Earth Day Musings from Allen
As today is Earth Day, I thought I'd poll some people at Allen to see what Earth Day means to them.
Here is a presentation one of our Project Managers, Jen Milner did for a LBT (Lunch Based Training) at how we could help the earth more:
And here is what one of our Graphic Design Leads, David Horrocks, had to say about Earth Day:
Though as an artist, Earth Day and the environment should be more of a concern for me than it is, I have made my attempts. When I painted at home (analog paint and analog paint-brushes…you know…’old school’) , I recycle my water by filtering it through coffee filters or I let the polymer pigment residue rest to the bottom of my container and I wipe it out. Whenever I don’t have a doctor’s appointment or errand in town, I take public transportation which averages out more than 75% of the time. The 2 lights in my house that are on most of the time have been replaced with those newer LED light-bulbs. Being an artist I was really skeptical of the light any LED lights give off. They seemed cold, medicinal, and harsh to me, BUT I found some that gave off a warmer glow and they do the job. Though they are not as energy efficient as LED bulbs, 3 of my rooms (one of which is my studio) have Halogen light fixtures which are still more efficient than the incandescent bulbs.
I know there is probably a lot more I can do…but hey…it’s a start.
Now…..for the reason of Earth Day for me.
Being an artist who has studied painting, who is a sucker for Impressionism, and enjoys painting “plein air” when I get the chance, (that’s painting outdoors), there is nothing so soul-filling, so strengthening, so energizing, than being outdoors. Green grass, blue sky, rushing waters, the sound of nature….it’s all so vital. For centuries it has inspired artists and jolted our creativity. Out there….all of that space and nature – coupled with time has allowed us a place to think, reflect and strengthened many to move on.
Our task is to make sure that the grass stays green, the sky stays blue, rushing waters stay clear and that the sounds of nature are not hushed.
For me, humanity’s nickname is ‘hope’. On this earth of ours, I guess we’ll always have some challenges, pain, and despair but that should not be an excuse to stop trying to solve all that’s around us. At the base of the fountain at Salt Lake Community College, there is a quote by O.C. Tanner: “Life is Problem Solving. A skill can help and art adds beauty.” Indeed….life is problem solving. While some may only see the adversity in that quote, I believe that Tanner’s intention was to emphasize our potential and possibility. When applied to saving the world…that says a lot.
For now, helping the world might start by helping your inner self…Pocket away the iPod, stash the cell phone in a drawer, head for the door, walk out, and take it in. Let your senses rest on the evidence of the Master Artist.
…next step: show gratitude for it by taking care of it.
That is just what one of our co-workers, Eliza Hintze, did. She started a recycling program here at our office. We've also gone to a paperless paycheck system. Is there more that we can do at our office? I'm sure there is, but I like that we are starting to do something. As for me? I am planting my own garden this year, buying locally whenever I can, and trying to be more mindful of when I am using more than my share. I know that many of my co-workers take public transportation, carpool, and plant their own gardens as well. What is your company doing as a whole, or what are your co-workers doing to help reduce, recycle, and reuse?
I'd love to hear about your actions--or even your wishes.
Happy Earth Day.
Here is a presentation one of our Project Managers, Jen Milner did for a LBT (Lunch Based Training) at how we could help the earth more:
And here is what one of our Graphic Design Leads, David Horrocks, had to say about Earth Day:
Though as an artist, Earth Day and the environment should be more of a concern for me than it is, I have made my attempts. When I painted at home (analog paint and analog paint-brushes…you know…’old school’) , I recycle my water by filtering it through coffee filters or I let the polymer pigment residue rest to the bottom of my container and I wipe it out. Whenever I don’t have a doctor’s appointment or errand in town, I take public transportation which averages out more than 75% of the time. The 2 lights in my house that are on most of the time have been replaced with those newer LED light-bulbs. Being an artist I was really skeptical of the light any LED lights give off. They seemed cold, medicinal, and harsh to me, BUT I found some that gave off a warmer glow and they do the job. Though they are not as energy efficient as LED bulbs, 3 of my rooms (one of which is my studio) have Halogen light fixtures which are still more efficient than the incandescent bulbs.
I know there is probably a lot more I can do…but hey…it’s a start.
Now…..for the reason of Earth Day for me.
Being an artist who has studied painting, who is a sucker for Impressionism, and enjoys painting “plein air” when I get the chance, (that’s painting outdoors), there is nothing so soul-filling, so strengthening, so energizing, than being outdoors. Green grass, blue sky, rushing waters, the sound of nature….it’s all so vital. For centuries it has inspired artists and jolted our creativity. Out there….all of that space and nature – coupled with time has allowed us a place to think, reflect and strengthened many to move on.
Our task is to make sure that the grass stays green, the sky stays blue, rushing waters stay clear and that the sounds of nature are not hushed.
For me, humanity’s nickname is ‘hope’. On this earth of ours, I guess we’ll always have some challenges, pain, and despair but that should not be an excuse to stop trying to solve all that’s around us. At the base of the fountain at Salt Lake Community College, there is a quote by O.C. Tanner: “Life is Problem Solving. A skill can help and art adds beauty.” Indeed….life is problem solving. While some may only see the adversity in that quote, I believe that Tanner’s intention was to emphasize our potential and possibility. When applied to saving the world…that says a lot.
For now, helping the world might start by helping your inner self…Pocket away the iPod, stash the cell phone in a drawer, head for the door, walk out, and take it in. Let your senses rest on the evidence of the Master Artist.
…next step: show gratitude for it by taking care of it.
That is just what one of our co-workers, Eliza Hintze, did. She started a recycling program here at our office. We've also gone to a paperless paycheck system. Is there more that we can do at our office? I'm sure there is, but I like that we are starting to do something. As for me? I am planting my own garden this year, buying locally whenever I can, and trying to be more mindful of when I am using more than my share. I know that many of my co-workers take public transportation, carpool, and plant their own gardens as well. What is your company doing as a whole, or what are your co-workers doing to help reduce, recycle, and reuse?
I'd love to hear about your actions--or even your wishes.
Happy Earth Day.
Labels: Corporate Contribution, Earth Day, Recycling
