HDT Hosts Exchange Group from Tasmania

Today Happy Dancing Turtle hosted five Rotarians from Tasmania this morning. The group is part of the Rotary Group Study Exchange. After coffee and mini muffins, they were treated to a tour of the HUG campus. 

The group is walking in between buildings in the brisk morning.

Here they learn about the Passiv Haus Standard;

a measurement to describe how well a building can heat itself

 

Yesterday they were able to tour much of the lakes area, tasting local delicacies at Fancy Pants Chocolates in Downtown Brainerd, touring the Baxter city police hall, and talking with teachers at Garfield Elementary in Brainerd.

The Bemidji Pioneer has a great article on the team. 

For the past several days they've been touring northern MN, North Dakota, and parts of Canada. For more information on the team, you can view their website. 

Earth Day 2012

Sunday, April 22 is Earth Day.

It's the day where some will plant a tree, take a hike in the woods, and little else. I think this is because there is a lack of definition in what Earth Day really means. Back in 1970, it was supposed to symbolize a  way to unite people into caring for the planet. However, back then, it wasn't even able to do that.

So, what does it mean today? What are you supposed to actually do on an Earth Day? I believe that it's necessary to, yes, make that token effort (ie, plant a tree), because that's what people will see and that's how people measure progress. However, it is much more important to open up dialogue with others about WHY you care about the planet. This dialogue will help other see the importance of sustainability.

Sustainability implies a long outlook; a perspective that takes into consideration more than your morning Facebook check or your daily lunch choice. With proper perspective, humankind will be able to "save the planet. However, If you listen to George Carlin, it doesn't make a difference what your long term outlook is because the Earth will be just fine. (Mind the swearing...it is George Carlin, after all.) According to Mr. Carlin, it's not the Earth that needs saving, it's the people living on it that do!

And it's true. Planet Earth doesn't need humankind to survive. BUT, we need a healthy Planet Earth to survive.

That's why it's important to do the token gestures. If everyone starts doing them, they become a movement.  The Earth Day Network offers up these suggestions:

Volunteer. Go to a festival. Install solar panels on your roof. Organize an event in your community. Change a habit. Help launch a community garden. Communicate your priorities to your elected representatives. Do something nice for the Earth, have fun, meet new people, and make a difference.

These are just a few steps that will create awareness. Doing some of these things WILL make a difference to more and more people as we continue to demonstrate the WHY. Earth Day is about building awareness and we must take that long term perspective.