Lowering complexity...

I have taught a course the last two years called "Local Choices Global Effects." Today I came across a NYT Op-Ed piece titled "How Green Is My Bottle?" The authors, Mr. Goleman and Mr. Norris write that 'Earth Day is this Wednesday, and all things “green” will be celebrated. But it’s worth asking: how environmentally friendly are “green” products, really? Consider, for example, this paragon of eco-virtue: the stainless steel water bottle that lets us hydrate without discarding endless plastic bottles. Using a method called life cycle assessment, we have evaluated the environmental and health impact of a stainless steel thermos — from the extraction and processing of its ingredients, to its manufacture, distribution, use and final disposal. There were some surprises. What we think of as “green” turns out to be less so (and, yes, sometimes more so) than we assume...."

It helps to lower our life's complexity by using simple rules and sticking to simple living. My grandfather always used to drink water in little clay pots and then returned them to mother earth. Always clean, 100% recycled. When one considers drinking water for a lifetime using one mug, stainless steel or clay, makes sense rather than buying a new plastic one and discarding it every so often. Of course, as more reports of water contamination come to light, the latest one describing the stuff put out by the pharma industry (AP IMPACT: Tons of released drugs taint US water), one needs to be worried sick.