Writers:

Do the green actions of individuals even matter?

Posted on Jan. 31, 2008 at 8:25 a.m.

BARNEY COMMENTED, ON JANUARY 17, 2008 AT 5:18 P.M.:
Dear Eco chicks. With so much sustainability and green talk going on, I'm wondering what impact one person can really have. If I only have the energy to change one or two things in my life to lessen my impact on the planet, what should I do? Is screwing in a new light bulb enough? Cold showers? Bury my car? Paper instead of plastic? Have a green burial? Help me make sense of all this.

Comments (5):

my name commented, on February 4, 2008 at 10:32 a.m.:

Dear Barney,
In an attempt to help you make two powerful changes in your daily life, I suggest:
1. Stop driving if possible
2. Overhaul your home efficiency, including weatherization, lighting, and minding general energy consumption.

If eliminating driving is not an option (and assuming a hybrid is also not an option), try to plan your driving activity to be most efficient. Keep a well maintained car, tire air pressure, air filters, etc. Combine errands and driving trips: If driving to work, plan to stop after work for groceries, rather than an added trip over the weekend.

If the driving suggestion still sounds too difficult, then look at your other carbon generating activities. For example, food. Buying local and organic really does make a difference. Eating lower on the food chain, if even for most meals not all, also makes a large difference.

Let's see if these suggestions work for you...if not, maybe I post more. GOOD LUCK!

Jill commented, on February 4, 2008 at 10:33 a.m.:

Barney, you seem to already know the drill.

And "my name" helped reinforce it.

My own take on this stuff is that the 2 biggest global environmental problems are climate change and massive species extinction. So do something that helps one of those two problems first.

Make it something you can actually do, realistically. (You know how people new to exercise vow they'll go from doing nothing to working out six days a week? Not sustainable, right? And then they -- well, okay, I actually -- feel bad for failing, and give up altogether.)

Going green is like that. Pick something you, Barney, can do. You know your habits and your foibles, so you've got to pick it youreslf. Follow through on that one thing, and reward yourself for it. Instead of burying your car, stop driving it one day a week. No driving on Mondays, say. Once you get used to that and it's a consistent habit, move on to another day a week or to something else. And so on.

Let it come on slowly, and pat yourself on the back every step of the way. Psychologists say adopting new habits requires lots of positive reinforcement.

Keep us posted on your progress!

Missy commented, on February 6, 2008 at 1:35 p.m.:

Last fall I helped some friends take their sail boat back up the river for storage.

When we got into the river there was sign that said " if you see anyone dumping into the River - Dial 311".

We had to wait for all the bridges to open. We were in the back of the Lyric Opera Building, waiting for the bridge, when a very large round tube opened up and dumped lots of bad stuff in the river, including Styrofoam cups!!!

I called 311 and reported it. They asked where I was. I said I was in the river just behind the building, looking at it dumping. She kept asking how I could be "in the river", and after I fully explained it to her, she transferred me to the 1st person - I was transferred 4 times. None of them knew about the sign that said to 311! For all I know they continue to dump every day.!

I have sent this to the Mayors office and about 5 other goventment offices.

laurene commented, on February 22, 2008 at 11:45 a.m.:

Hi Missy - There are two very important numbers that everyone in CHicago and especially on the river need to know. One of those numbers is the number for reporting dumping in the river. It is 1-800-332 DUMP. Unfortunately the agency (Metropolitan Water Reclamation District)that staffs that number does not widely publicize it. The other people to call are Friends of the CHicago River (312 939-0490). Even if they can't run out there and clean it up immediately they know what to do and can use your report in their advocacy. You did absolutely the right thing by reporting what you saw, and as city phone operators get more used to people reporting such things they will handle them more expeditiously. I know that the city is committed to swift follow up...but, they need more people to speak up about what they see and not accept debris floating around our living river.

laurene commented, on February 22, 2008 at 11:54 a.m.:

Hi Barney:
I'd like to suggest another key individual behavior: model your actions for others. Kids are especially motivated when they see an adult that they respect do something. So, if you ever hang out with young people, make a point of recycling with them, or simply picking up a piece of trash outside in front of them. Take them into nature and say "I love trees" or perhaps something more poetic and genuine. Also, brag about your recycling and new light bulbs to your friends and neighbors. The new bulbs make for all kinds of interesting discussion. Your peers (I presume they are adults), are influenced by you! Adults care about what other adults think and do.
Have fun making change, you individually unique you!