What are you doing to help the sustainable movement? As you’ll recall, last month I started to tackle this question. Next on the American Actions list are unplugging electronics and buying locally grown food. As far as the former goes, I’m very diligent when it comes to unplugging devices (eg., the toaster) that I don’t need to use all day, however, I am in the communications business and while I meet many people face to face, I also carry out an incredible amount of electronic communications, so I try to use the various power saving device options on my laptop.

Whilst a student in Durban, South Africa the impact of a short growing season escaped me, but now that spring has sprung in the northern hemisphere, local markets here are met with enthusiasm. I now better understand why homemade canned fruit and sauerkraut (finely shredded cabbage with a long shelf life) are so popular in this region! During the growing season the market becomes a cultural and focal meeting point after a long hard winter.

I do agree with the idea of buying locally grown food from the various Community Supported Agriculture or CSA options in my area. For various reasons I’ve never signed up. Either I’ve missed the intake deadline, I’ve been out of state, or I’ve been unable to make the collection times. In addition, our neighbouring town, West Chester, is famous for a number of things, including the Growers Market. I’ve haven’t been to the market yet this season (the Open Day is 1st May), but in previous years it has always offered a wonderful community feel and has been frequented by many Amish farmers selling their produce.

This year, as in previous years, I decided we would grow some of our own vegetables. I recall my childhood op die plot with long lines of carrots, lettuce and potatoes growing in the veggie patch. Here in the USA, however, time will tell how my seedlings will endure the onslaught of my son using the area as a sand box, the dog using it as a sand bath and the squirrels using it as a seed source. If any seeds do manage to sprout, they’ll have to survive the grazing white-tailed deer and I might be going to the Grower’s Market after all.

As we approach the 40th anniversary of Earth Day are you doing anything to mark the occasion? I’ll be heading to Washington DC, with folks from my local community, to participate in some of the numerous Earth Day activities.

Debbie Early, PhD graduated with a life sciences degree from ‘Maritzburg ‘Varsity in the ‘90s. She has a PhD in toxicology obtained in the UK. She is Principal of Waratah Communications LLC and writes from her certified wildlife habitat in Chester County, PA, USA. You can contact her on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Copyright © 2010 by Debbie Early