This past spring I found myself having a wine induced debate with my mother, sister and brother, which ended soon after I was labeled paranoid for being more concerned with a possible need to defend ourselves from a corrupt government than with the H1N1 pandemic. Although I do not wish to get the Swine Flu, I didn't understand how one would distinguish it from... well, the flu.
Days ago the news was filled with dire predictions from the CDC. According to these predictions, over a third of the US population will get H1N1. Half of these will need to be hospitalized. Over 90,000 people will die. Yes, this is extreme, and is it just coincidence that they are pushing these numbers and the vaccine just as we're talking Health Care Reform?
I may not have these numbers exactly right, but this is what I came away with. Also, this has a point. Stay with me.
Not too long ago, I looked up natural cleaners. I just thought I could do with a little less chemical. At first I used stuff around the house. One website recommended vinegar for floors. And it gets the floors clean enough, but the whole house then smells like a giant easter egg. So I got Green Works cleaners. From Clorox. And they are good. It's supposed to be good, right? The chemicals are bad. The perfumes are bad. The bleach is poisonous and toxic - and that makes sense, to me, right? If it's poison, what exactly am I cleaning?
Well, the answer is, obviously, H1N1. Because these cleaners clean, but they do not disinfect. Not the floors, not the counters, not the toilet. Which makes it all sound a little, well, dirty. And I know there is the thought that disinfecting actually kills off the weak germs and only the strong ones survive, creating a super strain. But regardless, to not disinfect at all may be simply inviting your children to get sick. To get H1N1 and go to the hospital and who knows what all.
So my question is this - do I have to make a choice? If I don't disinfect and scour and bleach, am I not doing a good job cleaning? And if I do, am I being irresponsible? Is there a middle ground?
Monday, August 31, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Pulling The Plug
Last winter we had a power outage that lasted for a week, and I noticed something. No, I mean besides the fact that we had no light, or heat, or running water (we have a well with an electric pump.)
It was quiet. Really, really quiet. Until the generators started running. But for the first few moments of the day I realized just how many things we plug in around here. So here's a challenge.
Look around you. How many lights are on? How many appliances do you have plugged in right now? When you turn of your lights, do you still have glowing green lights from somewhere? When everything is off, can you still hear faint buzzing?
My husband assures me that these things do not take enough energy to make any sort of a difference. But I can't make that work in my head. To me, every little bit adds up.
Last April I started unplugging things. Not everything. Not the fridge, the washer or dryer. Not lamps I use frequently or televisions that take minutes to reconnect to the cable company. But the microwave. The coffee maker. I use them maybe once or twice a day, and when I do, I plug them in. Then I unplug them. I unplugged the radio that made the faint buzzing when it was off. I plug it in to use it. I unplugged the handheld vac - it isn't charged, but I usually know when I'll need it, and can charge it up ahead of time.
I realize this can be irritating. And my husband may be right - I may be overdoing it. But at the same time, it makes me feel a little bit better because I am trying. I am making this effort. And eventually it gets so that I hardly notice it at all.
It was quiet. Really, really quiet. Until the generators started running. But for the first few moments of the day I realized just how many things we plug in around here. So here's a challenge.
Look around you. How many lights are on? How many appliances do you have plugged in right now? When you turn of your lights, do you still have glowing green lights from somewhere? When everything is off, can you still hear faint buzzing?
My husband assures me that these things do not take enough energy to make any sort of a difference. But I can't make that work in my head. To me, every little bit adds up.
Last April I started unplugging things. Not everything. Not the fridge, the washer or dryer. Not lamps I use frequently or televisions that take minutes to reconnect to the cable company. But the microwave. The coffee maker. I use them maybe once or twice a day, and when I do, I plug them in. Then I unplug them. I unplugged the radio that made the faint buzzing when it was off. I plug it in to use it. I unplugged the handheld vac - it isn't charged, but I usually know when I'll need it, and can charge it up ahead of time.
