The Burke family used a drying rack for two months instead of using the dryer. Our teenage daughters were less than pleased in the beginning but we all got used to it... and we noticed a decrease in our electric bill.

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 The message this month is something most of us have heard before "Keep It Simple" and "Just Do It."  That is what I had in mind a few months ago when I proposed an eco-friendly contest to our community. The challenge presented was for individuals and families to decide on one earth friendly action and incorporate it into your lifestyle for at least a month. Upon completion, let the Shelburne News know through an email to news@shelburnenews.com (with or without your name). All participants will be entered into a drawing for earth friendly prizes on Earth day, April 22.

I called Margo Callaghan, Shelburne News editor last week eager to learn whom she might have heard from and sheepishly she told me, "No one has responded yet." Hmmmm...I had not expected that not one person would have taken on this challenge. Are we all too busy? Are we all procrastinators?  Are we taking steps but not sharing our actions?  Do we even care?  All these thoughts swirled through my head.

The media headlines this week have focused on the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan and now the radiation leak catastrophe. We cannot help but feel for the Japanese people who are trying to cope with something so immense. Closer to home, last Sunday's headlines in the Burlington Free Press read "Toxic Spills Hit Home."  This article spoke of a Toxic Action Group who identified the many hazardous sites in Vermont. Many of these are the result of spills and gasoline leaks and are at risk of polluting groundwater, surface water, and indoor air at businesses and home.

When faced with news from Japan or closer to home, I cannot help but feel a more pressing need to do something. While there are many things beyond our control, like waiting for more action from our government, or more time in our busy lives, there remains a lot that individual citizens can do.

I continue to believe that the collective actions of individuals make a difference. I admire the work of Wangari Muta Maathai from Kenya, Africa who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for her grassroots efforts toward sustainable living. In 1976, she developed a broad-based grassroots organization whose primary focus was to plant trees to conserve the environment and improve the quality of life. Through the "green belt movement," she assisted women in planting more than 20 million trees. This movement spread to many other African countries. For me, Maathai epitomizes the belief that we can make a difference in our small but important actions.

There is still time to participate in this ECO-Challenge as April 22 is more than 30 days away. This even gives a few extra days for those of you who may be thinking about what to do; some time to decide. We can't stop earthquakes, tsunami's or radiation leaks but we can make lifestyle changes that reduce our carbon footprint. Collectively these actions matter!

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world."  Margaret Mead (used with permission).

Margo is ready and waiting to hear from you and I know that she doesn't want to tell me the next time I call that there are still no responses to our challenge. "Keep It Simple" and "Just Do It."