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Worm Holes and Carbon Footprints

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Today we meet two of the critters at The Green House, Link and Wormy. Link is a liberal blogger who is trying to introduce his new friend, Wormy to the world of environmentalism. Tomorrow, Link checks in with Wormy to see how he’s enjoying reading “An Inconvenient Truth.”

As much as we seek knowledge and “the truth,” we’re all  reading the latest news, reports and studies to see what “those in the know” want us to know. It’s also clear that those who are “experts” can sway us to their side by great speeches, writing or story-telling through movies. However, seemingly minutes after we form an opinion or answer a call to action, we can dismiss and distrust if we hear “facts” well told from the other side of the debate.

I really wanted to believe Al Gore and the message of “An Inconvenient Truth.” I recall taking my Mother to the movie and seeing how moved she was by all the facts about the melting glaciers and endangered polar bears. . . which I knew were facts “skewed” a bit to make a point (and sell a movie). My Mom and I had a great discussion about the movie on the way home, which proved one point that put Al’s movie into a “plus” column for me. . .

It was clear from the discussion that my Mom hadn’t really been following environmental news much, even though she knew how big a “Greenie” I am- and she was now excited to start reading more and to start living a cleaner, more organic life. After dropping her off, I came to the conclusion that as much as Al Gore may have propped up certain info and dramatized events to make a more compelling movie, my Mom was moved into a more positive direction for having seen “An Inconvenient Truth.”

I don’t condone lying to the world to make a more impactful movie-  I like to see balance- but in this case, I’ll give a nod in the affirmative to Al.

So, for my part,  I’ll  do what I can to show how thoughtful, informed, conscious people (and critters) relate to the same information, in my own writing. Maybe my presentation of debatable subject matter will open discussion that is balanced and discussed with open minds. In any event, finding any moment to open a person’s mind to thinking about their planet is a good thing. Do it with humor and cute characters and it’s a big round ball slam dunk!

More on the subject over the next few days.

What were your thoughts and experiences after reading or seeing “An Inconvenient Truth?”  Start a conversation here or on our Facebook page. We love fresh insights and honest experiences.

Balancing Act. . .

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“We can either wait for change to be imposed on us (by the ecology) – and so increase the risk of catastrophe – or we can make some difficult changes on our own terms, and so reclaim control of our destiny.”  (pg 178, “Earth In The Balance” by Al Gore)

I love this quote from Al Gore, because it gives a great message, muddied up with an unnecessary phrase just in case we can’t imagine the intent of the previous phrase . . . essential Al Gore. . .   “-and so increase the risk of catastrophe.”  Yes, Al, we kind of get that. . . that’s why we’re reading your book.  But it’s a good quote overall, and I’m being picky, because I’m a cartoonist, and to me, the most powerful messages are edited down to their most critical elements. . . make the most of the small space you’re given and make your point. Like today’s featured comic. If a picture is worth a thousand words, this one is worth five thousand from Al Gore.

Peter and I are at a critical point in our development of the “new Green House.”  Critical because we want to do the most we can with the time we have, make the most impact, do the most good, reach our desired audience and hopefully help others make the essential decisions they desire to make to create a better world. That ain’t easy! So, we’re are starting at ground zero, literally. . . the ground – and what is it?

Today I’m working on a rough outline of a poster about Composting. . . what is it,  how does it work, how do you do it? We’re creating a poster, a booklet and a comic adventure about “everything compost” because, that’s where it all starts. . . and ends . .  and starts again.

A flower emerges from the earth, growing on the decay of all life that came  before it. . . nurtured by those nutrients. . . yes nutrients. We are all nutrients for something else, either while we’re here or after we’ve gone. . . same as the flower. Currently, I’m doing my own research on two forms of composting, composting in a container and worm composting, and I’ll be sharing photos and information on the blog. While we’re working on the stories of our friends at the Green House, Peter and I will also be sharing our compost information online with the poster and publications, on this blog as a forum – and in a series of talks we will be giving on a local level to schools, libraries etc.