I realize this can be irritating. And my husband may be right - I may be overdoing it. But at the same time, it makes me feel a little bit better because I am trying. I am making this effort. And eventually it gets so that I hardly notice it at all.
Friday, August 28, 2009
The First R
We buy things we don't need.
Our society is built on advertizing and coveting and purchasing things we do not need. Things we already have. Things that do not necessarily need to be replaced. But that we replace anyway so that we can have the best, look the best.
What does that have to do with being green, you ask? Well... think about it. What happens to the old stuff?
If you buy a bigger or flatter TV just so that it looks cool, what happens to the old one? What happens to your old cell phone that didn't have internet? What's more, a lot of computer stuff isn't recyclable. Our town dump won't accept TV's or monitors anymore. What does one do?
Everything you buy takes energy to make. It is most likely packaged, which creates waste. Probably in that horrifying plastic that you can hardly cut through - I can't tell you how many times I've cut myself on that stuff. And eventually these new things will break. And THEN what?
I'm not talking about things you need. I understand that a person might need a new computer. I'm talking more about... waffle irons that will be used four times and then break. Your fifteenth pair of shoes. Another set of wine glasses when the two sets you have are still intact. A set of plastic glasses you plan to only use for a summer. An I-pod when you already have an I-pod that works, but you want one in blue.
You can disagree - if you do, please say so - but I think that many of us get confused about the difference between NEED and WANT. I can hear my mother "What's NEED got to do with it? If you want it, buy it." And every once and awhile, yes, this is an OK thing to do. But the challenge is to think about it. To ask myself the question "can it wait?" After all, before Reuse and Recycle comes Reduce.
Our society is built on advertizing and coveting and purchasing things we do not need. Things we already have. Things that do not necessarily need to be replaced. But that we replace anyway so that we can have the best, look the best.
What does that have to do with being green, you ask? Well... think about it. What happens to the old stuff?
If you buy a bigger or flatter TV just so that it looks cool, what happens to the old one? What happens to your old cell phone that didn't have internet? What's more, a lot of computer stuff isn't recyclable. Our town dump won't accept TV's or monitors anymore. What does one do?
Everything you buy takes energy to make. It is most likely packaged, which creates waste. Probably in that horrifying plastic that you can hardly cut through - I can't tell you how many times I've cut myself on that stuff. And eventually these new things will break. And THEN what?
I'm not talking about things you need. I understand that a person might need a new computer. I'm talking more about... waffle irons that will be used four times and then break. Your fifteenth pair of shoes. Another set of wine glasses when the two sets you have are still intact. A set of plastic glasses you plan to only use for a summer. An I-pod when you already have an I-pod that works, but you want one in blue.
You can disagree - if you do, please say so - but I think that many of us get confused about the difference between NEED and WANT. I can hear my mother "What's NEED got to do with it? If you want it, buy it." And every once and awhile, yes, this is an OK thing to do. But the challenge is to think about it. To ask myself the question "can it wait?" After all, before Reuse and Recycle comes Reduce.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Link link link
I have a link.
To... THE GREEN GUIDE!
At first it may be overwhelming. But it can be quite helpful For example, there are buyers guides. I can look up, let's say... diapers. And can find out that disposable diapers may not be so bad, as long as they are the right kind. And I can get some input on which brands are best.
They also have buyers guides for cleaners.
It's a good place to go to find things out.
Let me know what you think, or if you know of any other places to go.
To... THE GREEN GUIDE!
At first it may be overwhelming. But it can be quite helpful For example, there are buyers guides. I can look up, let's say... diapers. And can find out that disposable diapers may not be so bad, as long as they are the right kind. And I can get some input on which brands are best.
They also have buyers guides for cleaners.
It's a good place to go to find things out.
Let me know what you think, or if you know of any other places to go.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Recycle
I remember when my childhood city started recycling. Suddenly we had to separate cans from the rest of the trash. And... that was it. Oh! Newspapers! We were supposed to separate newspapers. And I think other paper. I remember my mother used to tear the plastic windows out of envelopes, and I rolled my eyes, wondering why she was bothering.
