Our World Our future

Sunday Scribblings Topic is-The future of the planet

I have much hope for the future of our planet.
Reform starts with education. With education comes Awareness and through awareness we are able to make positive changes. Despite popular thought, I just have to believe it's not too late.
Two examples that pop into my mind are Cigarettes and Seat belts. I remember riding in cars as a child, hanging over the front bench seat... reaching for the radio or just chatting. It now seems amazingly stupid to me, that until we were educated on the statistics of how many lives are saved using seat belts, We just weren't aware of the dangers on our own. In 1984, New York State became the first state to enact a mandatory seat belt law, the law became effective in 1985. I started driving in 1976 and used my seat belt from that day forward because I just KNEW from all of the information made available to me, it was safer. I remember taking my kids to PA. and my friend telling me, You don't have to buckle them up, its not the law HERE. I was shocked at her ignorance and replied, "It's my law."

The first anti-smoking campaign began in the '60's. They aired One anti-smoking ad for every four cigarette ads. We've been aware of how dangerous cigarettes are for a very long time. Cigarette ads were banned in the U.S in 1970 and MOre and MOre warnings educating us on dangers associated with smoking were drummed into our heads. In 1984 congress passed the Comprehensive Smoking Education Act sending us more specific warnings of the dangers of smoking. It didn't happen overnight, but we finally have become consciously aware. I live in a very educated community, If you smoke here, you feel like a leper. Most everyone I know who used to smoke has quit. Enlightened people are bound to take action.. So, my point is...
When we were kids we had earth day once a year and that was about how often we thought about the planet.
Today, more and more, people are being educated and educating themselves on How to make positive changes to care for our world. Just reading the few blog posts I've read on the topic reassures me of my perpetual hope. Everyone is very conscientious. Everyone is trying to make a difference. I LOVED reading how Granny's hubby Is working hard trying to help our energy problem! I have so much hope that there have to be others out there like Otto. We are a society of great minds and hearts. The more attention the topic gets and the more we try to educated EVERYONE on tips to help preserve our planet, the more I believe a positive change will occur, and we can be assured that our children and their children's children, all down the line, can live happily ever after.