Green Communication

We are rapidly approaching this year's Earth Day celebration. In the twenty years since this event was created, there has been growing talk about and debate over the many environmental realignments that have been and are occurring to our planet as a result of climate change. I, for one, am one of many who believe climate change or global warming is real and is being exacerbated as a result of the actions of mankind. Thus, I also support innovations in such areas as green technology and green economics - to name a few - in that they represent policy changes and actions in important areas that are more friendly to the environment. I believe communication can and should be another area or field where efforts can be made to address pollution.

It is my proposal that as creatures that communicate every moment of every day, all people everywhere should make a pledge on Earth Day 2010 that they will help reduce the noise pollution in the world by talking more civilly with each other. Let us go one day without calling other people names, without shouting at others, without questioning another person's motivation, without question another person's character, without twisting the truth, and without talking over another person or not giving them the courtesy of listening. By being true to such a pledge, mutual respectability with rule the day and, as a possible result, we may actually witness a sharp drop in tensions that seem to be dividing those of opposing ideologies, persuasions, backgrounds, affiliations, and priorities. Even for just a day.

Such a pledge may seem silly and naive. After all, since childhood so many of us on a regular basis have been told by parents and teachers that we need to be "nice" to each other. Perhaps honoring such a pledge - even for one day - might give us adults a bit more credibility when the youngsters in our lives see that we are doing more than just talking the talk. It is one way of demonstrating that there are few more powerful combinations in the world than words matched by deeds. Go Earth Day! And go Green Communication!