Sunday, March 8, 2009

Who Said it's Not Easy Being Green?

Anyone who has been around in the latter part of the last century will know it was Kermit the Frog who used to sing "It's Not Easy Being Green". I'm told by my musical guru (Joe) that Van Morrison also did a version of the song, though I've never heard it. Back in the '70's Kermit was referring to the fact that it wasn't easy to be a different color, "green" now has another meaning: being environmentally friendly.

Living in a green manner has always been a priority of mine, even back before it was stylish. I'm not claiming to be a trend-setter, it had more to do with the fact that it just didn't make sense to me to throw things away, to have them sitting in a landfill, when I knew they could be reused. Before curbside recycling was available I'd dutifully collect cans, plastic and newspapers and drive them to the recycling center in Lynn, Wilson as a toddler in tow. How much easier it is now to just set a couple bins out at the curb every other week! It blows my mind that there are still people who find that to be too much trouble.

It could be argued that what one person does won't make much difference to the planet as a whole. Whether or not I add a few cans or plastic jugs to a landfill each month, or toss the laundry in the drier won't alter the track of global warming, certainly. It would be simpler to throw worn out batteries and CFL bulbs into the trash rather than collecting them and bringing to the recycling center; yet in reality, it only takes a few moments to drop them off at the store where we would be shopping anyway. It adds and extra step and I need to remember to bring them when I go. I think a lot of it is to do with getting into the habit. There was a time when I never would have remembered to bring my own bags to the store with me, now it's as natural as grabbing my coat or car keys.


Do the actions of one person make difference? Maybe, maybe not. What is important is that I'm living in accordance with my values. When enough people are of the same mindset that is when we will see some change.

1 comment:

Tina said...

Rock on! You are an inspiration to me Kim.