I am confident that Barack Obama will do so much more for the environment than any president ever, but there is something that Newsweek is reporting that has bothered me.

According to information that often leaks to the media, apparently he was sometimes irritated by the stupid questions that get asked to politicians by the media.  For instance, NBC anchor Brian Williams asked him about “what’s a personal thing that you’ve done [that's green].”  He told his aides that if he told Williams that “‘Well, I planted a bunch of trees.’ And he says, ‘I’m talking about personal.’ What I’m thinking in my head is, ‘Well, the truth is, Brian, we can’t solve global warming because I f—ing changed light bulbs in my house. It’s because of something collective’.”

I think that is the wrong attitude many people have.  Can I really make an impact if I take a green shower or reduce my paper consumption by printing on both sides of the paper?  The answer is yes, it does make a difference, just because if everyone would think that they wouldn’t do it because no one is doing it or that their contribution wouldn’t matter, nothing would change.  When we all make a small change, we set examples for others to follow, and it does have an impact.

Hmmm….that is news to me.  I always believed that America’s core values were hard work, freedom, and meritocracy.  If all Americans did is hunt and fish, we will be a bunch of hunters and gatherers, not the most powerful nation on earth.

What kind of moron is this guy?  I guess he should just keep his mouth shut because he knows nothing about America.  Plus, it is a fact that indiscriminate hunting and fishing will simply destroy our ecosystem and cause enormous damage to our country.

It will be a sad day for (apart from Americans) animals and wildlife in America if Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is elected as the vice president. Apart from doing everything possible to destroy the environment in Alaska through her irresponsible call for drilling in ANWR, she has also promoted merciless killing of wolves (through a monetary incentive using taxpayer dollars).  In this photo the so-called hockey mom Sarah Palin attempts to prove that somehow unless you mercilessly kill helpless animals you are not a real woman.  I thought real women were nurturing creatures that provided comfort and protection to the weakest and vulnerables.

Previously I talked about how to give up meat just once a week to make a positive impact on the environment (yes there are 10 pounds burgers being sold in restaurants).  I have friends for whom it is inconceivable that there can be a meal without meat or that human beings can live without consuming a big piece of steak on their dinner plate each night.  The reality is that probably billions of people do not eat meat either because they are too poor to afford it or increasingly for health or environment of animal rights issues.

One of the easiest ways to become a vegetarian eventually is to become a flexitarian first.  A flexitarian is one who is flexible.  She can survive mostly on a vegetarian diet but when she feels like it or is at a party/restaurant where she may not have a choice, she just orders a meat dish.

Now Dawn Jackson Blatner has an excellent book called “The Flexitarain Diet — The Mostly Vegetarian Way To Lose Weight, Be Healthier, Prevent Disease, And Add Years To Life” on living a flexitarian lifestyle.  I have been a flexitarian now for over 15 years and I am in excellent health.  I do not think I have seen a doctor for an illness during this period.  My BMI is very low, and while I exercise regularly and watch what I eat, I would definitely say that eating fiber-rich and low calorie vegetable dishes definitely helps.  I have no scientific evidence that my diet is prevening me from getting any diseases or putting me on a trajectory of living longer, I do know that it is possible to live well and enjoy a variety of great dishes without using any meat at all.

I think people can disagree on the success and necessity of the Iraq war, but what is undeniable is that a war-like approach to a problem can often help in mobilizing resources, motivating people, and getting things done in a timely manner.

Now of course there are many Americans in denial about global warming but most people without any ideological agenda are convinced that our planet is in trouble and they are already taking action on their own by taking green vacations, fighting pollutants, eating less meat, buying used things, using less disposables, reducing consumption, and taking greener showers.

I think the time has come to take a war like attitude to fighting climate change.

It is common in any household to have common over-the-counter drugs expire (it is best not to use drugs after their expiry date).  Similarly, when you get a prescription filled and get well before the full set of drugs is consumed, you might end up with surplus medication.

One common habit is to simply throw these drugs in the toilet, but recent research shows that these drugs are now contaminating our water supply.  Since most filtration systems are not designed to remove pharmaceuticals, do not be surprised that men may be consuming female hormones and babies are taking drugs meant for adults.  While the amounts are still small, over a period of time these very potent drugs can do a lot of harm.

So what is the safe way to dispose of unused drugs?

1. Unused OTC drugs should be thrown in the regular garbage and the plastic/glass bottles should be recycled.
2. Ask your pharmacist when you get your prescription drugs.  If you get no answer, throw them in the garbage.
3. Remember that syrups and drops should also not be put in the drain but simply drained in your regular kitchen garbage.

Pope Benedict XVI has urged tourists to respect the environment.  He says tourism depends greatly on pristine environments and the industry is among the first to suffer from the “improper use” of natural resources.  I am not Catholic but this is one message that I commend the Pope for sending out.  Even if just the Catholics follow his message, we would have a much greener planet.

So how can you take an eco-vacation?

1. Pick green hotels and inns.  Many resorts these days are recycling a lot more or employing other programs to conserve energy and cut down on waste.  If the hotel does not mention their environmental practices on their website, ask them before booking.  If they are not doing anything and you will NOT make a booking because of them, tell them so, and hopefully, that will motivate them to change.
2. Just because you are on vacation does not mean that you can waste.  Try to use towels for several days, conserve water and electricity, and ask the management how else can you make your vacation green.
3. If possible, stay closer to the tourist sites and use public transport rather than renting a car.  If you need to cover a wider area, consider renting bikes.