All Things Green

Ok, so I have asthma. I was born and raised in East Harlem New York City, only moving to Virginia a little less than 10 years ago. Supposedly East Harlem has one of the highest incidence of asthma in the USA. Go figure why I have asthma.

I never even knew I had this condition until I was an adult. We moved to Virginia by way of Washington, DC. We lived in DC for almost two years — long story but my wife is from DC so we were near her family, then her dad took a turn for the worst health wise and eventually passed. Anyway, when we were in DC is when I actually learned that I had asthma. I had several brushes with death when I suddenly could not breath. Let me tell you, it is the worst feeling I have ever experienced. I think death by drowning has got to be one of the worst deaths because when I was not able to breath there was nothing I could do. I was powerless and almost lifeless. My wife had to rush me to the hospital. My asthma is so bad I have my own respirator.

Ok, let me back track a decade or two. I smoked cigarettes for a very long time, getting up to two packs per day. I quit when the price of cigarettes was approaching $1.00 I could not see myself paying so much money to kill myself. By that time I was ready to quit anyway. I can not believe how much a pack of cigarettes costs today, and yet people still smoke.

So perhaps my asthma stemmed from my cigarette smoking. If not, it was exacerbated by it. My younger brother had asthma as a kid and he never smoked. He no longer has asthma and has never smoked. I think two of my sisters also have asthma so maybe it is hereditary.

So what does my asthma and cigarette smoking have to do with All Things Green? Simply that cigarette smoking not only slowly kills the individual, second hand smoke affects all those near the smoking person. that have to inhale the smoke. And, believe it or not, the smoke is no good for the environment. With millions of people smoking around the world that smok along with the exhaust of cars, buses and trucks affect our quality of life.

If you read my first post, I started this journal by stating that I was going to do my part, no matter how small, to help save the planet. Writing about my negative experiences with cigarette smoking is another way of doing that. Again, as I posted in my first post if even one person reads these words and takes a step toward helping the environment, and quiting cigarette smoking counts as helping the environment, than I am happy and in fact am doing God’s work.

There are scientist researching the effects of global warming and all the things that contribute to it. There are doctors researching the effects of global warming on all living things, and others researching the effects of cigarette smoking on individuals and/or the environment. We do not all have to be doctors or scientist. We can do our part simply by changing our individual way of living. Using less plastic bottles, quiting cigarette smoking, using energy saving appliances and light bulbs, recycling. These are things we each can do and that will affect the environment.

Planting a tree is a great way to help the planet. Last year (2007) was an extremely horrible year for trees. With all the brush fires in California, millions of acres of trees and all things green were destroyed. Trees filter the air we breath we need trees. However, in these days that we live most people are just to busy to go out and plant a tree. I know I am. So I joined a totally free campaign were for every e card I send to a friend or colleague and they accept it a virtual tree gets planted on my blog (see the little box on the right with the tree on it). But even more important than a virtual tree being planted, a very real tree gets planted. Read about the United Nations Mokugift initiative here.

Well thats it for now. Until next time, keep it green.

Peace!