Needish

Renato

well, i promise to recycle...
hehe

Emily

My boyfriend and I were talking a couple nights ago about trying to find vegetarian recipes to eat meat-free at least twice a week. I realize that's not anything special for a lot of people, but hey, it's a start!

And it'll be a long time until I buy another car, but my next car will definitely be hybrid or some other non-gas alternative.

wildflower1976

I promise (I already do) to save water when possible and use less plastic bags

Oskar

I will buy less plastic bottles starting now.

Phil

Many drops do make a river, but we need an ocean and we need it soon. I think the idea that the voluntary efforts of many (hybrids, recycling, buying less) are nice, but we are deluding ourselves if we think that is an actual solution to the challenge. The best you can do as an individual (from a consumption sense) is to never have existed in the first place. The key in making a real difference is changing the consumption patterns of the many. In that sense, the only weapons you have are your vote and your voice. Instead of recycling that bottle, write a letter to your congressman promising your next vote to the candidate who "gets it" most. Get your friends to do the same.

The only viable solutions will come from up top (massive technological investment, carbon tax). We of the Web 2.0 era like to believe in the voluntary power of community. We can write a damn good encyclopedia. We can rush to serve each other's needs. But we are not going to stop global warming in its tracks ourselves.

So definitely recycle. Definitely buy that hybrid! But don't stop there and think you've done your part. Yell! Scream! Shout! Chastise! Be an impact multiplier!

My promise is not to reduce my personal consumption (although I'll try). My promise is to help create a world where others are incentivized to reduce their consumption.

Helperman

I will help you to save the world!