Today, October 15, is Blog Action Day, and the theme is the environment.

Those of you who know me personally may know that I was the co-founder of the Ecology Club at my high school, way back in 1990. At the time, my overwhelming desire in starting the club was to overcome my feelings of helplessness and fear about what I perceived as waste, apathy, and an apocalyptic future. Today, I’m happy to report that the Eco club is still going strong and the exposure and experience I received as part of my organizing efforts paid off: I now have a better sense of what it takes to start something (warning! not for the faint of heart!), better working relationships in teams (lead, follow, or get out of the way!), and an idea of effective ways to create positive social change (act local).

Those early experiences around organizing led me to work for CalPIRG (if you lived in San Diego, perhaps I visited your doorstep recruiting for supporters) and to work as an environmental educator for Slide Ranch, in Marin County, where I taught youngsters about the connections between people, animals, plants, and the land.

Over time and with travel, experience, and a deepening of my understanding, my own personal ideas about ecology have grown to include a deep respect for nature’s power (which may, in our lifetime, include global, cataclysmic “corrections”), a love of gardening and working the land, and an enjoyment, appreciation, and pure gratitude for our shared planet.

Today, I encourage you to take one action towards taking care of our physical surroundings. Consider: what good may any one of us do without a planet to live on? how successful are we (really) if we lack fresh drinking water? is success for ourselves and our families dependent on someone else’s failure? and finally, what will I do today to make a difference?

Here are some other ideas for you to put into practice:
1) Compost. Return any vegetable or organic matter back to the soil: it replenishes the earth and gives you good planting material to start the cycle anew. A worm compost bin is a fun project for the whole family.

2) Recycle. Put your bottles and cans in the recycle bin. Lobby your leadership for recycling programs. Recycle paper and purchase post-consumer grade paper.

3) Share. Many garden and workshop tools may be shared: organize with your neighbors to share lawn tools and other equipment.

4) Reuse. Many items in your home simply need some repair, mending, or a fresh coat of paint; alternatively, put your objects “back into circulation” by donating them or hosting a garage sale. If you don’t love it or use it regularly, it doesn’t belong in your home.

5) Reduce. Ask yourself if your purchase is truly necessary. If it is, at least find something with minimal or no packaging. Hint! Bring your own bag.

6) Plant. Putting a few bushes or ideally a fruit tree into the ground will provide some shade, color, and oxygen to any environment. Find a good one that will do well in your climate and zone.

7) Bring your own. Bring a fork, knife and a take-out package to your restaurant or deli, thus avoiding having to use styrofoam or plastic sporks. Cart your own mug to the coffee place and have the barista wash it out.

8) Use e-documents. Find alternatives to paper, such as electronic payments, electronic invoicing, phone support, or e-mail attachments. Paper comes from trees.

9) Incorporate working from home or walking/biking to work. Each day that you work from home, you reduce your reliance on fossil fuels, you increase your satisfaction with your job, and you save yourself the hassle and frustration of a commute. When you walk or bike, you use your own power, get some fresh air and exercise, and model responsible behavior to coworkers.

10) Convert. If you are able, convert to biodiesel. Invest in a hybrid vehicle. Install solar panels, rainwater catchments, and gray water filtration if possible. Save energy by making sure your appliances are Energy Star rated. Investigate LEEDS certification for new buildings. Choose recycled paper for printing jobs. Offer incentives to employees or associates if they choose “green” alternatives.

11) Repair. Water waste, dripping faucets, and leaky commodes all contribute to reduced water conservation. Increase your awareness and vigilance of saving water by repairing leaks in your home, office, or school.

12) Use sustainably-created products in the place of one-time use products. (Think switches like washable plates instead of styrofoam plates, potato forks instead of plastic forks, vinegar and baking soda instead of harsh chemical cleaners, and the list goes on)

Link: http://greenearthofficesupply.stores.yahoo.net/

I invite all women to put the above into practice: by paying attention to these small details, we act as responsible stewards of our larger environment. Thinking about success in these endeavors, and acting on them, will bring us shared success in the short-term and for future generations.

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