If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention

I read this on a bumper sticker not so long ago, and it's become my mantra.

Here are a few things that outrage me these days:

Inner pollution
We have slowly, but surely, been poisoning ourselves by using everyday products. From parabens and SLS in our personal care products (see my upcoming article...) to Bisphenol A in plastics, and many, many more. And industries' responses to all the dangers: it's not been proven. There, there, dear consumer, don't worry. Those scientists are just trying to scare you. Well, I for one am starting to make some noise about this, if only to spare my daughters from breast cancer, reproductive problems, and any other number of health risks.

Food not fuel
In the hopes of easing their conscience, car drivers have been turning to ethanol fuel. They are seekind out the fuel that contains corn in order to feel more "green." Canada and US governments are encouraging the production of ethanol fuel. Unfortunately, this has caused a huge jump in the price of corn. Corn, as we all know, is food, and it is a staple in the diet of many people, especially those in Mexico. There, people have staged tortilla protests because the price of their food is now beyond the level that many can afford. All this coincides with global warming, which is causing record high temperatures. The high temps mess with corn production, and fewer and fewer areas in the world can now produce the crop. The high interest in corn by the ethanol producers paired with the lower crop yield are contributing to unaffordable table corn.

The poor shall not inherit the earth
Speaking of global warming, the effects of this, the greatest of all plagues, will be felt most keenly by the poor, reports the Globe and Mail. But what else is new? Those in developing countries will feel the effects of the warming of the globe most, with growing deserts and hotter temps. Their food sources will be meagre; disease will be rampant; water will run out; entire swaths of land will be lost to the sea. Those of us responsible for all this, those of us who drive cars; heat and light our homes with dirty fuels; use more water than is necessary; consume clothing, furniture, telephones, computers, paper, and other "goods" at rates that are unsustainable; we will feel it by having to shell out more money for things like fuel and food. And we will complain. And they will die.