulted in the U.S. Supreme Court decision outlawing segregation on city buses. Over the next four decades, she helped make her fellow Americans aware of the history of the civil rights struggle.

My point is, I started refusing to buy caged eggs years ago, and now it seems that finally they are on the way out.

The report Iin The Times) highlighted the growth in the organic and free-range egg sector, now outselling eggs produced by caged birds. The Soil Association claimed that public concerns with battery hen welfare had driven the shift.

[Flummery]

You are right Two Sheds. I never buy battery eggs (or chicken) - I'm lucky to live in a village with a little shop that sells genuine free range eggs from a local farm. However, I'm very encouraged by the fact that younger people (like yourself!) are taking part in these little personal protests too. My son-in-law is very keen on buying organic produce and considers carefully the organic v air-miles conundrums. He buys local produce from the farmers' market when he can. They don't have heaps of money but they prefer to eat meat less often but make it good.

Far better that the younger generation are doing this themselves than that the older fogies like me are trying to nag them into it. You youngsters are leading the way. More power to your elbow.

[bubblewrap]

I agree totally here's one that may tread on a few toes!
Marks & Spencer source some(not all)their fruit grown on the "west bank" on illegally held land
This is causing suffering to the Palestinian people.
While this goes on I refuse to buy anything from Marks & Spencer.

[moggssue]

How can it be a waste of time when it's your free choice, it's your way of life? I don't feel comfortable buying battery eggs, so won't do it. Whether it will have a huge effect on the environment or not, my conscience is clear as far as can be and I feel happier with the choice I have (freely) made. I hope that makes sense and reads the way it's meant!

[everdream78]

I think this whole forum proves that you are not alone in trying to do your bit :-)

One person shouting will not make much noise - thousands of people shouting will make a right racket

If we all shout loud enough, we can make a difference :-)

[Polly Fouracre]

Does anyone remember the Joan Baez song from the sixties"One man's hands?"(Oh,if not I can give you the words)

[Alice]

I think you're absolutely right Two Sheds . I would go with the adage that says if you want to change the world start by changing yourself. All the small changes individual people make add up to a big difference. It's good to hear what other people do so that we know we're not just in a little lonely struggle by ourselves.

[NOG]

Marks & Spencer source some(not all)their fruit grown on the "west bank" anything from Marks & Spencer.

Not wanting to start a policital debate but they would. Cos they are a Jewish company. The would support the Zionist side of the argument.

We all have to look at this world and see the little things that we can do. And Just be happy with the little steps that we can make.

[Snadger]

In the past I have always used organic principles whilst cultivating my allotment ie making sure the land is in good heart with regular additions of organic material and following a crop rotation of sorts. If a plant looked a bit sick I would give it a sprinkle of sulphate of ammonia as a 'pick me up' or apply a non organic slow release fertiliser to save worrying about nutrient imbalance!

NO MORE! This year is my full blown attempt at growing food organically!

By using comfrey,straw,FYM, blood/fish/bone meal,green manure, home made compost and even liquid manure draining out from the bottom of my compost heap I should be able to supply enough nutrients without having to resort to inorganic chemicals.

One of my favourite parts of vegetable gardening is saving my own seed. In the future I would like to be able to plant a whole season's vegetables without buying a seed. By doing this I will be enjoying gardening, preserving heritage vegetables, saving myself a bob or two and hopefully learning a thing or two about the facinating hobby of seed collection. Theoretically by saving the seed from the best of the bunch I will be improving the strains and breeding strains that are suitable for my area too!

[NOG]

We can all do a little its not just being "green" see someone broken down at the side of the road. just stop (keep your doors locked if you are alone) but ask if they are ok. Most times they have called a garage but they may not own mobiles.

One Good deed a day is all it takes. By us all

[Two_Sheds]

Thanks everyone, I feel so much better and less impotent!
If we all ... let's have a think... picked up one piece of litter a day, that would be several million fewer pieces of trash blowing round our streets, into our gardens...

[Seahorse]

Couldn't agree more Two Sheds!

I really hate it when people say it's not worth the bother 'because no-one else does it' or 'because "they" always win' etc.

Have you read Mark Steel's 'Reasons to be Cheerful'? As you'd expect from him, it's very left wing, which I know isn't to everyone's taste but it's a superb book. Part autobiography, part discussion on recent history/politics but mainly a really life-affirming book on how little things really can and do matter!

Claire

[rustylady]

All great things start with one small step, and one person has to have the courage and conviction to take that step. If we all do as much as we can it must improve things, and hopefully others will join in.

[Tigerella]

Hi

It sounds like you are not alone, most on here seem to be of the same mind.

I too want to give up my car, it is difficult, I cannot do it now(I have a 7 year old daughter), but I hope to get there gradually.

Tigerella

[NOG]

Tigerella, You don't have to play the game that way. If you need the car then it is ok to use it. You can save in other ways.

If you are popping down the corner shop and you can...then walk... One Trip Less
Make sure the care is serviced corrrectly...
Turn off all lights in empty rooms.....That counts
Swap the Tungsten bulbs for Energy Saving ones...(and I hat to say it IKEA are the cheapest).....your elect bill is less and you save there.
Recycle all your glass, Plastic, Paper, card, Textiles.
Old working TV don't bin it go to Freecycle.org and let someone else have use of it.

Now just by doing the above you have done your bit and you can still drive your car with pride.