I just returned from a trip to the deep South, which involved several flights, a rental car, hotel/motel stays, shopping for beach-y items, and much dining out. Now I’m shopping for thank you gifts that will be mailed to our gracious hosts. For someone who’s resource and consumption conscious, that’s a big carbon footprint. It’s giving me an up-close-and-personal understanding of why offsets are important. Families are stretched across the miles, work projects take us to all corners, and the value of experiencing cultural differences (including within our own borders) cannot be underestimated.

While in Savannah, I ventured into Ogeechee River Coffee Company, where some tote bags caught my eye. They’re made from coffee bean burlap, but modeled after, “you know, those cool Kavu bags that are so popular.” My interest piqued when I heard the Ballard-based brand mentioned in this small southern city. It was a reminder of just how global we are these days.

Earth Day, too, is a reminder of how global we are, and the abundant resources we have available on planet Earth. It’s a day to both celebrate the planet we live on, but also take heed at how fragile we are. Right now, our eco-systems are out of balance, and the more resources we deplete, damage, or occupy, the greater the possibility of continuing catastrophic events. It’s probably only a matter of time until those of us in the Northwest really feel the impact of the earth’s changes.

The naysayers will continue to proclaim that our weird, world-wide weather patterns and shifting earth have nothing to do with self-inflicted climate change and will continue doing what they’re doing. But I’m game to try and turn that giant ship around with small little actions (coupled, of course, with legislation and enlightened government and corporations… one can hope).

This year, the Earth Day theme is “A Billion Acts of Green.” (To find a work party, event, or celebration, enter your zip code.) At last look, over 102 million acts were posted on the site, from tree plantings and clean up events to finding alternative energy sources and hang-drying laundry. While there are big pressing issues that we can’t control, influence, or change, we can each do our part. It’s an impressive list, filled with ideas we can choose to do every day or any day. Maybe take a look to see if there’s anything you can add to what you already do.

Some say every day is Earth Day. For me, Earth Day is kind of like New Year’s Day. It’s a day to think about what changes I can make, vow to do a bit better, and maybe note a little of what I’m thankful for.

This Earth Day weekend, I’m putting together my emergency preparedness kit. Like they say when you fly, you can’t help anyone else if you don’t put your own oxygen mask on first. While I hope our Northwest section of the Ring of Fire stays dormant and our fault lines stable, I’d rather be prepared than surprised. (For those who would like some help, Sustainable Ballard‘s monthly meeting on the 25th is on disaster preparedness.)

On a more upbeat note, here’s something I’m thankful for. If you’re fashion minded, we have options now. A year or so ago, I picked up a stylish pair of boots with soles made from recycled tires at Ballard’s chic boutique, Kick It . Market Street Shoes sells the Simple brand (among other great options). Organic cotton can be found in mainstream stores, including the Ballard Fred Meyer (imagine that!), and repurposed clothing by local fashion designers is getting better and more plentiful – all a fast-forward fashion step from the unflattering styles of yesterday’s ‘earth-friendly’ hippy attire. I know it makes more sense to have less, but for those “must have’s,” it’s somewhat conscious-calming to find more planet friendly duds. That repurposed burlap, Kavu-styled bag would’ve looked great with the boots… but I didn’t.

One last thing to leave you with. There’s an essay making it’s way around the Intertubes and blogosphere that really struck me. It’s an eye-opening look at how much we’ve come to desire something for everything (do most of us really need electric can openers? A rice cooker? A food processor, a mixer, and smoothie maker, all on one countertop?), and really, how little we need. I love technology and all the miracles in our lives because of it, but it made me think about my grandparents, even my childhood, and how differently we live our lives today. I won’t repeat it word for word, but you can find it if you search, “the green thing.”

In short, it’s a story of an older woman apologizing for not having “the green thing” back in her day. A day before plastic bags, and when empty beer, milk, or pop bottles were returned for re-use instead of tossed in the trash or recycling. When exercising on an electric-powered treadmill at a gym wasn’t necessary because people walked everywhere, or at least, took the stairs, and mowed their lawns with a push mower. Clothes were hung to dry, not flung about inside an “energy gobbling machine burning up 220 volts.” Homes had just one TV or radio, not one in every room, and the screens weren’t “the size of the state of Montana.” Few electric conveniences in the kitchen, and no Styrofoam or bubble wrap for shipping – just wadded up old newspaper. No bottled water then – a sip from a public drinking fountain worked just fine. Pens were refilled (do you know how many of these end up in landfills every day?), razors replaced, and knives were sharpened.

Enter the modern age and a throw-away culture. I know I can think of a lot of things to add to that list. You, too?