Stay Healthy, Stay Green

Last week, countries all over the world celebrated Earth Day hosting a variety of awareness activities and rallies – from Bulgaria to Columbia to the United States.  The National Mall, between the U.S. Capitol and Washington monument, hosted thousands at the Earth Day Climate Rally on Sunday, April 25, 2010 with live performances featuring artists such as Sting, John Legend, and the Roots as well as notable speakers like Reverend Jesse Jackson, James Cameron and Bill Demong.  Of the messages emphasized, one in particular caused me to further reflect and assess into my own lifestyle and habits – how to create long-term sustaining change. As a consequence, I believe that Earth Day celebrations should be limited to one day or one week out of the year, as it is more of a vague reminder.  In contrast, if we actually care and want real change to happen, we each have to realize that changing ingrained habits is a long and arduous process which takes significant amounts of time, effort, action, and will power. Of course, then we need to act on them. Action is the key; similarly, the same commitment to change health behaviors into more positive, healthy choices takes time, effort, action and will power.

For those unaware about the current efforts in staying healthy and creating clean renewable energy, please check out Green Revolution, Inc at https://www.egreenrevolution.com/. The mission of Green Revolution, Inc. is to create clean renewable energy by harnessing human activity, specifically, the conversion of mechanical energy into stored, usable energy.  In fact, one of the major sports clubs in Washington, D.C. has recently offered a spin class that does just that.  Essentially, an individual who works out using this new technology not only improves their health well-being, but also produces and stores energy to power small devices.  Furthermore, the company estimates that an average class over the course of one year can potentially light 72 homes for one month’s time.  Imagine the collective impact a community can have in reducing its energy usage.  Imagine the sense of empowerment and accomplishment to have individuals in the community working out to achieve personal health and fitness goals while simultaneously reducing their energy burdens.  I feel strongly that this is just the beginning of innovative technology that synthesizes science with practical and impact-full application.  I am personally excited about the future of public health and I motivated as ever to maintain my health while also remaining cognizant of the environment I leave for those around me and for future generations that follow me.

If you have any ideas on staying healthy and green, I would love to hear from you!  Send me an email at ramonl@menshealthnetwork.net.