The Oprah Winfrey Show
Oprah's Best Life Series
Harpo Films
For One More Day
The Great Debaters
O, The Oprah Magazine
Subscribe Today
Oprah Radio
Oprah's Angel Network
Oprah's Book Club
You could call me a tree hugger. For a lot of people "thems fighting words" but not me. I grew up with a mom who recycled in the '70s. She used to save all our newspapers and Campbell's soup and Fresca cans, then drive them to a local place that recycled. At that time, curbside recycling? Forget it. Money back for your aluminum? Never heard of it. This was the era when people regularly threw garbage out car windows and no one talked about miles per gallon. Growing up in a house like I did, it became second nature to rinse out my bottles and hunt down a place to recycle them. I can't - truly, I cannot - throw a glass bottle or can in the trash to this day. I'll put it in my purse and take it home with me rather than stick it in the trash. (Recent embarrassing example - I went out to a restaurant and the waitress plunked a pretty heavy glass bottle of water on the table (tap water. I don't drink bottled water unless my only other option is licking from a puddle). When we were done, I took the bottle with me to take home and recyle. Seconds later, the waitress ran out to the street after me to demand her bottle back. She said they wash and re-use the bottles for customers - and shot me an "Are you crazy, lady?" look.) [Ed note: My mom also served whole wheat bread when everyone else was getting Wonder, and skim milk when other kids got chocolate. "Treats" consisted of oatmeal cookies and apples. In grade school, I would quietly chew my single oatmeal raisin cookie and stare as my friends pulled out little pudding containers and candy bars from their lunchbags. But back to the environment...]
Looking back on it, I'm happy my mom was so consciencious. I think my weight and health are better as a result. And I also got this life-long respect and concern for the environment. I don't take clean water, clean beaches, or clean air for granted. I write all this to give you a little back story about something that happened to me two years ago. We have plastic carry-out food containers here at the Harpo cafe and when I see people using plastic, I'm in the habit of politely trying to recommend they use paper (we have those Chinese food carry-out containers that I think are kind of chic) instead of plastic. So, as usual I was in line trying my best to be diplomatic with someone about her plastic carry-out when a fellow producer named Eric told me something I've never forgotten (it's only been two years, I know, but I will NEVER FORGET this information if I live to be 100) - he said "Do you know there's a swirl of plastic twice the size of Texas swirling in the Pacific Ocean? It never sinks. It's all this plastic that ended up in the ocean and because of the currents, just keeps moving and breaking down into smaller and smaller particles." I thought he was crazy, had misheard a story, or maybe bought into some crank spam message. Then, he sent me a link from the LA Times. In addition to the article, there was a video link showing a scientist cutting open an albatross on an island in the Pacific. He cut the bird open and this dead animal's stomach was completely full of ... plastic....all plastic....plastic bottle tops, twisties, bags, tiny pieces of every color. It is so disgusting I had to stop watching.
Since that day, I have not looked at a plastic fork, carry-out container or shampoo bottle the same. I don't want it to end up in some albatross or dolphin or whale.
April 22nd we're doing our Earth Day show. It's a topic close to my heart (clearly) and I asked the bosses if I could do it. They were kind enough to say "go for it." My goal for this show - convey the beauty and fragility of our planet while showing how SMALL CHANGES that are good for the environment can also save your family BIG MONEY. We're in the middle of putting together the best ideas from experts across the country, and getting all the latest information - and money-saving ideas - out there. I want to produce a show that will make both the whales and your wallets happy. Oh, and thanks for being my eco role-model, Mom!
- Caroline
and informing...you are a "natural" blogger. Wonder if that will ever become a subject in Colleg - How to Blog 101 but I digress. I am by no means a "hard-core" environmentalist but even I know that Plastics=EVIL. Just got an email about the potential dangers of drinking water from a plastic bottle left in the car as hot plastic gives off carcinogens. But I do think you are on the right path by encouraging people to do SMALL STEPS so they don't feel overwhelmed. We just bought a small compost bucket from Whole Foods adn I couldn't believe how much of the stuff you throw out should go in the compost bin. I read up to 40% of the landfill garbage could have been composted and I believe it! Good Luck with the Show.
You're so great! There are not many people in the world who slightly consider the environment. They could care less. Many think its too late or its simply not their problem to address. The truth is we all live in a precious and beautiful environment. Just like us, the planet is trying to survive by any means neccessary. As a result, many not so good things occur to us i.e. natural disasters. Keyword: Natural. It is natural for things to happen, but can we please prolong the longetivity of this gorgeous place we at times take for granted. My mom always encouraged me to turn off the water while I brused my teeth. She told me to always recycle. For the shower, there is a container in the bathtub that is filled with water while the shower warms up. She waters her plants with the leftover water. She tells me to turn off the water as I sud my body up with soap, unfortunately I cant seem to get this down...I get too cold. The fact remains, lets try to do things in favor of lasting existence for humans, animals and the earth. We are all worth it.I look forward to the Earth show.