The other day I went to fish a plastic bag out of the tangle of what has seemed like thousands stuffed into a section of the pantry closet. Except that I was a little frustrated in my task. There were a bunch of paper bags and a few heavier bags with handles from clothing stores, but the mass of plastic grocery bags is gone. Ruth has successfully converted herself and us to the reusable bags which now reside in the back of our station wagon.
I have noticed during the past three years that readers are both passionate and committed about earth-care, especially the measurable, doable steps. You feel that these things are part of your Christian witness. In blogs I have advocated for:
Rain barrels
Cycling and walking over driving
Clotheslines
Composting
Recycling
Using less disposable plastic
Finding local food sources and gardening
Replacing plastic grocery bags with reusable
Reducing the use of chemical household cleaners
Reducing the use of lawn and garden chemicals
You have been great in letting others know what you have been doing. Are you still "fighting the good fight" to use the apostle Paul's term? Please comment on changed habits and what is working for you.
7 comments:
We are still trying to fight the good. Our habits haven't really changed, we grew up doing those things, so we carried on.
Trying in small ways to lessen our footstep in this world. My husband flies every week, so we try in other ways to cut our stamp on the earth, eating less meat, paying a green tax on flights, etc.
HAPPY EARTH DAY!
Thanks for mentioning carbon offsets, the "green tax" to offset the effects of greenhouse gases produced by jet planes.
cold water washing(clothes, that is)and baking soda and vinegar replaced commercial cleaners...computer turned completely off at night....funny, I sometimes wonder if the benefits of one day blitzes like Earth Day and Earth Hour carry forward and yet those are three small things I can remember starting with the first Earth Hour. Having a passionate, environmental whiz as a preacher helps keep many of us focused too!
Thank you for generously framing obsession as passion.
A good reminder that the so-called symbolic days such as Earth Hour and Day can be springboards for changed habits.
I watched Oprah the other day and it was mentioned that recipes for natural cleaning products are on her site.
I do may of these things, however my next step is a rainbarrel, any suggestions as to where one gets one at a reasonable rate?
Hi Nancy,
You are the second person to ask this in the past week.
The "official" barrels are on sale from time to time at the hardware chains. They are still expensive!
We bought a large plastic barrel at a yard sale. I got a spigot kit from Lee Valley and installed it (requires drilling one hole.) I then attached some brackets around the top, through which I run a bungee cord. The cord holds a piece of standard screen door screening in place so mosquitoes don't breed. Voila!
If in doubt, ask your tall neighbour.
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