Shades of green

I have led a life of convenience so I am new to Eco-friendly, but I'm committed. Not committed like my California surfer friend Jason (who is married to Holly, one of my best friends) who has not only erased his carbon footprint, but is doing enough to make up for a few of us slackers. My problem is that I have a guilt complex. About pretty much everything so prepare for that to be a re-occurring theme. Now that I have taken my head out of the sand, I feel guilty about everything I'm not doing (and it's a lot of not doing). So whenever I come across someone telling me that it is OK to start small, or as it has been referred to lately, to be "light green", I feel a little relieved. I also love a witty read.

Case in point, the following excerpt from John Mayer's "(NOT) WAITING ON THE WORLD TO CHANGE - ENTRY NO. 1" blog entry on April 26Th (go on, keep reading, it is entertaining): "The trouble is, nobody has managed to come close to bringing this issue to you in a way that doesn't turn you off. At best, it's a bore, and at worst (toilet paper square accounting?) it's insulting to human autonomy.
It seems to me that when it comes to this issue, we've been given only two sides to pick from: side one says the future of global warming does not present a doomsday scenario, almost chuckling the matter aside. Side two says it is a dire issue (which it is), and then goes on to inundate side one with so many separate nakedly-scientific points that they make naivete' seem cozy by comparison.
So here I am, introducing a third side. A laid-back, panic free approach to environmentalism. One that believes the message of "An Inconvenient Truth" is sound, but that it's an incredibly un-fun name for a movie. A side free from the cry of hypocrisy, for it doesn't make sweeping promises. A side that drives an SUV on the way to the grocery store but then produces nylon mesh bags at the checkout line. A side that believes in bringing a change of perspective to our government but letting Carl Rove finish his meal first.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Fans and Friends, I submit to you a third way: Light Green.
No thinking about "offsetting your carbon footprint". No rallies. No brow-beating people who think the Earth just has a fever. Pick one thing to change this year, and keep the rest of your life the same. After all, the only message the charts with escalating red lines are meant to send is that the red lines have to stop escalating, not that hey have to drop to the bottom of the graph by next Tuesday."

I drive an SUV and I don't use reusable grocery bags. It's on my green "To Do" list (I am a list maker from way back so, yes, I literally have this list). You see, I can't afford that just yet. I live on an island (ferry boat service and all) and do the majority of my grocery shopping once a month or so 75 miles away and would need 25 of those bags. That is also why I have the SUV--to carry the 25 bags. But, I do save the bags to reuse...it's a start. I am such a rationalizer. I know that isn't a word, but it describes me so well that it should be. And, I do use reusable bags at our local grocery.

Recently accomplished from my list: Recycle everything I can and haul it to the community recycling trailer on the island. Stopped buying plastic water bottles for home use. Buy glass and stainless food containers and bowls instead of plastic. Limited my use of paper napkins, paper plates, paper towels and computer paper. Replaced some light bulbs with compact fluorescent (I'd change them all if I didn't find that either the light is annoying or they take too long to come on). Shop at local farmer's markets and co-ops (thanks Grain Train in Petoskey, MI!) when possible. Replaced dryer sheets with reusable dryer balls (thanks Holly--they really do work). Replaced some household and personal products with organic and biodegradable versions. Started taking shorter showers. Turn off/unplug appliances, computers, lights, etc. when not in use. Bought energy efficient appliances, toilets, and windows and a Geo-thermal heat system for new home addition. And, reuse whatever whenever possible.

Please don't judge me too harshly. I'm trying and improving and in no way am I preaching! I am a recent convert with much to learn. Jason and Holly will be pleased...and shocked.



Update: Jason and Holly saw the blog and are sending me 25 reusable grocery bags. And my "To Do" list just got a lot longer.