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What to buy and what NOT to buy...

Not all of us are going to dedicate our whole lives towards going into polluted rivers or develop technology to clean the planet that we all share. Nevertheless, we all have a great power bestowed upon us that may seem futile at a first look - the power to choose what to buy and what not to buy. Money goes a long way, and by taking a little time to make sure we aren't supporting businesses or the creation of products that are causing undue suffering to animals or the environment we can make just as big of a difference.

You may have heard about the benefits of organic (the most important ones include eliminating dangerous pesticides as well as the greenhouse gases needed to make them and giving animals more humane treatment), but how much organic is in your own life? There is a challenge out there to make one out of ten of the things you buy organic - and even this is low for the standards of those of us that consider ourselves hardcore 'treehuggers'! Don't believe the hype? Is organic turning out to be more expensive? There are savvy ways to save your money when buying organic (such as buying in bulk), and for those just starting on the organic journey it may be wise to start with just a few products that are most likely to retain harmful pesticides otherwise (fruits such as apples - check out this top 10 list - http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-top-10-foods-to-eat-organically.html).

Also, did you know that organic eating can be better for your heart? Check out this article: http://www.truthout.org/issues_06/070607HA.shtml.

For those of you that want to go a step further, there are organic fibers as well! I've heard that it is not so important to bother about organic dry cleaning or organic cosmetics, but check out some awesome alternatives to dangerous chemical-filled dry cleaning here: http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc/ask/wetclean.

Now, here's another important category - local products! Yes, this is an endorsement for your farmer's market. (Check out where to find one near you - http://www.localharvest.com.) There is an excellent argument on that site for local organic food, but basically we can lessen our contribution to global warming by cutting down on transportation costs. Try seeing if you can get fresh farm delivery with a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program each week - Local Harvest also has great information about them! If you think you're ready to transition, take on the 100-mile diet! (Check out http://www.100milediet.org!)

It's all right if you don't get EVERYTHING organic and local at first, but we encourage you to make realistic goals each week that work for you and the environment. However, here are just three of the 10 things that Co-op America says we should NEVER buy again (http://www.care2.com/dailyaction/primary.html?da%5Btoday%5D=2007-08-20):

• Styrofoam cups (trash that lasts forever!)
• Paper towels (this can shock almost everyone! Try looking for recycled ones or, better yet, stick with rags or dishtowels!)
• Conventional household cleaners (look for advice on the site above or http://www.care2.com to see how to make your own cleaners that are better for your health and nature's but just as effective!)

Boycotting has been one of the primary historical means of rebellion - why not use a tried and true method even as we explore innovative products that may help to save our planet?

Hopefully these tidbits will inspire you to start with at least one small step to change the world!

Any comments, advice and additional tips are heartily welcomed!

For a small, helpful tip every day, get a subscription to the Sierra Club's Green Life! http://action.sierraclub.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Signup_GreenLife

Thanks for taking this chance to learn how to be a responsible consumer!

Want to be a Carbon Conscious Consumer?

Here's a simple message I found when pledging to forgo my car for just ONE day next week:

It takes total carbon dioxide emissions from most countries worldwide combined to equal just vehicle emissions in the United States, and as we consume more and more gas, pressure builds to drill in fragile and conflict-ridden areas. Yet a quarter of the trips Americans make are within walking distance, and each American driver could keep nearly a thousand pounds of carbon dioxide out of the air by taking the Carbon Conscious Consumer pledge to find an alternative to driving only one day each week. With gas prices so high, now is a great time to start reducing our reliance on cars.

Each month from July to December, Carbon Conscious Consumer (c3.newdream.org) will highlight a new, simple way each individual can make an impact, plus show the difference each person makes both individually and along with the people they’ve influenced; prizes go to participants who influence the most new pledges.

This August, keep the car in the driveway one day each week. Each gallon of gas that goes unused keeps twenty pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. In addition to benefiting the environment, participants will save money on gas, get exercise, and 39 participants will win one of four prizes like an all-expenses paid spot on the Sustainable Energy in Motion Bicycle Tour. They can even go one step further and use information they find on c3.newdream.org to improve their gas mileage for the times they do have to drive. Visit the website now to get started.

This came from C3 (Carbon Conscious Consumer)'s Online Promotion Kit: http://c3.newdream.org/more/email.php (copy and paste the link or just click one of the above ones to get to the website!).

Let me know what you think and if you take the pledge! Thanks for your support and action!

Like Movies?

Here's an innovative way to learn about our world and make a contribution to the planet!

If you've watched documentaries such as An Inconvenient Truth or those on National Geographic, you know just how big an impact seeing nature's beauties and sufferings up close can have on our perspective and actions. This winter, a non-for-profit is taking the spotlight with a Film Festival in December - the Jules Vernes Adventure Film Festival is probably not one to miss for Los Angeles residents or those that can make the trip anytime from December 5-16 to see them. If you want to see some great videos from your home or get more information about what this great organization does, check out www.julesvernefestival.com! It's a feast that no nature-lover should miss!