Hey — Thanks for all the great comments lately everyone - such witty and smart visitors! I have a serious case of infatuation with you all and the time I spend on this blog and on the clever blogs of others (that person in your analytics who visits 6 times a day waiting for you to post — it’s me — I’m an addict)! I’m in love with the blogosphere. Do I have to tell my husband? Also, if you’re lurking, c’mon, no need to be shy. Say hi!
Anyway, my real life friend (one of the few I have left) HL sent me this great sustainability game from public radio. I am so obsessed with marketing that I rarely complain about the other end of the shopping experience - consumption and waste. This is something I do think about though, especially around the holidays. Can you imagine the environmental impact of Christmas? All the unnecessary “stuff,” sure, but that’s only the tip of the slowly melting iceberg. There are the boxes, the wrapping paper, the tissue, the holiday cards, the energy in transportation to see distant friends and relatives, the energy used to ship gifts, the food production and waste, the deforestation… holy cannoli (Did I spell that correctly? I’m not Italian.). At any rate, I should do more than think about this stuff, I should be working to make more of a dent in my own environmental impact — this post is in honor of Al Gore winning the Nobel Peace Prize (good for you Al — sure do wish you’d been a bit more proactive on these issues - ahem - while you were sitting in the house of power, but none the less, I’m really glad to have you out there waving the flag - it is making a difference).
Anyway — the public radio game. It’s an online game that lets you explore some of the consequences of your consumption and lifestyle choices. For some of you (like Not Quite Crunchy and Ringo), this will be old news. But for others of us, even if you know a bit about such things, it’s a good thought exercise and opportunity for reflection. If nothing else, you get to make an avatar, which is a great way to kill 1o minutes at work (be that at home or outside the home).
While on topic - here are two bloggers who have radically altered their lifestyles in the name of this effort. Sewing My Shadow On and No Impact Man. Both worth an eyeball. You two are amazing!! Update: also check out The Simple Family on these issues. She’s not only entertaining, but also in process, which is helpful!
Anyone care to share your favorite environment saving tips? I’m an amateur, so no suggestion too insulting!
Two Knives
October 15, 2007 | 8:53 am1
This won’t make much of a dent, but I’m doing an all-recycled Christmas this year. All gifts coming from me (and probably Santa) will be either hand-made or purchased at a second-hand store.
The amount of waste that goes along with Christmas absolutely astounds me. That’s not only the packaging, but the toys that are played with once and then abandoned because they aren’t quite as exciting as they seemed to be in the ad.
Ringo
October 15, 2007 | 9:04 pm2
In my fantasy world, my family would agree that in lieu of gifts, we’d all donate to Heifer International (www.heifer.org) an amazing group which does many things, most notably you can donate $ toward the purchase of livestock for families in poverty-striken countries with high rates of hunger; they then use that livestock for fresh milk, eggs, etc. and maybe also to start a business, aka micro-finance the old-fashioned way!)
Not only would we reduce waste and declutter our houses of unnecessary junk, we’d be doing good on a much larger scale.
I think it’s a wonderful idea! Now if only I can convince my parents…
jessica
October 16, 2007 | 11:33 am3
thanks for the compliment! my advice is start where you are. on first glance it looks like being a mother and being an academic are both very important parts of your life. what changes do you need to make in order to give your kids the best/healthiest life you want for them? what can your university do to make your transition to green living easier? universities are usually more open than other workplaces and this is a “hot” topic right now. i can’t wait to follow your blog and see your transformation take place!
it is so flattering you would care for my advice. thanks again!
candace
October 18, 2007 | 11:52 pm4
great. will check them out for sure. The holidays, SO much waste and obligation to spend money on gifts……