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Today’s Voices
We invite you read through these visions of a future when society embraces the connections between health and environment, and to add your voice to the conversation.
A
Middle class, suburban living- country raised, educated, stay at home mom trying to not be trampled by the accepted norm; trying to be the change I wish to see in the world. Hoping I’m giving back enough before my turns up.
Age Range
26-40
My Vision
A healthy human population would understand what ‘enough’ is. A healthy human population would understand what being ‘happy with enough’ means. I don’t know many well-rounded happy people who have enough. I know people that are happy with items they own, numbers in their bank accounts and investment accounts. I know people who try to keep up with their neighbors or try to always be the first ones to buy the newest marketed item. I know lots of people who want more than enough – including myself at times. If we could be a healthy population who looked inside at what really inspires us as individuals and let that drive us, instead of the voices of greed/ pressures from family and friends/ advertising/ money… Who could we be as a larger people? If we take back the energy we spend on striving for more than enough it would equal more time in our daily lives for what’s really important to each of us as individuals. It’s not about being satisfied with the status quo or a static minimal amount. It’s about individualizing our needs so that we are not wanting more than enough just because that’s what everyone else is doing or just because we can. Could we be more understanding towards each other, more kind, because we’re no longer in competition for another’s dreams? Would we have more energy and time to strike a balance within ourselves, and our world? If we could be happy with ‘enough’, a feeling of satisfaction instead of over-indulgence and ever wanting more, we could shift our pyramid of needs. We could re-define our list of wants and needs. This trickle could become a wave of change. When you individualize your world you tend to not just walk through it but to be a part of it… You connect with yourself, your loved ones and the world around you in a different way. You feel yourself being the change. Accepting that the word ‘enough’ is not a four-letter word is something we can all do as individuals and it can bring us together as a populace, a country, and a more ‘human’ species.
If people can market a pancake wrapped around a sausage as a viable breakfast food for our children (think corn-dog)… Then we can market change. We can market individuality and a new definition of ENOUGH! We are an incredible species we just act out in the strangest and most counter-productive of ways… The bull headed child in us all? Changing our idea of enough can change our communities, or country, other countries, our environment, our world. What’s enough for you?
My Vision in a Nutshell
We need to revisit and individualize our needs and wants so that we can re-learn the definitions of ‘happy’ and ‘enough’.
David
Bon vivant who doesn’t want the world to end any time soon
Age Range
26-40
My Vision
Hybrid cars in our garages, wind farms on our coasts, solar panels on our roofs, and organic grapes in our refrigerators are all good things. But when we’re trucking all of those things thousands of miles — burning cheap fuel all the way to their final destination — you have to wonder if even our greenest ideas of sustainable and smart living are either sustainable or smart. I think we have to radically rethink where we get all of our goods and foods, and be ready to make some tough decisions.
Maybe we should be ready to pay more for manufactured goods that don’t need to be shipped across an ocean and then trucked across a continent. Maybe we shouldn’t be eating Chilean tomatoes in December (they don’t taste like tomatoes, anyway) — or anything from New Zealand, ever. Maybe local lettuce with minimal pesticides is actually better for us, and the environment, than organic lettuce shipped here all the way from Mexico.
It’s time to dust off that old line, “Think Global, Act Local,” because it’s more important in this global economy than ever. Cheap goods from faraway shores may seem cheap, but they have plenty of long-term hidden costs.
My Vision in a Nutshell
The world would be a whole lot better — and we’d be a whole lot healthier — if we lived closer to home.
Deborah
Small business owner Nurse by profession just started a recycled rubber company with my brother, using crumb from old car and truck tires to make parking safety products.
Age Range
40-55
My Vision
As many have commented, it is a little too late however if we continue with that atttitude then it surely will be for future generqations. I am 55 yo and have been environmentally astute for years however I never really did anything, on a large scale, to be an advocate. Now I have the opportunity to make a difference and I am not saying everyone has to go out and start a business but do you fair share. If you are in city/town that does not recycle well do something about it. If you see a can on the street pick it up! Everything little bit helps.
