April 27, 2007

Look to the Sky, Earth Dwellers

Have you hugged a tree today? If you don't want to have your California citizenship revoked, get out there and wrap your arms around a Coastal Redwood. After all, it's Earth Week. It used to be Earth Day, but since every group from Administrative Professionals to Left-Handed Rose Growers get their own day, the Earth has been given an entire week in which to be feted. Hey, it's a big planet.

I meant to watch "An Inconvenient Truth" this week, but I was too busy enjoying nature. I think Nancy Reagan and I are the only Californians who have not seen Al Gore's award-winning environmental documentary. I know I should care more about global warming, but it really is just too tiresome for words. And the ego! I mean, how self-important is that? To think that we, the current human specks occupying this fragment of the universe, can save our planet by throwing away (oops, I mean recycling) our electric can openers and riding our bikes to work?

Like any good cause in our modern age, Earth has its own web site to plead its case. At PlanetEarth.org you can read about the impending disaster in which we will all either bake to a crisp or drown. You can also blog to your heart's content, and of course, donate. Frankly, I wasn't impressed with the site. I think Earth could use some PR advice.

Like any institutionalized celebration, Earth Week presents an ideal opportunity for retail specials. I noticed that Overstockjeweler.com is having an earth-themed sale on silver and gold earrings featuring man-made gemstones and "nature-inspired" metal replicas of starfish, butterflies, and flowers. In keeping with the theme, no actual plants or animals were harmed during the creation of these accessories, except during the lunch hour at the jewelry factory, where I'm guessing both plants and animals were greedily consumed (oops, I mean recycled).

It may be a coincidence, but National TV Turnoff Week is running consecutively with Earth Week. Are the powers that be suggesting that we turn off the tube and actually go outside and appreciate the fresh air and sunshine? For you parents, it's also National Playground Safety Week, so don't let the kids get too rambunctious when they're out enjoying nature in the park.

This thing is starting to snowball. Everybody wants to get on the marketing bandwagon. Some folks in Florida are promoting another special celebration to coincide with Earth Week - Sky Awareness Week. Now, I'm wondering why they think we lack awareness of the sky. Even those who stubbornly stay glued to the family room couch during TV Turnoff Week must notice that they have to flip on a light when the sky gets dark. Even people who never get out of their fossil-fuel-guzzling SUVs are aware of the sky - it's right outside their windshield.

I'd like to suggest to the organizers of Sky Awareness Week that they purchase on behalf of the atmosphere, the domain www.thesky.org so that future generations of Earth dwellers will know what the blue backdrop is all about. Who knows? With the right buzz, by next year we could have Sky Awareness Month.