The Millennial Files

Kudos to Sheryl Crow and Laurie David

As some may have noticed by now, I tend not to jump on the bandwagon of whatever is the topic of the moment. Such is the case with Sheryl Crow and Laurie David’s mix-up with Karl Rove at the Correspondents Association Dinner in D.C. last week. After all the he-said-she-said, I have to admire Ms. Crow and Ms. David for having the chutzpah to approach Karl in the first place. There’s something to be said for getting past being intimidated by someone because of his office, and seeing him as a possible aide in a worthwhile cause. In reading Sheryl’s recounting of the event, I have to say her intentions looked to be more good than ill-conceived albeit a little naive. I mean did she really think Mr. Rove was capable of having a decent conversation with someone not of his own camp?

Nevertheless, she and Laurie have invigorated my sometimes-flagging optimism that we can do something to stop or at least mitigate the destruction global climate change is sure to bring. Sheryl and Laurie’s two-week Stop Global Warming College Tour focused on the right audience, receptive to changing their daily activities for the good of our world. Additionally, they offered simple changes one could make that according to them, could make a difference. The one that has received the most attention is saving paper by using only one square of toilet paper to use per sitting, which actually was a joke. However, mainstream media jumped on it, making it a good conversation starter.

The connection Sheryl made with toilet paper is that most TP is made from virgin wood, and trees are our major source for converting earth-warming, people-choking carbon dioxide (CO2) to breathable oxygen (Aahh!). When we cut down trees, we cut off our own supply of a vital life-supporting gas. More realistic was her proposal to reduce paper napkin use. She also suggested an idea for a detachable sleeve, on which people could wipe their mouths when dining. This kind of brings to mind Merry Old England, and I think it could start a fashion trend among teens and twenty-somethings. Considering how many Baby-Boomers refusing to age tend to duplicate the younger generations’ habits, we might not be far behind. As one Boomer, I think it might be kind of fun. Of course, using cloth napkins might be easier until we want to make our meals resemble something from the Renaissance.

My whole point is, since the SGW Tour, the idea of preventing global warming is something that appears to be taking off. Doing something for all our good, is a idea whose time has finally come. Not only does NPR have a year-long series planned, Climate Connections, but Mainstream Media outlets such as ABC’s Good Morning America have launched a similar pieces such as “Go Green America.” Randi Rhodes of Air America often says, “If it doesn’t happen on TV, it doesn’t happen.” Well it is, and
the more of us who are willing to think in terms of pariticipating and shaping this new wave, the better it will be for us all.