My Vision in a Nutshell
We want future generations to enjoy the world as some of us “older folks” have. It is NOT too late. Speak up!
don
citizens advocating renewable energy Realtor……environmentalist
Age Range
40-55
My Vision
My hope for the future is for all individuals in the world to begin accepting personal responsibility for all their actions, thereby creating the big changes in our world by making the many small changes in our own immediate worlds first. The positive effects of enough people making enough changes to every aspect of their lives is enormous…unlimited possibilities.
My Vision in a Nutshell
My hope for the future is for all individuals in the world to begin accepting personal responsibility for all their actions, thereby changing the world.
Eva
The Society for the Archeology of the Recent Future Sound Archaeologist
Age Range
Over 55
My Vision
What isn’t the connection between the environment and human health? From nuclear waste poison causing cancer to smog and asthma, everything we do to the environment circles back around to have a direct impact on our lives. People tend to think of the environment as this distanct thing or place that’s completely removed from day to day life, but actually, it’s directly connected. It’s why I ride a bike everywhere - it’s better for the environment, and better for my health.
My Vision in a Nutshell
What isn’t the connection between the environment and human health?
Grace
Student
Age Range
26-40
My Vision
Human dignity and respect for the environment are some of many important elements that make a healthy population and environment. These elements are upheld when they become integral to the policies that govern our society, and in doing so, extend to protect even those with the least influence (or power) from assaults (to human dignity and environment).
My Vision in a Nutshell
Government policies should promote human dignity and respect for the environment to cultivate healthy populations and protect that which is most vulnerable.
Greta
student of the world
Age Range
18-25
My Vision
My housemate last year wrote her undergraduate environmental health thesis on toxicity in the home. She spent her days testing levels of toxins in subjects and then interviewing them: “Do you use these cleaning products? Do you have chipped nonstick pans? Do you use plastics in the microwave?” Then she came home and saw all of us doing the same things and using the same products that she was proving were carcinogenic.
My Vision in a Nutshell
Greater regulation and public awareness re. home-based toxins.
Inez
KNHM Professional student of the small things in life that matter hugely
Age Range
18-25
My Vision
I’m sick of seeing poorly designed wastecans, which often overflow and spill out into the streets—causing the pigeons and rats who eat the rubbish to get flattened by cars. That is just ONE hazzard—the litter and stench is another. Let’s design waste cans that have lids. Let’s also put recycling bins next to them.
My Vision in a Nutshell
Better desings for urban environments
Janet
volunteer for various causes
Age Range
40-55
My Vision
I hope people will look at the choices they make every day. What you eat, what you wear, where you spend your money, all have an impact on the world. Vote, speak up, advocate! Silence implies consent.
My Vision in a Nutshell
My vision is of a world where animal suffering is a distant horror from the dark ages.
Jay
I am planning on starting a sustainably operated coffee business. I believe that a healthy environment is the best for every business. I love spending time outdoors and learning about natural history and current conservation developments.
Age Range
40-55
My Vision
I believe that the best way to make Toward Tomorrow’s concept work is to start educating young minds about why many of the “old ways” of doing business are more destructive than productive (cradle-to-grave, non-sustainability, profit over waste and pollution) and in the long run, hurt a companies bottom line. They can be taught how to be more consciencious consumers and produce less waste. They can learn how to be ethical and successful business owners. if money “makes the world go ‘round” as people say, why not start brain washing the future business leaders with positive goals. Schools really need to start to do this.
And speaking of “bottom line”, perhaps that concept should change from one of profits to one of human relationships. I know that I will always spend more at a business where I see them follow that concept.
My Vision in a Nutshell
Educate the young about ethical future business and consumer practices. Set a goal for good public relations and customer service.
Jim
Student
Age Range
Over 55
My Vision
A healthy human population must simultaneously envision itself as being worldwide and local. The 13th Century Christian Mystic Dame Julian of Norwich, during a near-fatal illness, saw a vision of “something small, no bigger than a hazelnut lying in the palm of my hand, and I perceived it was as round as any ball… It is everything which is made. I was amazed that it could last, for I thought it was so little it could suddenly fall into nothing….” This is our world, and while we need to see to it that everyone has meaningful work, nutritious food, pure water, shelter, heat, shade and light, each in his/her tiny place, every decision must be made with the awareness of its effect on that tiny hazelnut Earth.
My Vision in a Nutshell
A healthy human population must simultaneously envision itself as being worldwide and local.
