Are you environmentally friendly....???

[Pembroke_Corgi]

The thing is that a lot of products touted "environmentally friendly" are double edged swords. For example, check out where the parts and batteries for hybrids are made. It's an ecologist's worst nightmare. Also check out Toyota's opposition to legislation that would actually help the environment but hurt car companies' pocketbooks. "Organic" produce is often grown in a general state and shipped thousands of miles. So what's the worst of the two evils? Locally grown produce with a fairly minimal amount of pesticides or organically grown produce that has been shipped across the country? I try my best, but we as a society have to do more than make things look and sound good.

For that, we've taken to buying the bulk of our food at farmer's markets and are in the process of growing our own little veggie garden. So far, we've got tomatoes, lemons, squash, pumpkins, and bell peppers are in the process of growing. We recycle and we compost. Uneaten meats and starches are given to the dogs while superfluous vegetable matter is composted. We're vegetarian for nature's sake, and we try our best to abstain our dogs from beef. You'd be amazed by how much water and natural resources it takes to raise a single cow.

We do our best and hope our little drop completes the ever-growing bucket.

You're right- many ideas that people have about what is eco-friendly often stem from advertising. For example, buying hybrid cars. Another thing to consider when choosing a car that people don't think about is the energy and pollution it takes to produce and destroy a car- smaller cars do not cause as much pollution to make or destroy, and buying a used car means that you do not need to create the demand for another car created. Your point about buying local produce is also good, and I definitely agree with going vegetarian for helping the earth.

As for me, I try to practice good habits for a sustainable lifestyle- but I want to do more. I buy used when I can- recycling is a good thing! It also (as a pleasant side effect) saves money. I also donate any unwanted items I have to Goodwill or somewhere similar so I don't have to just throw out. I rent, so I can't make too many modifications to my house, but I "winter proof" the house as best I can to cut back on energy- and try to keep the thermostat at a reasonable temperature. We also don't use air conditioning, and I definitely try to be conscious about my water consumption. I don't water the lawn for the sake of vanity- that is actually a huge pet peeve of mine- people watering their lawns and ending up with half of the water on the sidewalk. My husband and I are both vegetarians, we drive small vehicles with decent gas mileage, and try to combine trips. Every little bit helps, I guess.

[Glacier]

We recycle as much as possible; all cans, drink containers, newspaper, magazines, plastics. We compost all the food waste. I buy local products when it's possible. We have switched all the light bulbs in the house to those compact flourscent ones. Don't need to use the lights much in the summer around here and definately don't need AC! I try to buy things with as little packaging as possible. I buy in bulk when I can. I'm a big fan of Tupperware and try to avoid using plastic wraps. I drive as little as possible. I prefer to travel by dog team!