Day #3 2011

I did not use a plastic bag today.  I spent some time thinking about what my life would look like without plastic in it.  Well, I will never know for sure but I am certain so many things would be different.  Like:

1.  I would have to clean up a lot more broken glass.

2.  I would use a ton of aluminum foil.

3.  I can't figure out what my hairdryer or hairclips would be made of - it seems like most hair products are made of plastic.

4.  Most of the interior parts of my car are plastic - without it there would be more wear and tear.

5.  I wouldn't have the fraction of toys to pick up in my house.

That is just the beginning.  Plastic is everywhere.  It is impossible to eliminate it - it is just important to be aware of it and how we use it.  We should use plastic for the things that last for a long time and will be used over and over again.  Plastic should never be disposable.  It is important that more people pay attention to the products that we buy.

I found an organization that is starting a revolution.  www.fearlessrevolution.com This is what they believe, "The fact is we all consume to live. The food we put in our bodies, the clothes we put on our backs, the devices we use to do our jobs, and the energy that goes into everything we touch. Together we consume A LOT. Yet our expectations are too low. We think we have to accept the bad that comes with the good. The pollution that comes with the energy. The unsafe working conditions that come with low prices. The toxic materials that come with convenient packaging.  We can do better. Wanting stuff isn't going to change. So maybe it's time to want more - more from ourselves and more from the people who make our stuff."

I liked what they are saying so much that I joined the Fearless Force on their website. They are right when they say we have to want more!!!

Not sure why you would want to buy this when plain old masking or packing tape does the trick...but it is pretty cool looking.

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Day #2 2011

I did not use plastic bags again today!!!  I really do wonder how long I can go without breaking down.  I am a little worried about the ziploc bags that I have in my pantry. Should I use them or vow never to use them and give them away?  It is hard to decide when either way, they were already created and will be here on the planet no matter who uses them.  So...this is what I did today to make the planet a better place:

I told 2 people about the environmental impact of Hydraulic Fracturing.  (For detailed information visit www.gaslandthemovie.com or watch the movie Gasland.)  I haven't talked to a single person that even knows what Fracking (Hydraulic Fracturing) is yet. This doesn't surprise me because until I saw the movie - I had no idea something like this could be happening in America.  Basically it is a process of injecting 80-300 tons of chemicals into the ground to release Natural Gas.  Well... I can't even explain the impact this process has on the communities where this is done.

This is like a bad science fiction story - but it is true.  This is happening all over the country and people are getting very sick.  Fracking destroys water ways, kills animals, puts toxins into the air and makes the land around the site inhabitable.  To really understand how devastating this is - you have to watch the movie.

So, I have a friend that is looking for land to build a sustainable permaculture eco-village.  I told him about the Fracking and Gasland and we both agree that the first thing he should do is check the Fracking map for the United States and make sure to only look at property that is at least 50 miles away from ever Fracking zone.  I would love to hear from people that live in these areas.  I live in Florida, but that doesn't mean I am not playing my part in all of this.  My hot water heater, oven and heater are powered by Natural Gas - so I feel a sense of responsibility ever time I take a bath or wash my clothes.  We have to find cleaner ways to run our homes in this country.

I didn't exactly make a change today, but hopefully sharing Gasland here will help spread the word and reach the Hundredth Monkey!!

Ok...So here goes.  2011 is here and what have I done?  Well not much:

In 2008, I became aware of how my ignorance was affecting the planet and how big my carbon footprint is for no reason.  But, I became overwhelmed by a feeling of powerlessness.

In 2009, I told myself I was going to do something to change the way I treated the planet and lower my carbon footprint.  I rationalized my behavior and told myself that at least I was trying.  Trying is not doing!!

In 2010, I started to feel deeply guilty that I was still consuming and being wasteful in many ways.  I started to do intense research about how I could change my habits and teach my children to be environmentally conscious.  I really began to think about what kind of human I wanted to become but was still making excuses everyday about why I couldn't do more.

Now it is 2011.  What am I going to do?  I am going to write about something I do differently in my life each day.  I AM GOING TO DO MY PART TO SAVE THE PLANET...

