Green's the Buzz

The other night I attended a networking meeting put on by our local Chamber of Commerce. I was there to promote my company, Marathon Renewable Energy, Inc. But a side benefit was that I gained insight into the average businessperson's attitude towards sustainable living.

Boy, what a difference from a year ago! "Green" is suddenly on everyone's radar screen. Even most of the more conservative bunch now agree that we need to do something about the environment.

He-loooo! We as a country have been embarrassingly slow in addressing this issue. (Germany was more ecologically aware 2 decades ago than we are now.) Our greed and lack of foresight have resulted in us being caught with our pants down.

Time to get ourselves a good pair of suspenders!

Here's something simple you can do to move the sustainability movement forward: get your tongue wagging!

The biggest thing we have to overcome is resistance to change. And the more people hear about something new, the faster they'll be to accept it.

You don't need to worry anymore about people thinking you're a hippie or a fanatic. When the guy next to you in line at the grocery store starts griping about the price of gas, talk about how great you feel now that you're riding your bike more often, or mention that you're looking to trade in your Suburban for a hybrid. (Or if you have a hybrid, casually mention what kind of mileage you're getting. This is fun - you can see the gears start to grind in their heads!)

It's about time the green movement got smart and started using effective marketing techniques. (The Republican Party has been doing it for years.) And nothing's more effective than testimonial and word of mouth.

Stock Up on Local Goodies

This is the best time to get really good deals on locally-grown produce.

I came back from the farmers' market today with 50 lb. sacks of potatoes and onions, a huge box of the last of the season's tomatoes, and a bushel of crisp Jonagold apples, along with a few bags full of other veggie treats. These were bought at bargain prices, as the farmers are trying to cash out of as much of their extra harvest as they can before the market closes for the winter. (Next week I'll use my trunk space to load up on squash, more apples, and perhaps some cabbages for cole slaw and sauerkraut.)

Buying local does more than just save you pennies. When you buy locally-grown food:

• You're supporting your hard-working farmer neighbors, who in turn pay taxes that support your local schools, fire departments, etc.
• You're saving the fuel that would have been burned by trucking your produce hundreds or thousands of miles from another state or country.
• You're treating yourself and your family to fresher, and most likely more nutritious (especially if you buy organic) food.
• You're investing in local agricultural infrastructure (a real step towards homeland security.)

I'm lucky enough to live in an 80-some year-old house with a fruit cellar. My kids and I hauled our loot down there, speculating about the yummy times ahead. Some of it will keep for weeks or months, to be prepared as needed, while other things will have to be either processed in batches as I find the time, or eaten quickly - for instance, we'll be having a lot of tomato-based dishes in the next couple weeks!

Most winter veggies will keep surprisingly long in any cool area with good ventilation. Just be sure to check your bounty frequently, use it timely, and remove any spoiled items promptly. Or, you can process your food for the winter by canning, freezing or drying. It's work, but it can be fun, especially if you do it with a friend.

Farmers' markets are a handy outlet for fresh, local veggies. but if you don't have one in your area, don't despair. Ask around at your local health food store or search the internet for the names of local producers. Or try advertising on Craigslist or bulletin boards that you'll buy locally grown produce. There are usually plenty of gardeners who'd be happy to make a couple extra bucks supplying you with healthy, tasty food!

Make Your Vote Count Double

Did you know there's a simple, legal way to double your vote?

Open your mouth!

That's right. According to one of the managers of the Obama campaign here in Wausau, for every 27 undecided people called by campaign volunteers, another voter comes to the polls.

Actually, if you just talk to people you meet in your daily routine, you'll probably do a lot better than one in 27 - because they won't view you as a salesperson. You don't have to try to convince them - just tell them your feelings and beliefs. And it's a pretty easy thing to do in this political climate.

Your opinion is more powerful than you may think!

Sustainable Deodorant

At your natural foods store, you can choose from a number of underarm deodorants covered in fancy packaging designed to make you feel cool and oh-so-progressive.

Want to know a secret?

The best deodorant I know of isn't even stocked with the personal products. You'll find it in the baking section, near the vanilla flavoring, corn starch and cookie sprinkles.

That's right - I'm talking about good, old fashioned baking soda.

• Baking soda does a great job keeping you socially acceptable (my husband uses it, too, so I know it's strong enough for the guys.)
• It comes in a biodegradable cardboard box. Or you may be lucky enough to find it in bulk and re-use your own container.
• It won't stain your clothing (at least, I've never had it happen.)
• It's aluminum - free, so you won't have to worry if it might give you Alzheimer's.
  
• It's really cheap.
• And it's great for all sorts of other uses, too.

Baking soda is easy to use. Just dampen your pits and apply a little by hand - it'll stick to your fingers in just the right amount if you moisten them first.

I keep some handy in my bathroom in a pretty little ceramic jar with a lid. It does double duty there, because it's in easy reach when I need a mild cleanser to clean the sink.

Give it a try - and let me know what you think!

Politics and the Environment

The environment is really not a partisan issue. Or at least it shouldn't be.

You might be surprised that the environmental movement's roots are deeply entwined with the Republican party - and not the way you may think.

Republican Teddy Roosevelt was a dedicated conservationist who is well known for signing the creation of 5 national parks into law. (He also attacked big business and was in favor of national, universal health care. Hmmmm...) And Congress first passed the Clean Air Act in 1955, and a major revision with much tougher standards in 1970 under Republican presidents - Eisenhower and Nixon, respectively.

