Be the Change.

Hello, random person who stumbled upon my blog.  Welcome!  I'm Jen. I'm an ornithologist (ORN-ith-all-OH-jist) - a biologist that studies birds.  Yep, birds.  I went to university and got a degree in biology.  Now I travel around the world working with non-profit organizations and universities doing research.  But what does that have to do with anything?

Okay, well in my profession I'm constantly faced with the despairing truth regarding the state of our planet.  It's pretty depressing when you not only read about the discouraging facts but actually help collect them (seriously, it is a lot worse than you've been led to believe...).  I also happen to be a big contributor to the environmental problems I'm so acutely aware of.  Oh, and I'm pretty sure I'm making myself sick with all the chemicals I'm inadvertently eating and slathering all over my face and body.

I'm one of those people that cares about the planet.  You know the kind.  I've been called a hippie, a tree-hugger, a bird-brain, earthy, a kook, a nerd, a geek, freak, crunchy, granola and more.

Alright, alright, I do like to read books about people who climb really tall trees to learn about the organisms that live in the unexplored canopy, and people who follow caribou herds across the Yukon so they can stop oil companies from drilling in their ancient breeding grounds; I would much rather flip through a National Geographic than a Cosmo; I prefer nature documentaries over Hollywood blockbusters; and I dream about spending a day in the Amazon conversing with David Attenborough in a dugout canoe.

But I'm not a "hippie".  Let's put that word out of it's misery.  Besides, since when does giving a damn about the environment make you a nerd?  We all use it and need it to live.  But you can still relate to me, I swear.  I buy designer jeans I can't afford, and love getting drunk and dancing my ass off.  I like shopping for shoes online, painting my nails, screwing around with my hair, eating Five Guys Burgers and Fries and chasing it with a Coke, I love flipping mindlessly through trashy gossip magazines, and I constantly worry about saving money and stress about my physical appearance.

I just feel really guilty about all of the above because I'm so conscious of our dire environmental situation.



I read this quote once, I'm sure you know it -

You need to be the change you wish to see in the world.

No, that wasn't Mahatma Gandhi.  What Gandhi actually said was,

If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. ... We need not wait to see what others do.

In any case, I feel inspired by both of these phrases the same way you do.  I'm pretty sure he was talking about freedom when he said those resonating words, but I think they can apply to bettering yourself and the the environment, too.

I want to see changes, but I never really put much thought into it.  I just kind of start thinking unrealistically.  I imagine joining Greenpeace and taking down illegal fishing boats with water canons.  I fantasize about punching poachers in the face with my super-human fists of environmental justice.  I dream of growing my own food in my imaginary backyard.  I imagine taking all my money and buying a plot of land in South America so I can begin my own conservation project.  
                                
Um, as it turns out, all these things take a lot of work.  I'm just setting myself up for failure by creating unattainable goals.  Changing the world is impossible.  Changing yourself?  Not so much.  But it is ridiculously hard.  Which is why I'm here to begin with.  I'm a slothful scatterbrain who wants to look better, feel better, live longer, and make the world a better place in the wake of all my narcissistic accomplishments.  Ha!

Hence the blog.  I figure it will help motivate me.  If people are watching, maybe I'll try harder to Be the Change.  Well, that's the idea anyway.

First, I need some goals.  I heard that setting goals is always a good place to start.

Okay...

(ONE)  Improve Physical Self.  Vain, I know.  But someone once told me that exercise and eating healthy is actually good for you.  It makes you sexier, happier, smarter, and helps you live longer.  Let's see, shall we?  (If I benefit from this ridiculous effort, perhaps you can too).

(TWO)  Be More Aware.  How?  By reading, listening, and asking more questions like, uh, what's in my food and where does it come from? Is my shampoo slowly killing me and is there a healthier alternative?  What is Obama's plan to reform the US healthcare system and why should I care? What the hell is a Discoglossus nigriventer?  (If I can find interesting answers to these questions I'll fill you in).

(THREE)  Make a Contribution.  Yep, by volunteering my time (gasp!) and reducing my impact on the planet (dwah?!).  The hardest one of all.  But!  If it's fun, easy, entertaining, and rewarding, I'll let you know (maybe you'll want to give it a shot).

I realize that the first goal is completely selfish, but hear me out.  People are intrinsically obsessed with themselves, right?  Who has time to worry about the world's problems when they need to think about their lives, their relationships, their money, their kids, their time, and their future?  If people are going to change, they're obviously going to start with themselves.  You have to fix your own problems before you take on the world, kind of like, fixing the foundations of a really old house (like, really old).  So it seems to me, if I better myself in the right way (i.e. become healthy by losing weight and getting stronger, eating better, and becoming more "aware") then I can focus my attention on bigger issues.  Besides, I'm a part of the environment.  What's good for me is probably good for the planet.  I'm not talking about indulging in a scrumptious burger, here.  While that would be delicious and good for satiating my appetite for greasy meat, it isn't good for me, or the planet.  I'm thinking more along the lines of taking a walk outside, or switching to organic lettuce.

Now, I said before that I'm slothful.  Okay, this isn't exactly true.  I do consider myself  lazy in the sense that it would be much easier to do nothing than save the planet.  I just have a feeling that I'm a little more willing than most people to try crazy new things and to give up certain everyday comforts (I did once live in a cinder-block house in a jungle for 6 months, but I'll tell you more about that later).  Because I possess this special gift, I figure I'll place myself under the microscope.  I'll try all of those things that so many of us are hesitant about because it seems like too much work.  I'll incorporate those things that are supposed to be good for me and the environment, little by little.  I'll read labels to learn about what's in my food and where it comes from.  I'll examine the ingredient list on my favorite shampoo bottle and figure out what sodium laureth sulfate is, if it's bad for me, and if I can live life without it. 

Whenever I want to try something new, give something up, or I'm having trouble getting motivated to alter some enjoyable aspect of my previously wasteful lifestyle, I'll blab about it here and share my results - the good, the bad, and the hilarious.  If all goes well my experiences will inspire you to make improvements in your own life and eventually the world around you.  If this project is a complete failure then hopefully I at least succeeded in making you laugh.

I'm sick of waiting for the world to change.  Follow me as I take Gandhi's gentle words of wisdom and apply them to my life. 

Let's begin, shall we?

Photo courtesy of AFP/GETTY @ www.time.com