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Giving Green a Whole New Meaning

from Pz's Perspective, Natural Muscle Magazine

8. The fitness industry is getting with the program

Many clubs are making strides to go in the direction of green. Ideas are being shared relating to environmentally-friendly policies and practices. That could mean anything as simple as installing low-energy light bulbs or recycling, to major additions like adding new energy efficient treadmills, to renovations that save on electricity bills and water usage. As a member of the club and of the larger human race, you can speak up and make your green wishes known to the owners and managers where you train. The club of the future will have green thinking at the forefront. Established clubs can and should still do their part. New clubs will have the advantage of all the knowledge going in and can plan, design and execute a facility looking through a different set of green lenses.

9. So, you want to go green but don't know how. What do you do? How can you take part?

First, the fact you're thinking in such terms is uplifting and a positive step. To be honest, it's on a scale so huge that it's mind-boggling. We've managed to do so many things on so many fronts in such an irresponsible, reckless manner for so long is why we're in this mess. The good news is we know better now and knowing better gives us no excuse NOT to do better. Start on a small scale. Do small things you will repeat over and over and practices that will become givens—part of your new way of life. I call them G-givens. Recycling is a must and the place to begin. You may think recycling is being done everywhere by everyone. It's not and there is still much in the way of participation to achieve. Make it a family affair. Live by example at home, at work, at play. Share what you know with others. Become educated and informed on the facts. Awareness holds the key. Don't think it's a left wing wacko conspiracy and a bunch of hogwash. It's here and it's real.

10. The time is now

All we have is now. All we have is this home we call Earth. It's ours and, at this time, it's the only one we've got. We can't move to Mars or Jupiter or another galaxy. We can't trade it in for another model. The damage already done is done. Some of it can be undone, some even reversed. Some of it can't. We need to begin right where we are. We can make better decisions and implement better laws NOW to prevent adding more insult to the injury. Earth is not designed to be abused like we've abused it. She can only take so much. We have not passed the point of no return. Not yet, but stop, look, and listen. We're approaching it. She's giving us all the clues in a loud, audible tone. If we remain unaltered on our present course, eventually she will cry uncle in a whimper too low to hear. There will be no boom, no sonic sound. It will sneak up on us and appear like any other day and there won't be anything left to do.