At the same time, we will be creating new Green House material and looking for markets to share it with. Let us know what you think of our posts, comics, information etc. . . if you love it- we’ll move further in that direction. If you don’t, we’ll compost it and let it nurture some new material.  Below are two pictures: one of my worm composter, and one of a rotating compost bin that my sister-in-law had retired, as she’s got chickens and a big compost pile to take care of her needs.  I’ve had the worm composter going for about 60 days and the bin going for about 30. . .   please share your thoughts or questions.  We need the input and feedback. . . help us find a balance to work from. We have so many lessons to learn and share. . . Peace.

Deep Thoughts, Warm Places

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Yesterday I told you about my Mom, and taking her to see “An Inconvenient Truth.” She was moved to start learning more about environmentalism by the movie. . . and my final takeaway from our discussion over REAL ENVIRONMENTAL TRUTHS, was that if the movie got her interested in learning, it served a positive purpose.

Wormy is looking at global warming from his own perspective. . . how he feels it- which is how most of us should be looking at it. What feels right? What seems to be furthering someone else’s agenda? From my perspective, I’m okay with being wrong. . . or being told I’m wrong, as long as it opens a dialogue and we can share our individual perspectives. Whatever subject we want to approach in conversation or a comic strip is going to meet with varying opinion and perspective. I’m okay with being “schooled.” I invite it!

I don’t ever want to stop learning or hearing someone’s  point of view. . or “poit” of view. . .     If you look closely at the first panel, Peter chose a great sound effect for Wormy popping up out of the ground. . . “poit!”  Great word, with no meaning unless you know where it’s coming from. In Wormy’s case, he’s coming from a place of deep thinking and warmth. What more could I ask for?

Do you have a good story to share about perspective or are you wondering what song Link was playing on guitar? (Hint: It will be featured in Thursday’s Comic/Post) . . . as always, the best place to share our comments and thoughts is on our Facebook page. . . pop in and share. “Poit!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carbon Footprints and Worm Holes

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Today we meet two of the critters at The Green House, Link and Wormy. Link is a liberal blogger who is trying to introduce his new friend, Wormy to the world of environmentalism. Tomorrow, Link checks in with Wormy to see how he’s enjoying reading “An Inconvenient Truth.”

As much as we seek knowledge and “the truth,” we’re all  reading the latest news, reports and studies to see what “those in the know” want us to know. It’s also clear that those who are “experts” can sway us to their side by great speeches, writing or story-telling through movies. However, seemingly minutes after we form an opinion or answer a call to action, we can dismiss and distrust if we hear “facts” well told from the other side of the debate.

I really wanted to believe Al Gore and the message of “An Inconvenient Truth.” I recall taking my Mother to the movie and seeing how moved she was by all the facts about the melting glaciers and endangered polar bears. . . which I knew were facts “skewed” a bit to make a point (and sell a movie). My Mom and I had a great discussion about the movie on the way home, which proved one point that put Al’s movie into a “plus” column for me. . .

It was clear from the discussion that my Mom hadn’t really been following environmental news much, even though she knew how big a “Greenie” I am- and she was now excited to start reading more and to start living a cleaner, more organic life. After dropping her off, I came to the conclusion that as much as Al Gore may have propped up certain info and dramatized events to make a more compelling movie, my Mom was moved into a more positive direction for having seen “An Inconvenient Truth.”

I don’t condone lying to the world to make a more impactful movie-  I like to see balance- but in this case, I’ll give a nod in the affirmative to Al.

So, for my part,  I’ll  do what I can to show how thoughtful, informed, conscious people (and critters) relate to the same information, in my own writing. Maybe my presentation of debatable subject matter will open discussion that is balanced and discussed with open minds. In any event, finding any moment to open a person’s mind to thinking about their planet is a good thing. Do it with humor and cute characters and it’s a big round ball slam dunk!

More on the subject over the next few days.

What were your thoughts and experiences after reading or seeing “An Inconvenient Truth?”  Start a conversation here or on our Facebook page. We love fresh insights and honest experiences.