So when a certain Republican contender for President spouts off about his "longstanding commitment to conserving America's natural resources and promoting environmental stewardship," and claims to be following in the footsteps of Theodore Roosevelt, it can sound pretty convincing.

But we owe it to ourselves to ferret out the truth when it comes to voting our beliefs. And to put it bluntly, the "straight talk" rarely issues from the candidates' mouths.

The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) rates members of Congress based on how their votes on political affect the environment. Each senator is assigned a percentage ranking indicating how frequently his decisions are pro-environment. 100% means he votes green all the time, 0% means never.

Well, guess what? Mr. McCain, with all his rhetoric about having "an obligation to future generations," has a lifetime score of only 27%. And in 2007? A big, fat ZERO!

Not that Obama is an environmental saint. His 2007 score was 67%. That leaves a lot of room for improvement. But it's a darn sight better than the alternative. And enough to prompt the LCV to endorse him in the race for President.

I know which one I'll be voting for.

And as for McCain? I suggest he learn to re-examine his roots.

Green vs. Tan

There are a lot of things we can do to reduce our impact on this overstressed world of ours. But while every little bit helps, it's good to realize the difference between products and practices that are truly green and those which are...well...just a little less brown.

Take the previous post. Yes, refining our driving skills will save a little bit on gas and help our autos last longer. But it doesn't change the fact that we're still driving, which is pretty darn brown.

Driving's just one example. Others abound.

Take recycling, for instance. Sure, it's good to recycle. But wouldn't it be even better not to use so many resources to begin with?

As you go about your day, think about the choices you are making. Are your actions truly green, or are they really more like...tan?

Just food for thought.

Save gas, go easy on your brakes.

The big silver Ford Explorer zoomed past me and screamed to a halt at the red light ahead of us. I kept my foot on the clutch and quietly coasted closer...closer...

YES! the light flashed green and, without breaking momentum, I was off and through, before the other driver even got her car going again.

If I sound a little smug, it's for good reason. Stepping on the brakes as little as possible allows you to enjoy these benefits:

• Less wear and tear on your brakes
• Significant gas savings so you pay less at the pump
• The occasional opportunity to blow other drivers away without even revving your engine, which allows you:
• A licensed sense of superiority.

Can't beat that!

$5 Major Appliance

I did some laundry this morning, and got to thinking about a workshop my husband attended at the Midwest Renewable Energy Association's Energy Fair a few years back.

The presenter had offered a "free major appliance" to workshop participants. At the end of the lecture on energy conservation, he made good on his promise, passing out...

Clotheslines!

When we moved into our new house, we deliberately decided against purchasing a clothes dryer.

I have no regrets. Sure, it takes a little longer to hang the clothes instead of just chucking them into the dryer, but we saved several hundred dollars right off the bat. But that's just the start.

According to the California Energy Commission, the average dryer lasts about 18 years, and costs about $85 per year to operate. At that rate, over its lifetime you will spend $1,530, just getting your clothes dry a little faster. (And future costs will be more, of course, as energy rates skyrocket.)

Compare that to the cost of a simple clothesline: $5, give or take a buck or two.

Some other advantages of doing it the old-fashioned way:

• In dry winter weather, letting your landry air-dry helps humidify your home.
• You'll have less wear and tear on your clothes, so they'll look nicer longer.
• You'll take a load off your conscience, realizing that you've eliminated the future disposal problem of a big hunk of solid waste, not to mention kept mercury out of the environment (if your electricity comes from a coal-burning power plant)
• If you don't already have a dryer, and elect not to get one, you'll save gallons of diesel fuel that would have been burned in transporting your machine, not to mention the savings on your back getting it into your basement!
• My tall friend Liz tells me she swears by hanging all her family's jeans to prevent them from shrinking up and becoming highwaters. (I'll take her word for it, being on the short side myself.)

We live a block away from a laundromat, so in a pinch I do have access to a dryer. But in 15 months since moving into our house, I have never felt I needed it.

So if you're looking for an easy way to give your environmental conscience a boost, go wash some clothes, and hang 'em!

Welcome to "Living Green!"

Welcome to "Living Green!"

"Green" has become such a buzzword lately, I almost hate to use it. To my mind, "green" or "eco" living is simply sensible living.

When we live green, we free ourselves from many of the negative aspects - the garbage and waste - of modern life. It's a way to center ourselves and lead a more balanced, healthier lifestyle. And (despite the high cost of organically-grown food) green living is very often cheaper living - which frees us up financially, too!

Although I'm no saint when it comes to treading lightly on the Earth, I have, over the years, picked up a number of good habits and quite a few kernels of knowledge. And this seems like as good a time as any to spread them around.

I hope that "Living Green" will:

• Encourage those of you thinking about making the switch to a more sustainable lifestyle to "just do it!"
• Provide practical suggestions anyone can use to make their lives a little greener
• Open up a green "idea exchange"
  
• And give those of us who've been at it a while a little extra reminder that we're on the right track. (To put it nicely. In other words, sometimes we all need a little kick in the butt to remember to do the right thing. Myself very much included.)

Like it or not, the planet is changing. Let's get together and do what we can to smooth the transition!