Monday, March 31, 2008 Baumgart: Eco-friendly summer By Elisabeth Baumgart inkblots
SUMMER has officially started, ladies and gentlemen.
Nothing makes the arrival of summer more obvious than the repetitive airing of summer commercials (greasy hot men and women in skimpy swimwear on the beach drinking some random thirst quenching drink), the incessant desire to travel to extremely expensive beach locations (which are usually jam-packed), the need for cold beverages, and the ultimate need for fun summer activities.
And of course, let’s not forget the ever-painful sunburn and heatstroke everybody suffers from.
Yes, summer is here and it’s hotter than ever.
And by “hotter than ever”, I mean that it really is hotter than ever. But then again, we really shouldn’t be going around accusing global warming and pollution right now. After all, it’s summer and we should enjoy the heat (no matter how harmful it is becoming as of late).
So as industrial smoke, city pollution and other harmful gases continue to do their wonders on our slowly thinning ozone layer, it only seems right that half of our population now kicks back and relaxes under the harmful sunrays to earn that much needed tan.
These days, who needs to stay in the shade and try being a part of the solution to the global warming problem?
The polar bears and the melting snowcaps will just have to wait, because everybody is busy riding the cars and buses to beach resorts to get those desired tan lines and a splash of hopefully toxic waste-free ocean water.
Though riding a bike would be a healthy and eco-friendly choice this season, it won’t be one of the safest options any fun-loving adventure freaks would take.
With public roads teeming with drivers who are on a suicide mission, riding a bike on a hot summer day would easily spell disaster. And besides, if the cyclist has not yet passed out due to a heat stroke, then he’ll definitely have to put up with all those crazy public utility jeepney drivers out there.
But seriously, staying indoors would be a better option these days. It’s safer to stay indoors than braving the scorching heat of the sun.
It’s safer and you’re doing the environment a huge favor.
On a hot summer day like this one, staying in the comforts of one’s own home and eating iced confections is way better than suffering from a heatstroke or a painful sunburn.
And ultimately, you’d be doing the penguins and snow bears a huge favor. Those cuddly and extremely adorable (though deadly in the case of the snow bear) creatures would forever be in your debt.
