Sustainability vs. Social Norms

It is no secret that we need to work on reducing the waste that humans create in the world. Everyone for years has been told to 'reduce, reuse and recycle', but all too often we just go about our normal lives and don't go out of our way to better the planet. It's the old mentality of "if it's not convenient, then it's just not worth doing". This is a poisonous mindset but it bring to mind thoughts of actualization; will we ever, as humans (mainly as Americans), ever come together and put a stop to frivolous waste? Well, as years go on, it seems that things are getting easier by way of convenience. It seems as though every grocery store has recycled paper products available and many have organic or local produce departments. the government is even giving tax breaks as an incentive to make your home less energy dependent. last year, my parents installed three large solar panels on the roof of there house. between the panels themselves, the wiring and the tank that stored the excess energy, the whole project cost around ten thousand dollars. this is a lot to undertake at once, but they knew that once tax season rolled around they would get about six thousand of that back between the Massachusetts and federal government. In David Suzuki's Green Guide, the author talks about reducing your ecological footprint, so that everyone can live on the planet without stepping on too many toes (foot humor). My parents found a very active way to reduce their footprint, but it's just as easy for all of us regardless of our financial situation by contributing in more subtle ways.