Enviromental practicioner

I've been reading alot about our environment lately--UBBT's fault, making me feel guilty enough to change my reading goal of 20 books to at least 15 of those being of substance:). I picked up the term enviromental practicioner in 'Planet Walker' by John Francis; one of somebody's recommended reads on this site. I love the term because, and I quote, it implies becoming and doing something in order to improve. Which is exactly what we are striving to do with UBBT with ourselves and our martial arts so it fits in well to add the world into that as well. But how? And then I've been also reading this other very cool book, called 'Cradle to Cradle' that challenges how we think of enviromental defense completely. In essence, it shows how uneffective just 'Reduce Reuse and Recycle' is by itself (let's just poison ourselves slower) but how if we could take a tip from nature, and change things right at the beginning of a product, we could have industry AND a  healthier world. eg, fabric as its currently made, its trim ends from factory IS CURRENTLY CONSIDERED TOXIC WASTE!!!( BUT WE'RE SAFE TO WEAR THIS STUFF???) could instead be  made to be thrown away guilt free at the end, even with relish, because it has been designed to be a boon to the environment, not a burden. And also, nothing in the making of this product hurt anything, actually it left things like the water used, cleaner than before. What a concept for creativity! And what a cool way to approach the problem of our way of life; not as a complete failure, but as a lack of creativity. It certainly inspires me alot more than just guilt--it gives vision.
As I was excited telling my parents about this, they were quite negative--having seen and heard lots in their time about big business and how it is very hard to change things as one person. I agree,but I'm not alone--I have a very big family in this martial art community. I know alot of us are concerned about our environment, and together we have a voice. We range from all walks of life, yet our concern is the same and its real. I don't want to give up as many I know have; I'm very grateful to be part of a group that is willing to be a voice for change. I doubt I could stand on my own, but together we are stronger. And having been intriguged enough to talk about this, I  hope I can find a way to be a part of the solution.
the book is 'Cradle to Cradle' by  William McDonough and Micheal Braungart if anyone is interested:)