Anti-wasters unite! Better yet, stay home and save the gas...

I've always hated terms like "environmentalist" and "activist." For me, those are loaded terms that carry with them issues of wealth, nationality and education. 

 I have met many "environmentalists" and "activists" during my university career and, although I can't vouch for all of them, many I found were idealistic because it was the new fad and they could afford to be; it isn't difficult to attend a weekend protest when you don't have a job to go to. It's easy to drive an environmentally friendly car when you have the resources (or if your parents have the resources) to do so. It's harder to use less water when no one is watching, hard to pack a lunch or wear a sweater and turn the thermostat down. 

The environmentalist movement, for me, has become one associated with status and wealth. It has now become the "in" thing to go green and you see ads representing this trend (e.g.. car commercials, etc). 

This trend bothers me because, although on the surface environmentalism can be a relatively easy band wagon to join (start recycling for example), I think many people are missing the point. People aren't thinking of why and if they are, it's the wrong why.

Thus, I have decided to label myself as an "anti-waster."

This term for me embodies what environmentalism is meant to encompass, but without the baggage. I'm a firm believer in doing the best you can with what you have. I think true environmentalism takes thought and commitment. It shouldn't be as easy as buying the organic fruit in the supermarket. People should be gardening, taking shorter showers, reusing their sandwich bags, using a travel mug etc.

It's the little activities done in the background that ad up and make a difference, not the big, public things. 

I want people to think about what they're doing and why. Everything you do, how you live, how you define yourself should be because you know it's right and have figured out WHY it's right.

You shouldn't define yourself based on the opinions of others or in search of self gratification.

I guess in short my whole point is that you shouldn't be an environmentalist because you want to feel good about yourself or because you want to be trendy. It shouldn't be about showing off to others or getting pats on the back for recycling.

I think everyone should be an ant-waster because it makes sense. You shouldn't leave the light on because it wastes power and costs someone time, effort and money and uses up resources for no reason.

So be an ant-waster, but be one for the right reasons...