The Day Job

I’ve never been much of an environmentalist. Sure, I’m concerned about the environment, making sure the world is a good place for future generations to enjoy, but I never made a conscious effort to do anything about it.

Then I was promoted to an Environmental position in my company. I have no training in it. I have a History degree, people! Yet, I’m the person in charge of making sure my company adheres to all federal and state environmental laws when it comes to water, air, hazardous waste, and non-hazardous waste.

Probably the scariest thing I’ve heard is how things were done in the 70s. When they talk about it, I plug my ears and go “lalalalalala”. My job puts me in a constant battle against production. Just like with the safety department who fights against unsafe practices for the sake of getting a job done faster, I have to fight to make sure we’re not putting the environment at risk.

Needless to say I’m not a very popular person at work. People tend to look at me with suspicion when I arrive at a facility with camera in hand. I’m asked constantly what I’m doing there. Things have gotten better, but challenges still come from administration about why we have to do things this way, or why we have to do things that way.

Am I gung-ho about the environment? Not really. I’m not fanatic about it, but the Earth is ours to protect and nurture for generations to come. It’s our responsibility to do what we can to make sure they have a safe place to live.