The statistics about modern television watching are increasingly astounding.  For example in America: 

• The average child now watches more than 28 hours of television per week (4 hours every day).
• While a child will spend 9,000 hours in school, he/she will spend an average of 1,500 hours in front of the television.
• In total, Americans watch 250 billion hours of television per year.  Given a pay rate of $5/hour, this time has a value of  $1.25 trillian!

Pretty absurd huh?   ...and that is just Tv, not including internet. 

Numerous studies have linked TV with obesity, low self esteem and depression, the development of various disorders, violence, apathy and slowed mental development 

From an environmental perspective TV is equally destructive.   Directly so in terms of all of the electricity that it consumes, but more lastingly as a major contributor to rampant consumerism.  This is hardly surprising when you consider that by the age of 65 the average American will have been bombarded with an estimated 2 million television commercials each encouraging him/her to purchase things that they only rarely need and will seldom provide the happiness, status and meaning in life that the commercials suggest. 

From a resilience point of view, TV is extremely debilitating for both people and communities.  Sitting in front of our screens we are fundamentally detached from each other and the world.  It is a loss of time, energy, money, learning and ability that can be put towards far more meaningful and lasting work. 

By taking this pledge you are committing to scaling back on the TV, getting out more often and being more active in our communities and the outdoors.  Adding just 30 minutes of exercise per day for adults (and 60 minutes per day for children) can provide drastic improvements in health.  Being healthier not only has the obvious benefits of providing a more enjoyable life, but is also cheaper and means more productivity at home and at work.  Taking proactive health measures means that we are less dependant on health care systems and the pharmaceuticals industry.   

By going outside and creating our own entertainment we reconnect with the world around us, discovering more about our communities, the natural world and ourselves.  In the process we are learning and becoming more independent.  Ultimately, it is not enough to protect and beautify our world, but to enjoy it too!