Dear Earth,

Since it is your day I wanted to write and let you know the things we’re working on for you, the challenges we’re facing, and what we hope to accomplish in the next year.

Strides are certainly being made in the areas of technology as innovative people and companies seem to be everywhere.  Regardless of their reasons for making the positive changes – money, publicity, common sense, or a sense of environmental responsibility – we thank them for their efforts.

Work in Progress (to name a few):

• Increasing solar panel efficiency
• Increasing fuel economy
• Development of commercial green building techniques and materials
• Development of viable mass market green housing options (I’m working on it)
• Sharing of earth friendly ways to replace harmful and expensive household cleaners

Challenges:

Our challenges persist as many fail to recognize the opportunity at hand and prefer to turn a blind eye to the unnecessary waste, lack of responsibility, overuse of natural resources, and continued destruction of what inevitably sustains all of our lives.  These challenges come in many forms, old and new, and continue to attack the principles, values, efforts, and hopes of the few.  At times we are even undermined by those who say they aim to support you.  We’ve learned that an earth friendly pessimist can do more harm than good, there’s no room for negative mindsets, and there’s power in #’s.  Our environmental challenges won’t go away any time soon as their numbers are many, but that’s ok -it is them that provides the fuel for our passion.

Hope:

On this Earth Day I for one am filled with hope.  More and more people, companies, and even countries are seeing the benefits of an earth friendly lifestyle.  Not only are they reducing health risks to their family and saving money, but also discovering how simple lifestyle adjustments can make a tremendous impact on their environment.  But even more than all the sustainability initiatives, green building programs, and emission reductions, I’m most hopeful because of one thing – our kids.  My 5 year old son brought up climate change in the car this morning.  Man was I proud.  He hasn’t even started kindergarten yet and he already knows about organic gardening, recycling, saving energy, composting, etc…  You never really know if those conversations will stick, but it seems they are.  It is certainly the kids – from kindergarten to college- that are going to be tomorrow’s innovators, business owners and Earth Agents.

© Earth Agents:

I wanted to give a quick “shout out” to all your Earth Agents out there that are going above and beyond the call of duty to educate others, expand environmental stewardship, live & work sustainably, and make a positive impact on the earth and your community.  Here are a few who have stood out to me over the last year.

Kirk Evans – Allen ISD & Eco Teaching Resources (website coming soon)

Mark Hughes – University of Pennsylvania

Anna Clark – Earth People

Luanne Samuel – Connemara Conservancy

Susan Kacines – Allen ISD & Boon Elementary E-Lab

Sharon Goddard – 1 House at a Time

Trey Neville – Worth Helping

Finally, I ask for your help in opening peoples eyes and letting them see the natural beauty all around them.  Help them feel connected to you and make sense of everyday actions – continue to awaken, motivate, and inspire them to accomplish extraordinary things.

In Good Health,

Brett Relander

Tagged as: Brett Relander, Earth Day, recycle, Renewable Energy, sustainability