My Environmental Pledge: Preferring Second hand books over newly printed books and e-books
(Entry for BE the sparks environmental pledge contest)
I am a big fan of reading books. It all started when people associated with the Reader’s Association of the Philippines gave me a book when I was in Elementary. I received a book entitled “The Ghost Eye”. The plot of the book centers on a domestic cat with a third eye being bothered every time it sees a ghost. The gratification that I felt after finishing the book triggered me to read more books. This is evident as I exchange books with some of my friends and classmates. I also read books in the library. Despite the lack of money to enable me to buy new books, it does not stop me to read.
Reading books is like somebody touching your life as if you’re in the situation but it’s only in the book. It opens your horizon and understanding about life. One reason that my best friend and I are still best friends for almost a decade is because of our interest in reading books. Our passion in reading somehow sustain our friendship. When my allowance started to increase when I entered college, I tried to save money to buy new books. During that time, I would still prefer books in a mint condition than the second hand ones. Why would I prefer the second hand book than the new ones? I would love to be the first owner of the book.
However, my mindset changed when I started to have a concern for our environment. I learned a lot about the environment when I joined several volunteer opportunities in Environmental NGOs like CEAE (Center for Environmental Awareness and Education and WWF (World Wide Fund). I was awakened about the conditions of our environment and little by little, I changed my lifestyle to attune for the call of saving the Mother Nature. I know to myself that if I will continuously buying new books, it will lose more trees. However, I do not want to stop reading books. It gave me the idea that instead of buying a new book, why not stick to second hand ones. Aside from second hand books are cheap, it also lessens our contribution to our carbon footprint by not cutting additional trees. Even though only 1 % of the trees are being used in manufacturing books, it still has an impact to the environment. Book Hunt, a second hand bookstore located in Katipunan has the same advocacy as mine. They are not only advocating that books should be selling everywhere like in streets, they also believe that selling second hand books will save more trees. I also learned to appreciate the physical characteristics of second hand books. It is interesting to imagine that the previous owner of the second hand book and you are sharing the same cause because he/she sold or donated the book for our environment. Also, having a second hand book is like collecting antique furniture, it’s like the feeling that you’re in the era when the book was first bought.
There are suggestions that instead of buying new books why not try to switch to e-books, it is environment-friendly as to compare to books being sold in bookstores. However, there are several researches revealed that e-books have more destructive impacts than ordinary books. Unlike books that can last for decades, electronic gadgets like e-reader can only last for years. Moreover, it will be added as one of the environmental wastes when disposed. I am not saying that I will not patronize new books and e-books but if it is the last choice; then there is nothing wrong with it. We should only regulate ourselves in using our natural resources.
People are having difficulty in intertwining their personal goals with the care for the environment. It is confusing on which will be the priority. My suggestion will be you only need to compromise (in a good way) to come up with new solutions. There is a pressure to jive with the present technology, globalization, etc.; however, we need to take steps for the survival of our environment. Buying second hand books over newly-printed books makes the earth a big favor while one enjoys the passion for reading. I already did my part, how about you?
