Ten Simple Steps to Living Green!

It seems to me that "living green" is a product and lifestyle marketed to the bobos of the world. Being organic and living sustainably has become a class and/or education marker of sorts. Step into your local Trader Joseph or Whole Foods and see for yourself. There's a lot of tweed, Buddy Holly glasses, les artsies de la fartsies, and the sufficient amount of calculated grunge that says, "I dress like I don't have money because I really and actually do." I'm not complaining. It makes for great people watching, but it also tells the rest of us--who perhaps can't afford a $12 can of shade grown, organic Ethiopian coffee--that living sustainably isn't within our power or financial means. Wrong, Sir, wrong, wrong, wrong.

Here are ten easy step that will make you the greenest kid on the block, sort of:

1) Close your blinds, doors and windows during hot days, like the ones we've been experiencing lately. This keeps cool air in so you don't have to turn on that darn air conditioner. When it's night and cool outside, open all windows and doors to cool your apartment naturally. So simple.

2) Stop buying bottled water. Instead, invest $20 in a SIGG water bottle. I've had my 20 oz for over a year and a half. It rolls with the punches and keeps me hydrated. But if you insist on buying bottle water, expect to spend at least $121.00 a month, while suffocating our planet with more plastic.

3) When you shop, take old plastic and paper bags with you to carry the goods in. Sure, you might get a dirty look from the bag boy who doesn't understand why you feel the need to complicate his life anymore than need be. But you can always give him a self-righteous look and explain, "I'm savin' the environment, motha licka." He will give you mad props.

4) If you're going somewhere less than two miles away, bike or walk. I'm sure you could do with the exercise. Carpooling and public transportation is another option.

5) Use only what you need. Is it necessary to have the lights on in the dinning room when you're cooking in the kitchen? Or to have the water running the entire time you shave or brush your teeth? Nope and nope. Moderation.

6) Shop at resale and thrift joints. No need to create demand for new products when we can use existing ones over and over and over and over again.

7) Recycle, recycle, recycle! It's only hard if you're not in the habit of doing it. Don't know how? This link may help.

8) Read Ishmael and Wendell Berry. Reading is a step. Yes.

9) Use your electronics as much as possible. If you must get a new iPad or cellphone, make sure you recycle your old devices appropriately. Electronics that aren't disposed of correctly pollute our environment with mercury and other toxic stuff.

10) Make your own cleaning products (or buy biodegradable, friendly ones). Cleaning your bathroom shouldn't be akin to chemical warfare. You shouldn't have to step out for 20 minutes to escape deadly fumes. Baking soda, vinegar, lemon, and soap kill just as well without the poisoning effect.


There you go. Ten simple steps I came up with at the drop of a hat. Have your own tips? Leave a comment and share them!