The Chesapeake Bay - My Vision
December 27, 2007 | In Making A Diff. Lifestyle |
Table of contents for A Grand Vision
- Saving The Bay And Beyond
- The Chesapeake Bay - An Introduction
- The Chesapeake Bay - My Vision
Yesterday, I explained what the Chesapeake Bay is and why it’s so important to me to preserve it. Today, I reveal the details of…
Photo by photofarmer
The Grand Vision
No matter what specific measures have to be taken and no matter how much it costs, I see the need for a third party that is separate from the politics, the interest groups, and even the conservation groups. A third party that exists solely to represent the Bay. I have this vivid image in my mind of getting a roomfull of people together - mayors, governors, congressmen, scientists, activists, and maybe even the US President. I picture them bickering amongst themselves as to who should do what and who will get hurt by that idea, etc.
Then, into the fray, I come with a bull horn and tell everyone to shut up and listen to me. The speech goes like this:
“You are all here because you are the brightest minds and the most connected to this problem. Among all of you are answers and solutions, but they are being blocked by the worry about looking dumb or the worry about getting the funding. For once - pretend money is no object. Pretend you have $500 Billion Dollars or more to solve the problem. Forget how much it costs and find an answer. Use your smarts and your knowledge to craft a consensus on what the problems are and the solution.”
I don’t think one speech would do it, but this is my vision. These minds form a mastermind group that actually agrees on not only what the problem is, but what should be done to fix it - a list of the actual action steps. Then, my group starts the next phase - finding out exactly - down to the penny how much it would cost. An estimate of $X Billion isn’t good enough. I want to know exactly how much.
Then, I go about finding people to do it. If it costs $3 Million to install a better filter at a sewage treatment plant, I find sponsors, volunteers, and parts donations to make it happen - the government doesn’t need to spend the money, the treatment plant doesn’t need to spend the money, but the filter gets installed. I picture this happening all over the Bay and within 10 years having the health of the Bay where it should be.
Now, if I could somehow get everyone to agree, then I would accept Federal funding as part of the funding. And there wouldn’t be any fighting because it was already agreed upon what the issues were and what the solution is.
Main Problems With The Grand Vision
OK, so this is a pipe dream. There are way too many factors involved, and I’m not sure it’s even possible to get all those minds to agree on anything. As empowering as the image of knocking heads together and getting folks to listen is, it would probably take me most of the 10 years to get enough of the players involved to meet. Finally, I’m not a multi-billionaire able to step in and make it happen anyway.
So, given these huge obstacles, I conceived of the…
Baby Grand Vision
Politics are going to be involved. And, more than likely, it’s going to take a Federal level political move to get anything of lasting strength to happen. Simply because the Federal Government is the only body with jurisdiction over all the states, counties, cities, and towns. Like it or not, Republican, or Democrat, that’s the truth.
It’s been decades that these problems have been developing. The current state of affairs isn’t going to suddenly change. It’s going to take a massive movement and outcry on the part of the people to make something happen. However, I doubt folks are even aware of how bad it is. Look, I went to a tiny liberal arts college right on a large river. I studied Biology. I even operated upon crabs (OK - so I dissected them, but I like the word operated better…) I’ve grown up seeing the bumper stickers that say “Save the Bay!” But I didn’t know how bad it was until about a week ago. I can only begin to imagine the numbers of people who have even less of an idea than I do.
Of course, it is us, who are truly ignorant of the scope of the problem, who are the very ones who can solve the problem. This is very bad news. However, even if I can’t get together the political pundits, I can get together those who are just like me.
I envision a short flyer I can hand out to everyone - stand in front of WalMarts, McDonalds, Targets, grocery stores, everywhere - and hand out a simple flyer. The flyer would have a list of five - just five - easy things that everyone can do to save the Bay. And, if any of those things need special tools (like green cleaners), I will direct folks to Ripples of Improvement for coupons and resources to get those cleaners easily and cheaply.
Americans want to help, but they are overwhelmed. We are stressed out, overspent, hurried, and out of energy. If I can tell people exactly what they need to do, give them the resources and tools to do it, and provide a place where they can find out more if they want, I would be going a long, long way toward saving the Bay.
The Main Obstacles To Realizing This Vision
- What are those five things?
- How much does it cost to print the flyers?
- How do I get permission to pass out the flyers?
- Who will help me pass them out?
- Where do I get discounts?
- How do I design Ripples of Improvement to be a resource for those who want to save the Bay and still provide value to those who live thousands of miles away from it?
All of these questions can be answered. I don’t need to have inside access to top leaders, just time, energy, and more knowledge. These answers won’t be easy, but they are certainly able to be found. And I know that part of the answer to the last one is what I mentioned above, what is good for the Bay is also good for the planet in general.
Next Steps
First, I must figure out the answer to the first question - what are the five things? Also, I want to learn more about the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. There is no point in reinventing the wheel if they’ve done something similar. Also, I don’t want to start a new organization - they have a lot of prestige and I want to help. However, if they have done something similar, I don’t know about it. Therefore, I need to learn more about them.
I actually expect to find a lot more than five - and I’ll report back on what I find. As I craft the list, and narrow down the options, I plan to report on the blog. I also have plans for a “report from the field” weekly feature where I describe my adventures in trying out the steps. For instance - comparing one green cleaner to another or taking a four minute shower. I’m ashamed to admit that I’ve never had to do this so I never did. I know there are those in other countries who are amazed at this and those in this country who don’t see the point.
I want to share with my readers how it really is doing these activities, not just saying that they should be done. I hope to bring humor to the stories and steer you away from any troubles so you have a head start on me when you try it out yourselves.
Till next time!
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I look forward to seeing what are the five points.
I think people are looking for simple things that they can do to make a real difference.
If you can direct to these things then it may take off.
I’m very much looking forward to following your story.
Evan,
I promise you won’t have to wait long. I’m hard at work putting together a bullet points list. Ultimately, it may be a bit oversimplified, but I agree with you. We are so overwhelmed, even if it is oversimple, it’s still something concrete with a clear call to action.
So, stay tuned - I’ve only just gotten started!
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