I recycle everything I can. Our town here has mixed stream recycling. We pay for trash pickup, and they gave us a bin about five feet high. Our whole family could fit in it. And everything goes in there. Cans, bottles, plastic food containers, magazines, newspapers, envelopes, paperboard, cereal boxes, cracker boxes, pizza boxes... They pick it up every two weeks, and it is always full.
I don't know what to do when people don't recycle. I find it hard to put a can in with the rest of the trash. Some people just don't bother. It either isn't offered, or they simply don't trouble themselves. I supposed they simply aren't concerned. Others don't think it makes a difference. I think my brother is under the impression that the pollution created by the recycling process is more harmful than the actual trash.
As far as I know, recycling is a good thing. Right now, it's easy to do, and I suppose as long as our town dumps asks us to do it, I'll go along with it. Thoughts, anyone?
I recycle everything I can. Our town here has mixed stream recycling. We pay for trash pickup, and they gave us a bin about five feet high. Our whole family could fit in it. And everything goes in there. Cans, bottles, plastic food containers, magazines, newspapers, envelopes, paperboard, cereal boxes, cracker boxes, pizza boxes... They pick it up every two weeks, and it is always full.
I don't know what to do when people don't recycle. I find it hard to put a can in with the rest of the trash. Some people just don't bother. It either isn't offered, or they simply don't trouble themselves. I supposed they simply aren't concerned. Others don't think it makes a difference. I think my brother is under the impression that the pollution created by the recycling process is more harmful than the actual trash.
As far as I know, recycling is a good thing. Right now, it's easy to do, and I suppose as long as our town dumps asks us to do it, I'll go along with it. Thoughts, anyone?
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Bag It, Tag it
The grocery store is one of the most terrifying places in the world for me. I go with a list, but once I'm there the abundance of choices can keep me from moving forward. The list may say "Yogurt" but I forget what kind. This one is healthiest, but that one is organic, and both of those are expensive so maybe this third kind? And more often than not I end up getting the ones with cartoon characters on them that are green and purple because those are the ones the kids are asking for and... hey, well they knew what they wanted and I didn't.
I'm still working on all that.
One thing I DO have down, though, is the checkout. Because I remember my BAGS. That's right. I have a bunch of grocery bags - some that I got from the grocery store (they give a bag to each customer on Earth Day) and the rest that I got from.... other places. Workplaces. For gifts. From Health Fairs. Just canvas bags.
I keep them in the closet and I bring all of them each time I go. I usually have more groceries than will fit in the bags, but I choose not to bag the milk or the potatoes, and I ask that the meat be put in plastic.
This is something easy to do. At first I used to forget them, and sometimes I still do, but the first step is to plan on using them and on not giving up. Now I don't even give it a second thought. That's a lot of plastic bags I'm not using.
I'm still working on all that.
One thing I DO have down, though, is the checkout. Because I remember my BAGS. That's right. I have a bunch of grocery bags - some that I got from the grocery store (they give a bag to each customer on Earth Day) and the rest that I got from.... other places. Workplaces. For gifts. From Health Fairs. Just canvas bags.
I keep them in the closet and I bring all of them each time I go. I usually have more groceries than will fit in the bags, but I choose not to bag the milk or the potatoes, and I ask that the meat be put in plastic.
This is something easy to do. At first I used to forget them, and sometimes I still do, but the first step is to plan on using them and on not giving up. Now I don't even give it a second thought. That's a lot of plastic bags I'm not using.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Hurdles
I never aspired to be "Green." Whenever anyone talked to me about eating healthier, or about being more responsible to the planet, I would roll my eyes. I expect some readers may do the same. I used to grit my teeth at the thought of organic peanut butter or recycled paper towels (maybe I still do). Why is this?
