I am going to say it: “green is sexy.” And, I am not talking about money (unless going green is helping you save it). I am talking about saving and conserving gas and other natural resources, reducing emissions, eliminating unnecessary waste, supporting green companies, farmers and manufacturers, and small things like turning off “all those lights” like granddaddy used to say!
But, how green is too green? A few months back, I read a New York Times article called “The Year Without Toilet Paper.” The article described time spent with Colin Beavan, Michelle Conlin and their daughter, Isabella, age 2. They live without toilet paper. They are taking part in a one-year experiment called No Impact. The gist of No Impact is “attempting to live without making any net impact on the environment. In other words, no trash, no carbon emissions, no toxins in the water, no elevators, no subway, no products in packaging, no plastics, no air conditioning, no TV, no toilets…” (see Colin’s blog at No Impact Man Project). As part of the experiment they forgo the use of toilet paper, dishwashers, microwaves, planes, trains, and automobiles; they use organic cotton diapers, purchase milk in reusable glass bottles, bake their own bread, use homemade lipstick, moisturizers and toothpaste, and refuse paper cups with straws at restaurants (among other waste-producing items). The article notes, “only in strictness comes the conversion.”
It is a drastic and dramatic way to live, inspired and encouraged at least on Michelle’s part by Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth. She says she felt like everything she did in her life was contributing to a system that was really problematic and that “if I was a student, I would march against myself.â€Â
But, for the average YBP I imagine this is a seemingly impracticable way to live. It sounds time and labor intensive, smelly, limiting and . . . inconvenient. But, what struck me was the sense of hope embedded in their efforts. A former Pastor was the first I heard say “the spirit of hope is knowing we can’t do everything, but we can do something.” Like dieting, you may not be able to lose 40 pounds, but it’s still worth it to lose 10. So, what can we start doing today? Maybe use canvas bags at the grocery store. Walk to the store, work or gym if possible. Use cloth wash rags and leave them in a light bleach solution between uses instead of paper towels or sponges. Use cloth napkins, or at least recycled ones, with meals. We can do it YBPs. These people are going to try and go a YEAR without toilet paper. Surely we can change to CFLs (light bulbs)…
… that’s the spirit 
University Update - Al Gore - How Green is too Green?
[...] Clark Link to Article al gore How Green is too Green? » Posted at Young Black Professional Guide | [...]
June 26, 2007 at 3:59 pm
Nicole
Ok, the light bulbs, I have already gotten hip to. I’m going to get my canvas bags this weekend and I am going to give that a chance…REALLY.
June 27, 2007 at 8:03 am
DNLee
Campaign against plastic grocery bags and other items that include unneccesary packaging.
Excessive packing is a very good way to start minimizing your eco-footprint. Plastic bags, though convenient are a scourge. Often you are given too many and there’s no way you can use them at home as trash liners fast enough. Reuse those plastic bags when you go shopping. Ask for paper – reuse and reecycle it.
Another easy and way to become greener is to NOT buy items with excessive packaging. I think Walmart is bad about this. Contact distributors and manufacturers of products you love and tell them to cut it out.
Buy bulk. Bulk items have less packaging per unit. Example: a litter coke vs a 12 pack of cokes. Same volume, less packaging.
Yeah! I’m so glad the YBP community is taking green seriously!
Forever green yours,
June 27, 2007 at 1:41 pm
ETS
I don’t know much about science, but doesn’t just passing gas do something bad to the environment?! *shrugs*
I don’t encourage people to adopt things they might consider extreme. It really is about baby steps. But we all could be better environmentalists.
June 27, 2007 at 3:29 pm
DNLee
Dear ETS,
passing gas produces methane, which in very high quantities over a relatively short period of time can be bad. Methane is a greenhouse gas.
June 28, 2007 at 2:05 pm
Go Green Checklist | Young Black Professional Guide
[...] April 22 is Earth Day, a time to celebrate gains we have made and create new visions to accelerate environmental progress. The push, especially for Americans, to reduce pollution and help save the environment is based on evidence that the decisions we have made, and continue to make, are damaging the air we breathe and the land we live on. What have you been doing to be more “eco-friendly”? If you’re not sure exactly what to do, here are some tips courtesy of kaboose to help you get started living a green lifestyle. [...]
April 22, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Acai Reviews
Where I come from, you can NEVER be too green.
January 24, 2009 at 10:15 pm
Busby SEO Test
green is sey. that is for sure
January 25, 2009 at 10:49 am
Radar detectors
Where do you actually come from my friend?? For me green is sexy too!
February 9, 2009 at 7:27 am
DeLonghi Pinguino
this is such great information. thanks for the insight.
March 24, 2009 at 1:10 pm