Mel S
Environmentalist / Wildlife Lover Disabled Veteran
Age Range
40-55
My Vision
It all starts with population control or nothing else will work.
My Vision in a Nutshell
Lower the current population
Melissa
Pragmatist
Age Range
18-25
My Vision
Poverty is the greatest threat to human and environmental health. People need to be able to make a living in a way that doesn’t degrade their environment or squander their children’s future to pay bills today.
My Vision in a Nutshell
Affordable education and widespread livable wages would improve health and the environment.
Molly
Environmental Health Researcher
Age Range
26-40
My Vision
More often that not, the same chemicals in industrial discharge that destroy aquatic ecosystems also cause disease in workers and community residents. If society embraced the fact that our environment and our health were inseparable, we would be able to purchase safe products; defined as products that: 1) do not contain chemicals/agents that promote or cause illness in humans during production, consumption or disposal and 2) do not deteriorate our environment. In such a world, “green” or “sustainable” business practices would be the norm, rather than the exception.
My Vision in a Nutshell
Green business practices that produce products that are healthy for humans and the environment would be the norm, rather than the exception.
Pat
Baby Boomer
Age Range
40-55
My Vision
The larger public is not engaged with environmental health issues because it remains a periphery issue. We’re too involved with our day-to-day struggle to make the lifestyle changes necessary. It takes extra resources to make “green” choices. Day-to-day you just try to do the best you can.
You should not assume that lower income communities are not interested in embracing these connections; but doing so should not be a burden.
My Vision in a Nutshell
Environmentally preferable practices and products are generally just too expensive for many people to adopt.
Randi
Artist, florist, mother, and passionate survivor in the chaos of the USA of America
Age Range
40-55
My Vision
How to get the attention of the masses is inconcievable to me. The US must slow down. The spiritual and physical health of all the ages here is suffering. We as a whole must begin health care from a completely different perspective. Viewed as a way of LIFE. A comfort, a peace giving. Offered and supported by each community, town or city the services to enhance the wellbeing of their citizens. Not just in the sense of preventative, but as an everyday way of thinking. Having a consciousness about the way we treat ourselves and our environment will have a direct effect on our minds and spirits. Think of the freedom from stress. Were it is accepted to seek therapy, soak in a communal hot tub and get a massage. Funding? The community vs government. I choose community.
There must also never be a person that when in need should lack his or her “proffessional medical” attention, such as surgeries and such. The amount of money hoarded for weapons could easily support our hospitals. We still need hospitals or something more evolved than what we presently know. Just as the auto industry is in crisis and needs great change and revolution, so does our vision of health care management.
My Vision in a Nutshell
Happy to help towards a new lifestyle in health care promoting all citizens. Beginning at birth, before physical or mental challenges emerge.
Regina
None Pet-Sitting Business, Part-time worker for a grocery store. I am passionate about teaching people, to love and respect this planet and every living being on it. Plant, animal and human.
Age Range
40-55
My Vision
Now, what can American do? What we always do, we become inventive and put people and living things first. We elect people who care about all life, not just lipsink what a group of Americans want to hear. There is technology right now that can eliminate “Oil” from out lives and still allow us to drive our car. How does that sound? I think it sounds wonderful. I think it is time to give a pink slip to the oil companies and let them look for another line of work.
Another strength that the American people have, is in helping others. If every American volunteered 2 hours a week to a worthy cause instead of watching TV and partying, what wonderful things will happen?
Another arena I believe, we as a nation should look at, is how we can start to breakdown barriers between, ethic, spiritual and gender differences. It seems that when a disaster occurs, all barriers drop and we help each other.
One last thought, stop putting pesticides on your lawns. I know everyone wants a carpet of green, but at what expense. If a sign says it is bad for children and pets, what do you think you are doing to yourself. Look up the chemicals that you put on your lawn and see what effects they have on your nervous systems and health. You will be surprised. I decided not to put pesticides on my lawn, instead I put a salmon fertilizer on my lawn and it shows. My lawn is healthier. The soil actually has worms in it, and I have chosen to leave the weeds (herbs) in my lawn for two reasons. One, because the plants are healthier for the animals and myself and two, I don’t have to mow and water my lawn every two weeks like those green carpet lawns. In fact, because of all the rain we received this year, I haven’t had to water my lawn once.
