We’re bombarded with headlines about global warming, oil shortages, and drought. I try to stay on top of current issues. But can one individual really make much of a difference? I set off to find out.
I started with sustainability. I thought it was a term used solely by architects. Adaptive reuse. Solar living. All that stuff. But the term is broader than that. It’s about using a resource so that it does not become depleted or permanently damaged. Everyone has his or her own way of thinking about sustainability. Unbeknownst to me, I was applying sustainability practices to my life already.
SHELTER
I happen to live in an old carriage house, which by its very nature is sustainable. By not building a new home, I’m not using up any of the Earth’s resources or energy. I already have a programmable thermostat that shuts off when I’m not there. Lately, I’ve been lowering my thermostat by a few degrees and wearing a sweater. I’m going to review my next electric bill. In some states you can now choose your energy supplier. The Natural Resources Defense Council suggests choosing a supplier that generates at least half its power from wind, solar energy, and other clean sources.
WATER
I’m saying good-bye to bottled water. My tiny boutiquelike bottle is the coolest accessory since the iPod, but lately it’s losing its appeal. I use the same heavy-duty plastic bottle and refill it. Why? Many people (actually 1 billion) do not have access to clean drinking water at all, while I suck down eight ounces for $2.50. And the resources expended for that chic little bottle are even more costly. By the time a bottle is made (plastic is made from petroleum) and trucked to my store, the bottle costs more than a gallon of gas! And like most everyone else, I’m not home when I discard the plastic bottle, so it ends up in the landfill, not the recycling bin.
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