EARTH DAY (April 22)
WITH ED BEGLEY, JR.
EARTH DAY (April 22)
WITH ED BEGLEY, JR.
The following is an interview between Carolyn Chase, from the Earth Day Network, and actor/environmentalist, Ed Begley, Jr.
CAROLYN CHASE: Ed - you are known as an environmentalist who walks his talk by the wayyou live your daily life and the service you provide as a citizen servingon local committees and doing volunteer work ... When did you first startvolunteering for environmental causes?
ED BEGLEY, JR.: 1970, which was also the same year as the first Earth Day.CC: Why are you an environmentalist?
EB: It feels right, and it also is entirely logical.CC: Was there any one event or incident that "made you" an environmentalist?
EB: The lunar landing, the pictures that we saw for the first time, of ourbeautiful, one-of-a-kind, water planet.CC: A big part of Earth Day is getting new people involved...Why shouldsomeone be an environmentalist?
EB: Because we as a species sit here today, because most people before ushad a sense of living within the laws of nature.
CC: What have you done forEarth Day in the past?
EB: I don't buy gasoline. I don't use city power. I recycle, compost andgrow a lot of my own food. I ride my bike, drive my electric car and takepublic transportation.CC: What will you be doing for Earth Day this year?
EB: Public Speaking, media events etc.CC: Why should anyone care about Earth Day?
EB: It's symbolic of how many indigenous people have been living forthousands of years and how we should be living the other 364 days of theyear.CC: What do you think are the top most pressing environmental issuestoday? Why?
EB: Population issues, this is the big picture concern, Unpolluted water,we need it several times per day, Clean air quality, we need it severaltimes per minute.CC: Have you noticed any changes since you first heard of Earth Day?
EB: Some good. Some not so good. Air quality in Los Angeles is better, inMexico City it is worse. Tough environmental laws help individuals andindustry alike.CC: For the LA Times you demonstrated you could fit a weeks worth of trashinto the glove compartment of your electric VW Rabbit...Ed, Is this arealistic example for people to follow?
EB: Absolutely. I have a very comfortable lifestyle and I use very little.CC: If you could tell someone to just do one thing, what would that onething be?
EB: "AA" is the answer . . . Avoid Automobiles.But people can be bigger than just one thing. As people who care abouttheir quality of life and the health and well-being of ourselves and other,we must be proactive in support of environmental protections.CC: Why do you believe that individuals can make a difference?
EB: Because, as Ghandi said, 'when people lead, governments will follow.'Written by: Carolyn Chase
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