So just think, how you will affect someone or something else down the line, before you do anything or think how God feels every time you hurt on of his creations.
My Vision in a Nutshell
Americans need to believe in themselves again, not in Politican.
Rodah
KUOW student
Age Range
18-25
My Vision
I live in Seattle. When I travel to other cities it saddens me to see how many are not conducive to walking. My parents live in Grand Junction Colorado and it breaks my heart to see how car dependent it is, how there are no parks, no common spaces, particularly in the pooer neighborhoods. All of this is eveident —no one needs to hear this from me but it’s a problem that is contributing to violence, obesity and depression. I wish there were city officials who took this seriously.
My Vision in a Nutshell
We need more parks.
Sarah
Environmental enthusiast
Age Range
26-40
My Vision
Global warming’s going to have a gigantic impact on human health. How? Extreme weather (heat waves, hurricanes, floods) claims lives directly. Rising temperatures allow insects and other infectious-disease vectors to expand into areas they previously didn’t inhabit. Disappearing glaciers endanger vast numbers of people the world over who depend on them for drinking water. Prolonged drought causes famine. And a rapid rise in sea level would cause massive displacement of tens of millions of people. A good way to start thinking about what to do? The Gore movie: “An Inconvenient Truth.”
My Vision in a Nutshell
The connection between global warming and human health may not be intuitive, but it will be dramatic.
Susan
Gaian Voices writer, editor, publisher, organic gardener, Earth lover
Age Range
40-55
My Vision
To quote Thomas Berry, we need to recreate the human at the species level. To me this means living our lives as part of the Earth, part of the cosmos, in ways that sustain, nourish, and restore the place in which we live. We need to come together in our communities to address the most troubling issues that face us — climate change, peak oil, helping one another now and especially when many of us can no longer afford to pay for fuel, food, health care, shelter because everything has become too expensive. We need to free ourselves from the shackles of the corporations and inhuman goverments that currently controls our lives. We also need to free ourselves from our addictions to the latest in technology and once more become connected to the Earth where we live. We are human beings, not androids. If we aren’t careful we will lose our humanity in exchange for lives so technological we no longer know or care about the nature surrounding us.
My Vision in a Nutshell
Re-connect with the Earth, love the Earth, get dirt under our fingernails. Come together in communities to create beauty and real security.
Trisha
Educated, stay at home mom, and concerned citizen
Age Range
18-25
My Vision
I want all food to be required by law to meet organic standards. That will improve our health, animal health, and the environment. I want mercury free medicine. I want doctors that are more holistic. More lay midwives that are legal for safer births. Safe cleaning produces are needed. We need PVC alternatives. I’d like environmentally safe cars and energy sources. We should make and use local products instead of shipping everything around the world. I’d like to see fluoride free water, and chlorine free water purification systems like those in use in other parts of the world.
My Vision in a Nutshell
I want safe, holistic, local, and environmentally friendly food, water, dentists, doctors, midwives, energy, cars, cleaning products, building materials, and all products in general.
William
Retired
Age Range
Over 55
My Vision
People can participate in decision making processes which might impact them and their community when they have a real understanding of what they are doing and the resources needed to be involved in both the process and the outcome.
During the last 35 years I have helped more than 400 citizen’s groups throughout this country on a wide variety of environmental and social justice issues. I have never seen a situation where the people had what they needed to participate on equal footing with government agencies or corporations. Usually the public agencies and the corporations are working together and the public may get in at the end of what is usually a multi year process. The playing field is never level and the rules of the game are usually never shown to the interested public. Of all the groups I have worked with only about a dozen were not successful in their efforts. Some of the groups were involved in what I can only describe as their struggles for their communities and their way of life.
Those people who look for the real decision makers, and their efforts are focused on trying to influence these entities, are the groups who are the most successful. Those groups which focus on only following the rules will struggle for years, probably burn out with frustration and finally quit. Those groups which are the most creative, who connect with the news media, their public officials, other groups and the public at large are the ones who are more likely to succeed.
My Vision in a Nutshell
In environmental struggles community groups usually cannot play by the rigid rules established by government agencies and corporations. Success often depends on the creativity, energy and persistence of the group.
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