Our responsibilities are straightforward - but hardly simple

I came across this letter from Ken Cook, President and Co-Founder Environmental Working Group (ewg.org). This is exactly how I feel about my 3 year old! Well, the responsibilities are a tall order for any parent. You can find the letter in their 2008 annual report here. The same is pasted below

-----

Watching a toddler take command of his world is magical. And humbling. As I observe my 17-month-old scramble and squeal through his daily agenda, I realize Cal is teaching me a lot more than I’m ever going to teach him.

Yank pots and pans out of kitchen cabinet with a clamor: check!

Grab dirt out of houseplant and sprinkle over rug: on it!

Chase a panicked Bennie the Cat scampering down the hallway: done!

In tough times, our kids remind us to take stock, keep what matters and forget about the rest. They don’t need a lot of complicated or expensive stuff. Is there really anything better than leaping into a pile of leaves or watching a bug or making a cave out of a big box?

They expect us to take care of the basics. Clean air and water, healthy food, safe homes, schools and playgrounds and an unclouded future.

Our responsibilities are straightforward – but hardly simple. Only by working very hard and working together can we hope to rid our water and food of pesticides, pollutants and industrial chemicals, find household goods free of invisible synthetics and conserve our countryside, rivers and streams and energy sources.

I’m proud to say that with your support, despite political adversity and lean economic times, Environmental Working Group has made great strides towards those goals in 2008. In 2009 and the years to come, we’re compiling even more impressive accomplishments.

When you’re looking for a good value and some serious game-changing strategies, I hope you’ll think about EWG. We’re staying lean, playing smart and aim to do nothing less than amazing work in the public interest.

----