I think it might be because we feel bad. I know that Paper towels are bad. I know organic peanut butter is supposed to be better. But I don't do those things. So the person who DOES do those things must be feeling like she is better than me, right? Just as the person who refuses to eat sugar and works out seven days a week feels he is better than me because he is healthier. Or maybe I feel that these people are better, that I should be doing the same, and I resent them for having the time, the money, the drive, the will power.
I don't want to be preachy. I don't want to tell people what to do. I admit, I balk when people tell me to throw my plastic bottles in the trash. And just the other day my Mother-in-Law mentioned that our home had "organic everything" by which I think she meant I had Green Works cleaning spray and dishwashing liquid. Truly, there's not much else organic here, except for the broccoli.
My point is, this is more than just things I have to do. It is an attitude change, a lifestyle change. It's doing a little but more legwork, a little more research, paying a little bit more, giving up a few things...
But it can be done.
I think it might be because we feel bad. I know that Paper towels are bad. I know organic peanut butter is supposed to be better. But I don't do those things. So the person who DOES do those things must be feeling like she is better than me, right? Just as the person who refuses to eat sugar and works out seven days a week feels he is better than me because he is healthier. Or maybe I feel that these people are better, that I should be doing the same, and I resent them for having the time, the money, the drive, the will power.
I don't want to be preachy. I don't want to tell people what to do. I admit, I balk when people tell me to throw my plastic bottles in the trash. And just the other day my Mother-in-Law mentioned that our home had "organic everything" by which I think she meant I had Green Works cleaning spray and dishwashing liquid. Truly, there's not much else organic here, except for the broccoli.
My point is, this is more than just things I have to do. It is an attitude change, a lifestyle change. It's doing a little but more legwork, a little more research, paying a little bit more, giving up a few things...
But it can be done.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Explanation
It started, as many things start, when I had my first child.
With a child, with a new baby, you make many decisions. You choose a crib. You choose a carseat. And you choose... diapers.
I chose disposable diapers. Because, let's face it, I have no idea how to put on a cloth diaper. And although there are many "diaper systems" out there today, they only last as long as your baby fits into the plastic pants. So... Pampers for me. Or for my baby.
The thing is, a diapers hangs around the earth for hundreds of years. And keeping this in mind as I emptied the diaper bin every two days, I realized just how much trash - stinky trash - I was leaving (or my baby was leaving) on this earth.
But I didn't stop there. No, I had a second child. And a third.
And I started thinking more and more about all of the disposable items that are out there, and how much trash, how much pollution, I am personally responsible for.
No one can just "Go Green" overnight.... ok, maybe some people can. But not me. No. I need to do everything is small steps, one thing at a time, so that there is no culture shock but instead a smooth transition. This blog is about the small steps that I am taking - and that ANYONE can take - to reduce the harm I am doing to this planet, our home. I also have lots of questions, and I am open and welcome to advice or hints. Please don't hesitate to comment, correct, or encourage.
Thanks so much! Now wish me luck.
With a child, with a new baby, you make many decisions. You choose a crib. You choose a carseat. And you choose... diapers.
I chose disposable diapers. Because, let's face it, I have no idea how to put on a cloth diaper. And although there are many "diaper systems" out there today, they only last as long as your baby fits into the plastic pants. So... Pampers for me. Or for my baby.
The thing is, a diapers hangs around the earth for hundreds of years. And keeping this in mind as I emptied the diaper bin every two days, I realized just how much trash - stinky trash - I was leaving (or my baby was leaving) on this earth.
But I didn't stop there. No, I had a second child. And a third.
And I started thinking more and more about all of the disposable items that are out there, and how much trash, how much pollution, I am personally responsible for.
No one can just "Go Green" overnight.... ok, maybe some people can. But not me. No. I need to do everything is small steps, one thing at a time, so that there is no culture shock but instead a smooth transition. This blog is about the small steps that I am taking - and that ANYONE can take - to reduce the harm I am doing to this planet, our home. I also have lots of questions, and I am open and welcome to advice or hints. Please don't hesitate to comment, correct, or encourage.
Thanks so much! Now wish me luck.
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