We must be the change we wish to see

The BP/Gulf disaster was a watershed moment for me. It broke my tenuous belief that companies and governments would generally do the right thing. Clearly no oil company was ready to drill below 5,000 feet, and future leases should reflect that reality. BP has done the world a favor by consistently using phrases like "Never before has this been attempted at depths below 5,000 feet" to reduce the public expectations for positive outcomes. Logically if that is true, then why the heck are we allowing oil exploration to continue below those depths?

"We must be the change we wish to see", said Gandhi. Not only does this point out that change must begin within each of us -- our actions and attitudes must change before we can expect others (companies and governments too) to change. But it also implies that each of us, as an individual, holds incredible power to change the world.

Be the change you wish to be. Turn up your AC temperature this summer, or simply open the windows and use a fan. Change out your lights to more efficient CFL or LED lamps. Drive less. Change yourself first, then demand that our government change its energy policy to one that is clean and sustainable.