None of us really know what our legacy will be, but Chris Farber is betting not all of it will be good.
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When my life ends, I wonder what my legacy will be? I think some people will know I was here. I have written a lot of content that is out there on the Internet for people to read. I also have a big network so I think there will be more of me for some time.
Who knows? Apparently I won’t.
The estimated 12 thousand water bottles I used in my lifetime will end up in the ocean and landfills. They will take 450 years to decompose, so my legacy will be continuing for some time.
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It is likely my impact on the earth and future generations will be because of what I left behind. The estimated 12 thousand water bottles I used in my lifetime will end up in the ocean and landfills. They will take 450 years to decompose, so my legacy will be continuing for some time. The bottles that get recycled will become something else. Another person will use this product before they throw it away or reuse it. Recycling will keep things going and a little bit of me for hundreds or thousands of years.
The estimated 2000 tons of CO2 I emitted into the atmosphere will combine with the CO2 of everyone else. The CO2 has created a sort of thermal blanket over the earth. Over time, the temperature of the earth has and will continue to rise. Just a little bit of me for thousands of years to warm things up.
Some 1.2 trillion gallons of untreated sewage ends its journey into the ocean each year. An estimated 23 billion gallons of raw sewage makes its way into New Jersey waterways every year as well. |
The glaciers in Alaska will continue to recede and crumble into the ocean. I will have done my part to raise the water levels of our beautiful waterways. I have been to Alaska and seen the glacial destruction. The cruise ship we were on dispensing fuel and garbage into the beautiful water of Prince William Sound. She backed in close so all of us CO2 emitting people could stare in wonder. We gasped in unison as the huge chunks of ice fell into the sea. I have heard stories of surfers who ride the waves created by the falling ice as it impacts the water. I mean really? Do people believe we are not having an impact on the environment?
Some 1.2 trillion gallons of untreated sewage ends its journey into the ocean each year. An estimated 23 billion gallons of raw sewage makes its way into New Jersey waterways every year as well. Some of it will have been mine. The ocean marine life will be living and dying with me both while I am alive and long after I am gone.
Given my driving habits, I will have had to plant eight trees a year to offset the CO2 I pumped into the atmosphere. I checked on a carbon calculator on the Internet. I can’t remember the last time I planted a tree. It may have been the live Christmas tree my wife and I bought when we first moved into our house 21 years ago. I think I am far behind with this effort.
Perhaps I should drive less. I drive 100 miles a day commuting to and from work, so I am not sure that is going to happen. I have bills to pay for electric, gas and other CO2 producing toxins. That will ensure everyone alive right now, and all those who come after me will know I was here.
Americans make up an estimated 5 percent of the world’s population, yet, we use 25 percent of the resources. We’re magnificent at ensuring a lasting legacy. In fact, we’re better than any other country.
The miles I flew to get the free tickets produced about 8000 tons of CO2. I need to plant 60 trees a month to offset that.
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Recently I scored tickets to Desert Trip later this year in October. Wow, six iconic rock bands playing over three days. I am needless to say, excited. I was fortunate to use my frequent flier miles to buy first class seats on our flights to and from Cali. The flights will produce about 130 tons of CO2. The miles I flew to get the free tickets produced about 8000 tons of CO2. I need to plant 60 trees a month to offset that.
We use about 17 million barrels of oil each year to meet the demand for bottled water. Every year around this time there is a story about someone who found a glass bottle on the beach with a message in it. Sometimes they come from France, or from many decades past. Now and again the bottle and note return to the person who launched it from some beach somewhere. This year there are millions of messages floating in our oceans. Each a voice from the living and those who have passed. Each bead of plastic emanated from someone whose legacy will be one word, polluter.
For me, I sense I will be making an impression on the earth forever.
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Resources:
Photo: Pixabay
I was inspired by this young man. http://www.boyanslat.com. I think it is important to try. CF
So what are you going to do about it? Be like a politician, who rants against everyone else, and lives as the most “pollutant” amongst us? “Polluting” is part of life, we will survive, without all the hand wringing. Be responsible, live a personally responsible life, and stop wearing the weight of the world on your shoulders. Realize that humans are part of the “circle of life” too.