Think globally, act locally–small changes can make a difference. That seems to be the battle cry of Earth Day this year. I have been working to make small changes in our home. I only use reusable shopping bags–even if that means I bag my groceries or purchases in the car or at home (because I forgot to bring my bags with me). I no longer use disposable plastic water bottles–I have a Sigg which goes with me everywhere. We only use CFLs–even though we have to save the dead ones for recycling. There’s a lot more I want to do, but change is hard, especially in our culture of consumption and convenience.
No Impact Man did an intense experiment:
For one year, my wife, my 2-year-old daughter, my dog and I, while living in the middle of New York City, are 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…
Back in November, BipolarLawyerCook posted a list of small changes she has made. You can really see how small changes add up. My friend the Egghead is buying nothing new. I am going to celebrate Earth Day by making one more small change–I’m going to give up the Dunkin’ Donuts latte in which I’ve been indulging. I’ll make my own at home. The homemade ones taste better anyway. I may even join the Egghead in a “nothing new” pledge. How do you plan to celebrate Earth Day?
Knitting Interrupted 
Happy earth day to you! I made one more change– tap water, no britta filters. I did, however, just buy a bunch of new clothes– unfortunately, my old fat clothes got too small, and I needed some new ones. : ( And I brought my coffee in to work today, rather than my medium VF Iced, Light, three splendas. Because at home, I can recycle the splenda packets. : )
Umm, FV, as in French Vanilla. I don’t drink Vanity Fair.
…no eating, no breathing…
That dude needs help.
In honor or Earth day: I walked to work. I still use my Nalgene bottle (I can’t believe they are being pulled, sucks!) I’ve replaced my incandescent light bulbs, some with LED’s. I turned off the computer, the TV and washed my dishes by hand. If spring or summer ever arrives, I will use the clothesline again.
Nothing new? Does that include fleece? Supplies for making stuff? Things I get from Goodwill which are new to me??? I would die! I am the only person in my office who always brews my morning coffee at home. I hope I get a point for that.