Going Green: Conscience Not Guilt

For instance, recycling takes just a couple of seconds, rinse the can, then throw it in the recycling bin, versus tossing a dirty can into a trash can. Or composting, my mother has had a covered plastic bowl next to her sink for years; every few days when it gets filled with the cuttings of fruits and veggies or coffee grinds, she empties it into her compost pile out in her back yard. I carry a supply of shopping bags in my car so they are always with me when I need to run into a store. The choice to "Go Green" doesn't need to be complex.

Step-by-Step

If we think of our environmental issues purely on a global basis, we will be overwhelmed. Yes, it is good to be educated as to the enormity of our world's pollution problems-millions of acres of trashed landfills; our oceans turning to plastic soup; fish, birds, and animals killed by pollution. But the very best thing that I can do about this global crisis is to take steps in my life to counteract the crisis. Start by taking steps, practical, achievable steps, that bring ideals into reality.

Steps To Take Now

• Use recyclable shopping bags.
• Recycle as much as possible.
• Conserve Energy-turn off electric lights or appliances when not using.
• Conserve Water-use only what you need.
• Lower your thermostat for Winter.
• Insulate your home well, especially windows, attics, and basements.
• Donate your used items instead of throwing them out.
• De-chemicalize your home-buy natural soaps, shampoos, and detergents.
• Buy organic and Fair Trade.

Steps To Consider For The Future 

Purchase solar panels to supplement energy usage.

• Buy a solar water heater or a passive batch solar water heater.
• Get a rainwater collector for garden and yard watering.
• Evaluate a small-wind turbine for your property.
• Buy the most eco-friendly car you can afford.

Research the Green tax incentives for your State and the Federal Government at www.dsireusa.org/ (The database of state incentives for renewables and efficiency).

Convictions, Conscience, and Consciousness

Consciousness is the awareness of something, a knowledge. We need to gain a consciousness about the earth around us and learn to be part of the solution by our actions. Read Green: educate yourself on the issues and make informed decisions in your daily life. When a person has a consciousness of the environmental problems of our world, she will have a sensitive conscience as to her participation in that problem as a consumer, and thereby develop convictions that will lead to specific actions. Living by a conscience that is fueled by your convictions will kick-out guilt.

Guilt Paralyzes, Conviction Sets Free

If every time you see your neighbor's recycling bins set out you cringe with guilt-once again you missed recycling day-then you will be paralyzed by that guilt and keep in the same cycle. But if by reading about Going Green or Environmental issues you gain conviction to why you should recycle and how recycling can really save the earth from pollution-you will be set free to practice green choices and they will be a part of your life.

Start Here:

Pick one issue that you have conviction about. For example, plastic shopping bags, "According to The Wall Street Journal, the U.S. Goes through 100 billion plastic shopping bags annually" states resusablebags.com , only approximately 20% of which are recycled. They rest are filling our trash dumps and finding their way into our rivers and oceans-where in each they never biodegrade, only photodegrade, or break down into smaller, poison-attracting, plastic molecules called "nurdles". You have the power to do your part in cutting down your use of plastic bags.

Reuse your plastic shopping bags for multiple trips, keep them in the car for easy access. And slowly buy a supply of reusable shopping bags to replace them. Often local grocery chains and other stores offer a small discount if you bring your own bags, that can be a monetary savings of close to $30.00 per year and an environmental savings of over 1000 plastic bags loosed on the Earth. You can reward yourself at the end of the year with a night out at the movies with the date of your choice! It can become a family tradition.