During Saturday morning youth soccer games my father would slowly walk the perimeter of the field, hands clasped behind his back, picking up trash and occasionally giving me advice on the game. At the time I questioned why he didn’t join the other parents in the stands, but these days, when people ask me about my personal ecological motivations, about why I started www.MakeMeSustainable.com and why I blog on the environment, those soccer games are what come to mind.

We face a daunting task ahead in addressing climate change. Since the industrial revolution we have manufactured, produced, and burned energy (primarily fossil fuels) in order to advance society and the economy. In the 20th century, developing economies such as China and India joined the industrial boom, further contributing to the growing problem of global warming. Now, in the 21st century, with millions of private cars on the road and coal power plants sprouting up daily, it’s clear that we must be proactive in the fight to reverse the damage we’ve done (and continue to do) to our planet, or accept the dire consequences of inaction.

Despite the incredible accomplishments of climate crusaders like Al Gore, I feel real change can only come from communal action. Individual actions, corporate best practices, and political dedication must come together in order for us to achieve lasting results. Together.com provides a rare venue for tangible action and dialogue from the consumer, corporate, and political realms to take place; initiatives like Together.com are a pivotal part of the road map for an ecologically sound future, bringing many voices to the table.

My goal with Together.com is to drive awareness and action into our everyday decisions. Small changes in our daily routines, such as using reusable coffee mug, carpooling, and recycling, are the first steps towards the fundamental behavioral change necessary to make a difference. When we do have to purchase products, we should look to green alternatives which minimize our impact. I applaud the support and leadership of Mr. Gore, Tony Blaire and Governor Schwarzenegger in the Together.com community and encourage every member of Together.com to recognize that your involvement is just as important as theirs. Together we stand the chance to reverse the effects of climate change and ensure a healthier planet for generations to come.

This blog is designed to explore the potential for individuals to make a difference by simply shifting our daily behavior. Enjoy the blog, and feel free to comment often and share your own experiences.

David Delcourt is the co-founder and COO of www.MakeMeSustainable.com, a Web site dedicated facilitating the connection between people’s desire to help the environment with their ability to do so. From his high school days in Asheville, NC to the present, he has been an active environmentalist and advocate for ecological consciousness on the political level. David has been quoted in various periodicals including the Boston Globe, the Boston Herald, the Weekly Dig and numerous blogs, and his writing has been featured in the Huffington post and FoundRead.com. He was featured in BusinessWeek’s January 2008 special “Switching to Green Jobs” alongside long time hero, Al Gore. Prior to founding MakeMeSustainable, David worked in natural resources finance and in economic consulting.

If you visit the Cambridge, MA area, you can generally find David in the bike lane.