As I set about my education into all things green and earth friendly (which has been exponentially accelerated by fellow blogger and my Newest Bestest Buddy Aaron Campbell of Campbell Energy), the one idea that I keep coming back to is, "How can I be the most environmentally responsible person that I can be.........reasonably".
By reasonably, I mean without going out and forking over tons of money and spending gobs of time on things that may or may not improve my impact on the earth and my expenditure of energy.
I think this is on everyone's mind to some extent. So where does one start?
Quick Confession: I drive a 4 door sedan with a V8 engine. Not exactlly environmentally friendly. When I bought it 4 years ago, I was thinking more of how to attract the opposite sex than conserving energy. Yes, I regret the shor-sightedness of my decision, but am I not human, people? Please save your scorn for now.
I'd rather not sell it (with gas prices, it has lost much of it's cache, and someone else would just be driving it anyway, right?) and get into another lease, especially when it is almost paid for.
Also, as Aaron explained to me while behind the wheel of his mercedes bio-deisel wagon, a V8 engine, when driven responsibly can actually be better than a 6 cylinder, which has to work harder.
I am sure that he was trying to make me feel better, but the rationalization was welcome. As Michael said in the Big Chill (1983):
Michael:
I don't know anyone who could get through the day without two or three juicy rationalizations. They're more important than sex.
Sam Weber:
Ah, come on. Nothing's more important than sex.
Michael:
Oh yeah? Ever gone a week without a rationalization?
So, do I now need to go out and purchase hemp shoes, a new Prius, and live in an adobe hut?
Not really. As Aaron further explained to me, it's all about trade-off.
There are three things that stand out to me as being reasonable and filled with common sense.
1. Did you know that you are better off purchasing a 5 year old Honda than a brand new Prius as far as your carbon footprint is concerned?
This is because a used Honda has already paid for all of the energy that it took to make the car, which is substantial. On top of that, you're still getting 30 miles to the gallon.
By purchasing a new car, even a Prius or other hybrid, you would have to drive many many miles to offset all of the energy that was consumed during it's creation.
Cool, so my next car will be a Honda. That works for me.
2. As far as your house, or purchasing a house, Quality is Green. If you purchase a home that is well built with quality materials and therefore does not risk having to be rebuilt or torn down in the future, that is a Green Move. The materials will not end up in a landfill, and more materials won't be needed for whatever else will be built in it's place. (You can actually extend this logic to any purchase that you make).
3. Localism. Buy local products wherever you can. Whether it is using local materials in remodeling your kitche, or purchasing food grown locally, by eliminating the energy required to transport most items that we purchase on a daily basis, you are being Green.
So, in short, if you are Green at being Green, don't sweat it. Rome was not built in a day. And if you notice, it is still standing, and looking much like it did a millenia ago.
Do the small things, and before you know it, you are making a difference.
My best,
LFM