Day #1 2011

I woke up this morning with a sick boy.  I had to go to Publix at 7am to get Ibuprofen and Apple Juice.  I told myself last night that I was going to be different this year - No Matter What!  So when I got to Publix I was very upset with myself that I didn't bring any of my reusable shopping bags.  I have already purchased at least 20 of them, because I can't remember to take them shopping with me.

I am determined to not use plastic shopping bags this year!!!  So, of course I bought 4 more reusable shopping bags for 50 cents and used paper bags for the rest.  I know it doesn't seem like much but really when you have 4 children, sometimes more or less in a house - you use a lot of plastic bags when you go shopping.

I think people are becoming more aware of the dangers of plastic on our planet.  But, just in case you missed what the real dangers are here is my top 5 reasons to stop using plastic:

1.  Americans throw away more than 100 billion plastic bags every year.  Only 1-3% of the bags used are Ever recycled.  Americans must not know how dangerous the chemicals in plastic are to their health.

2.  More people in China, India, Europe are starting to use plastic bags everyday- so the number of bags being made and used is only growing exponentially.  China's population is about 20% of the worlds population and The United States is only about 4.5%... You can imagine how many more bags people around the world would use.

3.  Plastic bags are indestructible.  They end up in the Ocean or buried under the ground for thousands of years.  You can not get rid of the plastic once it is created.

4.  There is an area twice the size of Texas in the North Pacific full of floating plastic - No one can move or clean it or make it go away.  It will only grow.  Animals and fish are starving and being killed because of the plastic pieces that look like food.

5.  As plastics decompose, they release Bisphenol A which causes hormonal imbalances in humans and animals.

Here is a great website http://www.plasticfreeocean.org/ that I urge everyone to check out.  The more you know, the more you will want to stop using plastic too!!!

I have a personal interest in what happens between Starbuck's and Kraft even though I am not a shareholder.  The reason this affects me is because my husband drinks coffee. That means the price and quality of the coffee that he drinks is important to me.  There are also a lot of other issues that are important to me.  Like:

1.  What companies are using Fair Trade principles?

2.  The conditions of the coffee growers and farmers.  Are these companies going into these countries and really paying the prices for the coffee that the farmers deserve. Other people want to know if these farmers have schools for their children and healthcare.

3.  What country did the coffee really come from?

4.  Is it really organic?

But, the reason that I am really paying attention to what happens between Starbuck's and Kraft is that I want to know what is going to end up happening to Kraft.  Not because I really like the company.  Kraft is owned by Maxwell House and Josh Kosman at "The New York Post" said that the company is looking for a buyer next year.  If that happens I will probably have a hard time finding the famous Yuban coffee.

I know I can substitute something else when the time comes, but when is someone going to stand up for the rights of the coffee growers.  Why do Americans support companies that are so unethical.  I am happy that I stopped going to Starbuck's everyday, sometimes twice a day.  Now, I need to find a way to drink coffee grown organically in my own country.

I know a lot of people who go out on Black Friday and have a crazy shopping day.  I like to talk to my friends about their experiences on Black Friday and then go on youtube and watch crazy videos with people fighting and running for deals.  But this year I want to urge people to stay home and shop online!!  There are so many reasons.

1.  It is better for the environment.

2.  It is cheaper.

3.  It is more fun.

4.  It is more convenient.

5.  It is just better.

Here is the video that I made giving more reasons why shopping online is Critical.  

I had this crazy idea but the more I think about it I like it. I think that if I was in one of those home decorating competitions I would have to do this: Make 5-10 inkblot art projects and frame them and make them prominent in one of the showcase parts of the home. Yes, in the style of Rorschach. I think that is the most awesome decorating idea I have ever had. That way when your friends and family come over and talk about your odds and ends, the conversation will get really interesting. I say blow them up over 26x26 at least that way you will be sure to get a reaction. Then invite people over and see what happens. Talk about fun and funny or maybe not!!! I also wonder why we made these so many times when I was a kid in art class and my kids never make them now? http://amplify.com/u/fw45