No, not the movie - we mean the concept as it was originally intended by meteorologists Edward Lorenz and Philip Merilees.  The scientific concept of sensitive dependence on initial conditions goes back to 1890, but in 1963 Lorenz wrote about how the weather could be changed forever by the flap of a seagull's wings.  When Lorenz forgot to provide a title for his presentation on the topic at a 1972 conference, Philip Merilees (the panel convener) named it for him:
 

Does the flap of a butterfly's wings in Brazil
set off a tornado in Texas?

The Butterfly Effect� was born!

The idea that an extremely small change in the conditions of a complex system can significantly alter the outcome is fascinating, and we find it particularly interesting when applied in a socio-environmental sense.  Comments like, "I am only one person... what good (or harm) can I do?"� fly in the face of this.  Everything counts!  The seemingly insignificant bad things each of us does can pile up to become monstrous issues (just look at the litter along our streets and lining our waterways); conversely, the little good things can grow into gigantic, earth-changing campaigns (just look at recycling).

When you act locally by recycling, making your home more energy-efficient, using public transportation (or biking or walking!), or helping your workplace become green, you start to make a positive difference that can spread - It's somewhat like the concept of paying it forward.  Awareness of how we impact the Earth grows on a daily basis.  Your seemingly small steps are all flaps of the butterfly's wings that could result in a whirlwind of powerful, wonderful consequences throughout the world.

So... change some light bulbs, ride a bike, check your water heater, plant a tree, turn off the lights and, by all means, tell your family, friends and co-workers why they should join you!  Just a warning:  It's addictive!