Excuses, excuses, excuses. I think that we've all heard just about every reason in the book why making eco-friendly lifestyle changes are perceived as costing too much money. We're all in this together, though -- we're talking about the future of OUR planet, not just a small little park in our subdivision that we can easily put out of our minds. If we think that we're the only one hurting in this economy and that justifies why we're not lifting a figure to make some sort of green contribution in the world, then we're guilty of being far too short-sighted (and even selfish) because our neighbors, family and friends are likely being affected as well. While it can be tempting to just lick our wounds, adopt a survivalist attitude and think solely about our own needs right now, Mother Nature can't afford us to wait until the recession is over before we finally get our acts in gear. Our planet needs saving today. What most people forget is that there are so many ways to chip in our two cents without actually dipping our hands into our pockets. Remember when you were in grade school and the only form of currency that you had to your name was your imagination? It's time to dust it off and see just how far it can take you. Here are just a few ideas to get you started:
Change #1: If you see perfectly recyclable materials jutting out of a public garbage can, don't ignore them -- remove the items and add them to your recycling containers at home. Just a few extra seconds of your time will yield a real difference in the world, especially if your example triggers others to follow suit. What do you mean that it's beneath you? Are you kidding?!?! I challenge every single person out there to step up and take responsibility for all of the slackers out there who are shirking their basic planetary citizen duties. It's up to us to finally give enough of a damn to think beyond the embarassment factor and realize that more than anything, it's truly embarassing that people are still being utterly selfish, irresponsible idiots who throw away recyclable materials.
Out of pocket expense -- zilch. Time may be money but that adage is positively archaic considering that this example of minimal labor is a direct investment in our environmental future that will reap palpable rewards.
Change #2: Shake the cycle of I-want-I-need-I-gotta-have-something-new! If you take a vacation from shopping, you might discover that after you make through the traditional period of withdrawal, you'll actually have more money left in your wallet than ever before as well as a lot more creative juices flowing. Instead of relying on manufacturers to dictate what you think you need, you can instead exercise your own creativity and make it yourself with supplies you already have on hand -- that includes everything from food, fashion, arts and crafts to handy household helpers. Less stuff = less packaging and junk to dispose of. More importantly, it forces us to reconsider the great bounty that we have within our own four walls and appreciate the little things in life a lot more.
Out of pocket expense -- zippadee-doo-dah-day, other than the semi-emotional meltdown that some of us might experience during the withdrawal process.
Change #3: Share the excess vegetables from your victory garden (or any superfluous fruit raining down from trees on your property) with others rather than letting any edibles go to waste -- whether with an older neighbor, younger couple trying to make ends meet, local food bank or some lucky craigslist user with an eye peeled on the "free" classified section. Why not make a habit of remembering how small kind acts like this will absolutely MAKE someone else's day? Good wholesome food is hard to come by, especially these days, and we should bear in mind that small gestures like this can make all the difference in the world. There is nothing quite like receiving a gift without solicitation or expectation -- it can be a twig tied with a blade of grass and the very thought behind it has the power to make someone turn over a new leaf.
Out of pocket expense -- compassion, selflessness and generosity.
Change #4: Teach a child how to plant trees just by foraging in the forest or park for polynoses (maple tree "helicopters"), pinecones, acorns, etc. Create an entire ritual out of helping them to dig random holes, deposit Mother Nature's seeds, cover them up with soil and then once the job is done, join in with them to make a wish of good health to our earth. Setting an example like this while someone is very young has incredible power -- it can potentially create a deeply rooted foundation of environmental reverence that they will carry with them throughout their days.
Out of pocket expense -- green memories that will last a lifetime and spawn new generations of oxygen-generating trees and caring human beings.
