We can easily be overwhelmed by "it's never enough" and "we're doomed." This Earth Day, I'm remembering what my grandparents did—nothing crazy and overwhelming—but simple things like trip chaining, buying things to last, re using what we have—and keeping it close to home. If I can incorporate more and more of these things, I know I'll sleep a little better at night. (I wrote about it over at my place.)

April 22nd is also the birthday of legendary progressive leader Vladimir Lenin. Coincidence? I think not.

Wealthy societies are far more environmentally conscious than poor societies. The reason should be obvious: environmental protection is expensive, and until an economy reaches a certain level, the people simply can't afford things such as sewage systems and controls on point source pollution.

Therefore the single best thing any of us can do for the environment is to do what we can to increase the wealth of not only our society, but also that of every developing nation who have not yet reached the level of wealth that affords them the luxury of prioritizing environmental protections.

In concrete terms, that means:

1) we should as a national policy ensure the free flow of goods across borders so that developing countries have access to our markets. 2) we should individually consume as much as we can afford, because what is consumed must first be produced. The act of production is the act of job and wealth creation.

I know this is a bit counterintuitive, and flies in the face of the "conservation" ethic. But consider: if everyone in the U.S. actually DID "conserve," (meaning consume less) then U.S. GNP would plunge, creating joblessness not just in the U.S., but worse, in developing nations who then will more slowly (if ever) climb into the phase of economic maturity where they can afford environmental protections.

So, the best thing you can do for Earth Day is be as productive as you can possibly be, and use the income that results from your productivity to consume and invest, thereby growing the global economy and quickening the pace by which third world and developing economies can afford to join the ranks of the environmentally conscious.

The best thing I've done is start riding an EgoVehicle last year...check out egovehicles.com They are all electric, ride in the bike lanes, go up to 20 miles per hour, and get up to 25 miles on one charge. Plug into any standard outlet and charge fully in 3 hours from a dead battery. They are fun to ride and if you put collapsible racks on the sides and a basket on the front, you can grocery shop/run errands/etc. I love mine and I don't drive now except when the weather is total crap or I have to haul my kayak somewhere....go EGO!