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I found this video while perusing the internet. It's really fascinating to see how much our World has changed, but it also captures Earth's beauty at its finest. While watching this video, I was inspired to help save this planet, even if it's just a small contribution, I hope it will do the same for you because everyone's small action will add up!

Earth- Official Movie Trailer (watch in HD!)

What Can You Do?

Clearly urban sprawl is a huge predicament. So what can you do? We may not be able to stop urban sprawl, but we can counter some of its negative effects. The key is for developers and modern-age settlers to include nature in development plans.
If you are thinking about moving to the country, consider alternatives. Sometimes the country lifestyle has more charm from a distance than it does up close. Do you really want to leave behind the services and conveniences of urban living? Do you really want to commute to work every day? The commute distance becomes even more important as gas prices soar.
If you are already or will be contributing to urban sprawl, soften your effect on nature by managing your yard or acreage for wildlife. Can you increase natural habitat by having less lawn? Plant native grasses, flowers, trees and shrubs. Encourage your neighbors to cooperate on a community project to establish larger blocks of natural habitat. Free advice is available from the Conservation Department.
Promote development patterns that encourage housing density in some places while leaving larger blocks of open space nearby. It's good conservation to subdivide an area so that houses with smaller yards are grouped together and all the neighbors, as well as wildlife, share large blocks of common space. This "natural commons" approach increases the amount of property available for the enjoyment of residents, while it leaves wildlife habitat intact
Support efforts to protect key tracts of land in developing areas. Public land ownership, whether through state, city or county efforts, can help protect key blocks of natural resources from development. However, the government is not the only answer. Private efforts, such as land trusts or conservation easements, can effectively protect critical areas.
Lastly, GET INVOLVED! You don't necessarily have to oppose development, but you can advocate for streams, forests and grasslands. Make certain city and county ordinances allow for more environmentally friendly practices such as conservation subdivisions and native landscaping.

Check out the post above. We need to protect this Earth

Smart Growth

If you have been following this blog you might have seen me write about promoting smart growth, I mean, it is on the top of this website. So I feel that now, since I have successfully presented the facts on urban sprawl, it is in mine and your best interest to promote smart growth.
According to current trends, population growth is inevitable, so if we're going to grow, why not be smart about it?
Smart Growth recognizes that there is a relationship between the way we grow and the quality of our lives. It aims to save our most valuable remaining natural resources before they are forever lost. Smart Growth supports existing communities and neighborhoods by targeting resources to support development in areas where the infrastructure is already in place or planned to support it. It also saves taxpayers millions of dollars in the unnecessary cost of building the infrastructure required to support sprawl.

Check out this official smart growth website for more in-depth coverage on the movement
http://www.smartgrowth.org/

Here's an informative, yet interesting video presented by FEMA