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How to make Promises to the Earth

• Decide on what earth-affecting behavior you want to change.
• Use one of the suggestions below or create your own. If you create your own, consider starting with I promise the earth and ending with Thank you.
• Stand before the Mississippi; speak your promise into the microphone. Your recorded voice becomes part of our community's chorus of promises.

Simple Promises: I promise the earth I will buy compact fluorescent light bulbs. I promise the earth I will install a water-saving showerhead. I promise the earth I will buy locally grown and organic food. I promise the earth I will eat two meat-free meals each week. I promise the earth I will take public transportation or carpool to work at least twice a week. I promise the earth to not buy items that come in excessive or non-recyclable packaging.

Promises for All Ages: I promise the earth I will turn off the lights when I leave a room. I promise the earth I will turn off the water when I brush my teeth. I promise the earth I will learn more about how to live a greener life. I promise to give away things I don't need anymore so someone else can continue to use them.

Be Poetic with Your Promise:

To create waste is to create sadness. I promise the earth that I will recycle and reuse--add care, add hope, add happiness, add more life to life.

I promise the earth to know water. I drink it in and clean myself and see its movement. Life's flow, common perfection, I will not waste.

Dear Earth, I'm sorry for causing you pain. I promise to do better. Thank you for all that you give us.

The sky belongs to us all. The waters belong to us all. I promise the earth I will work to reclaim the commons for us all.

Create your own promise