Pledges never sleep

A pledge, once made, is an active agent out there in the world doing good. Even when you are not fully active in bringing it about, a good action, backed by good intention, brings its own reward. My small regular cash dana (generosity) pledge to the Wilderness Society, begun only a few months ago, has already added to the success of several worthwhile environmental campaigns:

"Dear David, As 2009 comes to an end, we have a special message we’d like to share with you. From the Australian Sea Lions, who can now look forward to greater protection inside the newly announced Marine Protected Areas that make up 44% of South Australia’s waters, thank you. From the majestic River Red Gums, for whom you helped create 100,000 hectares of new national parks in Victoria, thank you. From the spectacular Kimberley, that no longer has to fear mineral exploration from Bauxite miner Norsk-Hydro in the Mitchell Plateau, thank you. And, from future generations thank you for daring to have the courage to stand up for a better environment and being part of Australia’s largest environmental group. We couldn’t do it without you."

Another easy pledge calling for action on aboriginal health is on the Oxfam site. Click it, sign it. Live the experience of making a difference.

Rob's next pledge

After raising $60 for Movemeber, I'm on a mission to make some environmental difference.
Thank you to my beautiful Mastery friends that donated.
I pledge to cycle at least 20% of my commute to work. (That's one day a week.)
I hope to do more as I harden up a bit more.

My first pledge

Hi all. Wow to what's already pledged. I'm buying a few Keepcups for Xmas presents.
My first pledge is to make a will by the end of this year. I'm intestate - can't keep acting as though I'll live forever and this will definitely make a difference compared to what will happen without a will. I'm looking into Aboriginal charities, maybe the Aborigines Advancement League. I have a soft spot for Bung Yarnda (Lake Tyers) because I've heard the frustration first hand of those living there, especially regarding education for kids and opportunities for young people. I want to give my cabinetmaking tools to an Aboriginal apprentice. And probably give to International Women's Development Agency, or Oxfam.
This blog is PERFECT for me. I've been meaning to make a will for YEARS. Grins to all, Jan.

Gould League Pledge

The Gould League made a strong impression on me as a child. Their mission to record and preserve birdlife and the environment through education still resonates, especially now that climate change and threats to the environment are so pressing. The artwork of the current pledge is in the same style as on the membership certificate I had when I was a little bird-watcher, flicking through What Bird Is That? and getting all excited  when the pictures in the book seemed to come to life in the trees outside. At this moment there are magpies and honeyeaters and several other species nesting in trees around my flat in the heart of Balaclava. By making this pledge I reinforce the interest I have always had to protect these creatures and their environment. There are also pledges for kids, so another generation can carry on this tradition of making a difference for the environment.

Robert Joins Movember

My first pledge is to join Movember and raise money for the associated charities Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and beyond blue.To donate please go to the link Movember. Every contribution builds to make a difference.

Carbon calculator

Add up your energy use with this handy Cool It Calculator from the federal environment department. Work out how much you want to save in a reasonable time frame and pledge that! There is an alternative still up on ABC TV site. Go to Carbon Calculator.  To look at what action is being taken in Canberra, apart from providing calculators, the official government climate change initiatives link is in the Make a Difference list.

Snazzy Little Cup Beats Landfill

I have bought a KeepCup!! Our project has already given me the motivation to make a difference, so good on us. I predict that this snazzy little cup should save a lot of lids and coffee cups from landfill. According to the KeepCup website, in Australia, biodegradation of a paper cup can take 50 years or more. Makes me feel a little bit better for spending so much on coffee!!

Defining a Purpose

Just as trees grow and minds wander so we begin to define the purpose of our making a difference mission. All of this is temporary and can be changed or discarded entirely.

Saving Money and Electricity

As I was running out of my apartment yesterday, I realised in my own little way I had inadvertently been incorporating the Making a Difference way of thinking for several months now on a personal level.

As my living expenses seem to be sky rocketing and wages sadly not keeping in line with the hikes, I have been looking at ways to save on the old 'back pocket'. The bill which has sky rocketed has been my electricity bill. Which, to be honest...really peeved me! I now turn off all my appliances at the wall and leave nothing on standby, even at night. It's been amazing, having saved on average $30 per month! This was just a fairly normal usage of electricity with a TV, phone charger, hair dryer, stereo, kettle etc... you get the drift.

It has become a habit now with me turning everything off at the wall when finished and double checking when I leave the apartment. For the extra couple of seconds it takes me to do this I'm not only saving in a monetary way, I'm also saving the planet by not using unnecessary resources.

This really has been wonderful and I urge you all to take just a few seconds and join me on this...you may even be able to celebrate incorporating this MaD idea by having a few cheeky drinks at the end of the week with the money saved!! I say "Cheers all round!"