Super Eco

Photo credit: dno1967 on flickr

"For three million years we were hunter-gatherers, and it was through the evolutionary pressures of that way of life that a brain so adaptable and so creative eventually emerged. Today we stand with the brains of hunter-gatherers in our heads, looking out on a modern world made comfortable for some by the fruits of human inventiveness, and made miserable for others by the scandal of deprivation in the midst of plenty." Richard E Leakey

"Don't blow it, good planets are hard to find." Time Magazine

It can be real challenge to green our shiny thing loving, impulse buying, inner hunter-gatherer. Here are some basic tips that can help us be lean and green in our consumption:

1. Make lists of our consumer driven needs and desires, check them twice or three times before venturing out to shop. Personally it helps me--especially when food shopping--to check my cabinets thoroughly to make sure that I really need something before I buy it. The backs of cupboards and the drawers in my fridge often yield, upon close inspection, items that I think I need more of.
2. Delay gratification long enough on larger items to find the best price as locally as possible. This supports our local economy. The lack of local Mom and Pop stores for appliances and larger ticket items may make a trip to a nearby chain store inevitable. I usually decry the big-box shopping experience but at the very least a purchase from the greenest big-box store that you can find, supports someones livelihood. Because these establishments employ many of our neighbors and friends, buying locally--even from a larger store--may make more sense carbon footprint wise, than resorting to mail order. Always look for the Energy Star label when purchasing new appliances.
3. Buying used items or swapping goods and services whenever possible is a marvelous way to green your consumption. Vintage items and shabby-chic sensibilities are not going out of style any time soon.
4. Support local farmers, restaurants, craftsmen and women and service providers whenever humanly possible.
5. Buying fair trade, organic goods whenever possible supports eco-friendly land and workforce practices and humane cruelty free animal treatment.
6. Reducing and simplifying our needs, reusing what we already possess and recycling what we cannot upcycle or gift.
7. Walk, bike or use public transport whenever possible to shop.
8. Plan your shopping trips in the car as efficiently as possible, combining tasks and fun makes total sense for the green at heart. Asking a friend along for the ride or carpooling to the store or events is an energy efficient way to offset your carbon footprint.
9. When gift giving, we should always avoid willly nilly impulse buying. Thoughtful gift giving takes more effort but pays off with buckets and buckets of good green karma!

Happy green gathering!