25 replies to this topic

[Shortpoet-GTD]

Do you have any that you want to break, or at least reduce?
(We're all guilty of something non-green)
What's your non-green bad habit? (We won't judge too harshly)

[tigerlily78]

My morning coffee and my affinity for a soda from time to time are probably my worst non-green "habits". Well, that and that I still eat meat and dairy. But I do eat far less than I used to and try to make sure more of it is sustainably sourced, so I guess that is progress.

For most of my time as a greenie I have felt empowered and positive about making green lifestyle changes (rather than feeling resentful of "making sacrifices" like many people seem to), but it does seem now that I have tackled most of the low hanging fruit and "basics" it's harder to make those bigger commitments to change. Particularly when you've reached a point of feeling like you are doing so much more than most people.... sometimes I feel this emotional fatigue of "why should I do EVERYTHING, when it seems almost everyone else is doing NOTHING?"

[SpiroFlo]

It's interesting how some people consider their diet a green issue while others don't (even if they're separate, I still think there's a lot of overlap between the two issues). If diet is in, I'm as guilty as tigerlily78 (though swap coffee for tea).

[Shortpoet-GTD]

Mine is my cats. Because of budget concerns, I'm not always able to get the most environmentally
sustainable litter products, though it's usually good 75-80% of the time.
At least they're all vegetarians now, I stopped buying chicken/beef/pork can cat food a few years ago.
My biggest quilt was last summer when I was forced by extreme temperatures to get two window a/c
units. My monthly kWh usually runs around 35-55 but my peak usage was 571 one month.

[Germs]

My diet is probably not very green, and i frequently leave electricals on without thinking, i'm cutting down on this a fair amount though, i'm just very forgetful.

[SpiroFlo]

Germs, on 10 November 2011 - 01:56 PM, said:

My diet is probably not very green, and i frequently leave electricals on without thinking, i'm cutting down on this a fair amount though, i'm just very forgetful.

Nope, I'm going to assume you're an Eco-villain (a la "Captain Planet"). It's not forgetfulness; it's just one more of your evil hobbies -- like dumping toxic waste in the ocean or burying uranium in a playground.

[Germs]

SpiroFlo, on 11 November 2011 - 09:20 AM, said:

Nope, I'm going to assume you're an Eco-villain (a la "Captain Planet"). It's not forgetfulness; it's just one more of your evil hobbies -- like dumping toxic waste in the ocean or burying uranium in a playground.

You forgot the seal clubbing and field burning, but that can be forgiven just this once.

[SpiroFlo]

Indeed. With a name like Germs you're clearly ready to gt a ring to make Captain Pollution.

[sbircris.jr]

Definitely my car. Even thou I live in a town with very good infrastructure, and I could easily use the public transportation, I don't do it. I don't know why, I jump into my car even thou I can walk the distance in 10min :-(

[zararina]

Even I would like to limit my usage of the internet, I can't since I am using it to work. I just try my best not to use it and then turn ON the TV at the same time (I do that sometimes). Sometimes I just let the TV on even I am not really watching but just on very seldom occasions.

[Sandra Piddock]

I leave too many appliances on standby, and I don't always remember to turn off the lights in empty rooms. When the electric bill comes in, I tend to be a bit frugal for a few weeks, then I slip into the old habits again. Otherwise, I'm pretty well behaved as far as green issues go. I hardly ever waste anything.

[MakingCents]

Leaving plugs in the outlets when they aren't being used and my driving habits. I feel like I"m always running late which leads to lots of accelerating on teh gas to try to beat the red lights (hangs head in shame)

[mariaandrea]

I'm addicted to post-it notes. There, I said it. I use too many. They aren't necessary. I could just use homemade scratch paper and tack notes to the wall.

*hangs head in shame*

[Shortpoet-GTD]

mariaandrea, on 22 February 2012 - 11:49 PM, said:

I'm addicted to post-it notes. There, I said it. I use too many. They aren't necessary. I could just use homemade scratch paper and tack notes to the wall.

*hangs head in shame*

If I could find a wagging finger smilie icon, I'd post it here.
But don't feel too bad, with all the other great things you do, you're way ahead of most.

[Sandra Piddock]

mariaandrea, on 22 February 2012 - 11:49 PM, said:

I'm addicted to post-it notes. There, I said it. I use too many. They aren't necessary. I could just use homemade scratch paper and tack notes to the wall.

*hangs head in shame*

Me too! I love them. I don't do technical, so something so simple and effective really resonates with me. However, I have mitigating circumstances - I have 3 different sized post-it notes, and I choose the size most suited to whatever I want to write on it. And that, your honour, is the case for the defence!

[Shortpoet-GTD]

Sentence-plant 6 trees this spring. Probation after that.

[MakingCents]

I'm not in school anymore, but I used to be addicted to index cards. I put everythin gI needed to study on an index card to make flashcards. I probably went through thousands

[mariaandrea]

I used to LOVE making flash cards. First for me when I was in school, then for my kids when they were little.

The truth is, that there are always little things that slip through even when we try to be green. I know I sometimes leave lights on or electronics plugged in or let water run too long. I try not to and I think about these things, but no one is perfect. I don't buy everything organic - I printed that list of cleanest and dirtiest veggies and fruits (pesticides) and carry that in my wallet and shop accordingly because I just can't afford all organic. We do what we can do and we try to do better and we try to force change at policy levels and we try to convince other people to change and that's all we can do.

[Sandra Piddock]

Agreed, Mariaandrea. The danger with green living - and everything else for that matter - is that if you become too obssessed with it, it can spoil your natural enjoyment of life and all its wonders. As green living is all about preserving that life for ourselves and future generations, it rather defeats the intention.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

Sandra Piddock, on 24 February 2012 - 01:31 AM, said:

The danger with green living - and everything else for that matter - is that if you become too obsessed with it, it can
spoil your natural enjoyment of life and all its wonders. As green living is all about preserving that life for ourselves and future generations, it rather defeats the intention.

Well said.
And we can become too judgemental when a "holier than thou" attitude takes over.