March 2, 2021
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To me, the answer is simply to be aware of one’s environmental impact and to be respectful of that situation.
We live in a consumer society. and what that means is that the vast majority of us do not directly contribute to their own food security except via money. This is also true for housing, clothing and community involvement. We have a wallet that insulates us from the necessity of physical labor and we use that to make a more comfortable lifestyle for ourselves.
Don’t think that I’m being insulting here. I am not. I am as lazy as any human being and prefer not having to do physical labor if I don’t have to and especially if I don’t want to.
But the problem comes with the creation of garbage. Garbage and other waste materials that are left behind in our air, land, water and even on the internet. waste materials that no longer serve their purpose end up clogging landfills and waterways, harming sea life, birds and animals. and we discard these things without a second thought even agreeing that by segregating our garbage, we somehow have avoided the garbage problem.
That’s not enough.
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To actually live green means that we are obligated not to make too much extra garbage. This means buying clean and living clean and curbing our consumerism as well as the expenditure of fossil fuels to make the trip to the store or for the goods to come to the store to us. Living green means living locally and as harmonically as possible with nature. Living green means supporting local farmers and farmers who practice ecologically sound practices. Perhaps living green means showing some pity and respect to animals and choosing not to eat them or wear clothing made out of them. Or perhaps living a green life means bicycling or only riding in electric vehicles whenever possible.
I also think that living green means trying to get as close to 100% of this list is you can. I don’t think it’s important to argue whether or not 100% is achievable. I also don’t think it’s important to argue one’s abilities to do any of these items on the list. I don’t even think it’s a public discussion. I believe the true Green lifestyle is the one where you argue with yourself and live up to your own standards of positive contribution to our environment and Future.
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Maybe that’s the real thing that living green is about. A person that truly lives a green lifestyle is one who understands that they are participating themselves in the creation of the future. Being cognizant of the footprint we leave behind is usually enough to get someone started. Simply being aware that you are causing harm is sometimes enough to make people rethink their daily activities and actions. And I for one am all for that.
