There are many important issues facing Nevadans these days. Our state reflects several serious trends that are occurring on a global scale -- energy, climate change, fresh water -- the complete list is extensive. Sometimes it's good to zoom in on the little things we can do to make a difference. Changing to more efficient lighting or using less water, for example. Collectively, they can create major results.

The opposite is also true. We must keep our eye on the big picture to maintain perspective and to see if the choices we make as individuals are moving our society in the right direction. The focus here, in this column, is always on green living. It's a holistic approach to our lifestyle that merges good living with good stewardship. I use the term holistic because everything we do is connected and interdependent.

Let's take energy as an example. Much of the electricity we use is generated by burning coal. Is our awareness such that we consider the consequences when we choose to live in a huge home that requires lots of energy? Do we even think about the impact when we turn on more lights than we really need? Do we fully understand that burning coal creates greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change, and that it also contributes to the toxic accumulation of mercury in fish?

We're aware of the results when people are impacted by severe hurricanes. We are dismayed to hear that mercury dulls the learning capacity of our children. It is imperative that we see the connections of our actions. With awareness comes responsibility.

In looking at the big picture for our state, it is clear that we have some major issues to deal with. In almost every case, it is the sheer number of human beings that turns a basic need into a huge problem. I think it is important to have more open discussion about the impact of population, in much the same way we discuss the impact of technology. In fact, the combination of over 6 billion people on the planet with the power of modern technology has become a potent mix that has put the future of all life in our hands.

The "Living Planet Report 2006" was recently released by the World Wildlife Fund. It provides a valuable perspective on where we are at. In the document's foreward, WWF Director General James P. Leape wrote:

"The Living Planet Report 2006 confirms that we are using the planet's resources faster than they can be renewed -- the latest data available (for 2003) indicate that humanity's Ecological Footprint, our impact upon the planet, has more than tripled since 1961. Our footprint now exceeds the world's ability to regenerate by about 25 percent.

"The consequences of our accelerating pressure on Earth's natural systems are both predictable and dire. The other index in this report, the Living Planet Index, shows a rapid and continuing loss of biodiversity -- populations of vertebrate species have declined by about one third since 1970. This confirms previous trends.

"The message of these two indices is clear and urgent: We have been exceeding the Earth's ability to support our lifestyles for the past 20 years, and we need to stop. We must balance our consumption with the natural world's capacity to regenerate and absorb our wastes. If we do not, we risk irreversible damage."

There it is in black and white -- nonjudgmental, nonpartison, nonbiased -- just the facts, along with plenty of data in the form of charts, graphs, maps and tables. I encourage you to read the full document. It is available online at www.panda.org

There are many important issues facing Nevadans these days. Our state reflects several serious trends that are occurring on a global scale -- energy, climate change, fresh water -- the complete list is extensive. Sometimes it's good to zoom in on the little things we can do to make a difference. Changing to more efficient lighting or using less water, for example. Collectively, they can create major results.

The opposite is also true. We must keep our eye on the big picture to maintain perspective and to see if the choices we make as individuals are moving our society in the right direction. The focus here, in this column, is always on green living. It's a holistic approach to our lifestyle that merges good living with good stewardship. I use the term holistic because everything we do is connected and interdependent.

Let's take energy as an example. Much of the electricity we use is generated by burning coal. Is our awareness such that we consider the consequences when we choose to live in a huge home that requires lots of energy? Do we even think about the impact when we turn on more lights than we really need? Do we fully understand that burning coal creates greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change, and that it also contributes to the toxic accumulation of mercury in fish?

We're aware of the results when people are impacted by severe hurricanes. We are dismayed to hear that mercury dulls the learning capacity of our children. It is imperative that we see the connections of our actions. With awareness comes responsibility.

In looking at the big picture for our state, it is clear that we have some major issues to deal with. In almost every case, it is the sheer number of human beings that turns a basic need into a huge problem. I think it is important to have more open discussion about the impact of population, in much the same way we discuss the impact of technology. In fact, the combination of over 6 billion people on the planet with the power of modern technology has become a potent mix that has put the future of all life in our hands.

The "Living Planet Report 2006" was recently released by the World Wildlife Fund. It provides a valuable perspective on where we are at. In the document's foreward, WWF Director General James P. Leape wrote:

"The Living Planet Report 2006 confirms that we are using the planet's resources faster than they can be renewed -- the latest data available (for 2003) indicate that humanity's Ecological Footprint, our impact upon the planet, has more than tripled since 1961. Our footprint now exceeds the world's ability to regenerate by about 25 percent.

"The consequences of our accelerating pressure on Earth's natural systems are both predictable and dire. The other index in this report, the Living Planet Index, shows a rapid and continuing loss of biodiversity -- populations of vertebrate species have declined by about one third since 1970. This confirms previous trends.

"The message of these two indices is clear and urgent: We have been exceeding the Earth's ability to support our lifestyles for the past 20 years, and we need to stop. We must balance our consumption with the natural world's capacity to regenerate and absorb our wastes. If we do not, we risk irreversible damage."

There it is in black and white -- nonjudgmental, nonpartison, nonbiased -- just the facts, along with plenty of data in the form of charts, graphs, maps and tables. I encourage you to read the full document. It is available online at www.panda.org.

This is why I feel so passionate about green living. What could be more important than human beings living within the carrying capacity of their own home?

I often refer to voting with our dollars for things that work to make a difference. This week we have a chance to vote with our hearts and minds for candidates that can do the same. Please consider the big picture when casting your vote. It's the responsible thing to do.

Steve Rypka is a green living consultant and president of GreenDream Enterprises, specializing in renewable energy, green building, alternative transportation and lifestyle choices for both residential and commercial clients. The company is committed to helping people live lighter on the planet. Steve can be reached via email at steve@greendream.biz or at >www.greendream.bi