Push Start a Better World

My dad recently had visiting Olympian Christina Smith snowed in in Saskatchewan after visiting a whole bunch of High School students in the area. As they visited Christina got my dad excited about her new project PushStart.org and somehow convinced her that my brother and I would be good people to contribute to her upcoming book with some simple steps to push start a better world. I would love to hear other people's thoughts on this topic.

In fact, I would love to have anyone with ideas for a better world to share their ideas with posts to this blog or let me know about other places where their ideas are shared or found. My frequency and creativity has waned a bit lately for my blog posts but I am constantly inspired by what I see people doing to bring about a better world in their lives. We all have a lot to learn from each other. I would like to be a part of this mutual learning and action. I will try to adjust my permissions and set up here to facilitate.

In the mean time, here is what we came up with for Push Start, I would love to hear some feedback:
 

Think big and start small; the possibilities are endless! We can all do more to make a difference.

            1.            Think and dream

What is your vision of a better world? What can you do to make it happen? Be ambitious and creative and demanding; this is your life, and your chance.

Question the status quo, question your assumptions and your culture’s: make up your own mind.

When shopping, consider where it comes from, how it was made, and what that means for the people and places along the supply chain. Use your money responsibly; don't just buy what is most convenient. Talk to the people selling things to let them and their suppliers know you care.

            2. Reduce – the first and most neglected “R”

Think about what you actually need, not just what you think you want. You can turn down your thermostat, take short showers, turn off lights and appliances  - and you’ll save some money too.  Drive less, fly less, consume less. Do-it-yourself: sew, scavenge, tinker, create, get things fixed instead of replacing.  Spend more time with friends, neighbors, family, and mother nature, rather than purchasing throw-away entertainment.

            3. Reuse and Recycle

If you are done with something, consider another use; share reusable items with people or organizations that will put them to use (e.g. donate good-quality used clothes and give worn out clothes to a local mechanic for rags). If you are throwing things out, think about where it goes and minimize what goes to landfills; nothing goes "away", there is no such place. Compost. Recycle. Buy things with minimal packaging, and complain when there is excess. Buy used goods when possible (kijiji.ca, craigslist.com, freecycle.org, etc).

            4. Give

Remember all that money you saved with the first “R.” Share it around. Consider giving at least ten percent of your income to charities you support. Check out canadahelps.org for a great list all in one place. Consider a mix of local, global, environmental, humanitarian/relief, long term development, and health organizations. If you invest, invest in socially and environmentally responsible companies.

            5. Act

Give your time and skills too, whether you are drawn to volunteer at a school, hospital, retirement home, park, community work project, shelter/soup kitchen, or other local charity there is always a need and we all have things to share.  If you don't know what to do, DO SOMETHING.

            6. Eat

Buy more local, in season, natural, organic, fair trade certified, unprocessed, sustainable food. Grow a garden, and cook. Share food with others.  Talk to a farmer; know where your food comes from.  Eatwellguide.org  Seachoice.org Transfair.ca

            7. Learn

We live in the information age, so get informed. Watch/read/listen to the news from a variety of sources. Attend educational events and classes. Visit museums. Watch documentaries. Research things you wonder about, and share what you learn. Try to ask one good question per day. Ignorance is only an excuse for the ignorant.

Wikipedia.org

            8. Vote

Learn about election candidates and parties and what they represent. Vote for the community, province, country and world you want your children to live in. In between elections ask questions to your representatives. Care about your world and let them know. Engage in YOUR government.

Parl.gc.ca

            9. Walk

Bike, run, swim, play sports, get active. Take care of yourself and support active lifestyles in your community. Get your friends and family doing the same. Try to drive less. Take public transit.

            10. Love and laugh

A better world should be more enjoyable, and fulfilling for all. Give thanks and celebrate. Support local music, or make your own. Dance. Play.  Live the way you really want to, today.  We are in this together!