Change #5: Carry a reusable kit in your car that it stocked at all times with real washable cups, silverware, travel mugs, bags, food storage containers, plates, bowls and cloth napkins -- it may be a little bulky, but aren't there bigger things to worry about? In the event that you or a member of your family is ever struck with the need to nosh or drink while on the road, you'll have all the dining accoutrements covered and never again feel tempted to rely on a disposable version destined to be chucked in a garbage can again. If it's true that an average of 410,000 paper cups are used every 15 minutes and 25 billion styrofoam cups are disposed of yearly (both in the U.S. alone), then imagine the sheer volume of culmulative disposables that we could eliminate from the waste stream by adopting this practice.
Out of pocket expense -- a little forethought and assembly of supplies that you already have on hand.
Change #6: Donate whatever you believe that you can no longer use in your household to freecycle, craigslist, Goodwill, The Salvation Army or any other type of thriftstore so that someone else may benefit. One of my friends is moving across the country and recently told me that she donated a 27" television and two full bedroom sets to a thrift store, knowing that those items would make someone else out there ecstatic. Isn't there a point when we can all find great affirmation and joy simply by imagining the look on someone else's face when they score our fantastic household items for pennies on the dollar? If we have grown tired of them or somehow the items no longer fit into our lives, the least that we can do is take the effort of driving them to the closest donation site rather than squandering them or selfishly dumping them into the garbage.
Out of pocket expense -- losing the what's mine is mine mentality and spreading the wealth for a change.
Change #7: Propagate your houseplants by rooting clippings in water and then potting them in recycled containers. Then, add them to your already burgeoning collection of household greenery or present them to a neighbor or kind soul who will benefit from your good green gesture -- who wouldn't appreciate the jolt of oxygen to their indoor environment?
Out of pocket expense -- simple human consideration and a little humble effort. Rinse and repeat.
Change #8: Rethink what you normally consider garbage can worthy. That old cushion that's been torn up by the dog? Wouldn't it make a great back support when you slide under your car to change the oil or a nice way to protect your knees when you're working in the garden? What about those old clay pots that you swear you're never going to use again because you've officially given up your green thumb aspirations? Scrub them, sterilize them and then convert them into garage organizers, homemade bird feeders, halloween decorations, garden candle/tealight holders, etc. There is always an inspired new way to use something that you already have on hand, and when all else fails, find another willing party who will happily give it a new home.
Out of pocket expense -- exercising your noggin in the fine art of repurposing.
Change #9: Care more about the world and remember that there is a lot more beyond our backyard perspective. One of the most significant stumbling blocks to our progress as green minded human beings is that we are guilty of living me-centric lives that perpetuate selfishness and consumer-fulfilling behaviors. I strongly believe that we need to re-evaluate our priorities and understand that it is imperative that we once and for all give a damn about how our actions can make or break the future of our planet. Every bottle, can and newspaper does make a difference...consolidating your errands and biking when you're able is also a huge step in the right direction. We can all take small actions on a daily basis that cumulatively will add up over time, resulting in great environmental progress. It is only when we step outside of ourselves and adopt a global community perspective that we will finally really begin to get somewhere in our green journey.
Out of pocket expense -- zilch, particularly if you like the idea of saying buh-bye to your inner brat.
Change #10: Be green even when no one is looking. Don't do it to be cool or accepted or trendy -- embrace a green mindframe because you know that your efforts will contribute to a genuinely better future. None of us should ever feel put out by the extra steps that we are taking to do right by Mother Nature because we're the ones who have the power to turn things around -- every single one of us. It can be as challenging or as easy as we make it. The longer we delay the process, the more work we'll have to do to turn things around, or who knows....maybe it'll be too late by then. We can no longer play the role of the child who doesn't want to do his or her homework. Tough luck -- if we want to hand over a viable planet to future generations, the time to act is now. No more dragging our heels. No more pointing fingers or expressing resentment. No more claims of poor me sacrifices. It is what it is what it is. This isn't a dress rehearsal. Every single action that we take from this day forward is a step closer to a greener, healthier future for our planet.
Out of pocket expense -- absolutely nothing, but we stand to reap remarkable rewards in return for our steadfast dedication and commitment.
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