Andrew Couch Speaking

I went to the first 1020: Think Globally, ACT Locally speaking today. Again, it was just for the requirement, I didn’t even know what the topic was….I knew it had to do with water issues or something. Well, as usual, these readings turn out to be more interesting than I thought. The topic wasn’t water, but alternative fuels. I’ve heard that story before about a guy powering a car with vegetable oil; turns out this was that guy-Andrew Couch. He didn’t talk about that part much, but rather what we can do to save power and resources.

The information that got everyone’s attention was the fact that there is petroleum in EVERYTHING we eat; yes, eat. It’s kind of hard to wrap your brain around that….it’s not seen, smelled, or noticeable in any way on our food. It’s just one of those things that’s there, and you try not to think about it…

When he was speaking, I (probably like everyone else) was thinking how wasteful I was. How much stuff do I waste in a day? Well I turn the water off when I brush my teeth. No use leaving it on when the toothbrush is in my mouth. My whole family reuses water bottles; but then again my mom does buy more bottled water occasionally. We all drink can drinks, guilty there. I probably shower for longer than I need to. I go through so much paper it’s not even funny.

I always figured I was someone who didn’t waste a lot, but guess I have to reconsider that. I think, just as long as people aren’t too frivolous, and don’t waste money on things they don’t need, we can conserve what we have, at least a little while longer.