I read an interesting article recently in Body + Soul magazine proclaiming environmental journalist Siman Sethi a "green goddess". Now I don't know about deifying any woman (or man, for that matter) in the environmental movement, but I've got to give it to this activist/educator - she's accomplished a lot and obviously has plenty more that she will mark off on her to-do list! (Look for a book about the impact of American consumption come 2009.)
A fantastic quote from her reads "First be the change." If you're looking for easy ways to "be the change" this year, try a few of these ideas on for size. I can't guarantee you status as a green goddess, 
but I can definitely assure you that you'll be making a positive impact in your life and on the planet. Read on for just a few suggestions I will be incorporating after reading it:
- Mindful shopping: Look for renewable textiles for your closet, including bamboo and hemp, and organic cotton (grown without pesticides and other nasty goo). Replace outgrown or well-worn pieces with greener items.
- Pack a bottle - a stainless steel one, that is. Skip the plastic water bottles;even recycling them means spending more money and time, plus possible exposure to pthalates.
- Get rid of clutter: Use Freecycle.org and the Habitat for Humanity ReStores to pass on belongings that are useful but need a new home.
- Grow Green: plant a victory garden of your own, just like Gramma and Grampa had. Don't have acreage? Containers and windowboxes can still grow you a bounty of produce.
- Go paper-free: Sign up for electronic statements, newspapers, and more from companies you want to hear from. Get your name off junk mail lists and save time, paper, and endless hassles. Offer employees electronic payroll statements and bill clients and customers via email rather than mail.
What simple steps do you think you could add to this list to green your home and office?
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Hi Melonie! Hope your new year is going well. I have been out of touch most of the past few weeks, but am glad to come back to this list of easy things I can do to help the environment! I would add getting reusable grocery bags to the list - easy and saves room in your house! I have some empty plant containers laying around, so I'm going to read up on victory gardens and what I might be able to grow!
Thanks for the list!
--Sue
Posted by: Sue | January 21, 2008 4:16 PM | Permalink to Comment