Comments on: Green Spotlight: Eileen Tackles Green Guilt and Eco-Friendly Economics

By: Joy (from Just Plain Joy)

Joy (from Just Plain Joy) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:23:51 +0000

Green guilt is just the tip of the iceberg…I also live with first world guilt – our abundance of food, toys, box stores, and clutter!

By: Eileen

Eileen — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 04:32:28 +0000

Angela, I really do understand how overwhelming it gets. For several years I did nothing except recycle (which is so second nature around here, it doesn’t even count!). And I guess that’s my point. Don’t worry about it all at once, just take care of one thing at a time. When that feels second nature, try another thing.

And I hear you on wanting to know what things actually make the biggest difference. One interesting tool is to calculate your carbon footprint. There are several places on the web to do this. IF you play around with it, you can see how different activities change your footprint compared to others.

By: Angela V-C

Angela V-C — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:13:55 +0000

I’m all for using guilt to our advantage, but sometimes as a parent I feel completely overwhelmed by it. I have to worry about lead, plastic, diapers, organics, sunscreen — each of these can have safety components, environmental components, and cost components. And then of course as a parent there’s thousands of other things I should worry about too (safety, childproofing, daycare, discipline, sleep, money, etc etc etc). I often wish for some good data about relative benefits so that I can focus my concerns in the most effective places.

But to stop complaining, I do think its great when we can make a choice that does double duty or even triple duty. Buying non-processed foods saves money, wastes fewer resources, and tastes better (but of course I have to balance that with the costs of time). No driving lowers my carbon emissions, keeps me fit, and gives me more opportunity to engage with my local community (and I have to balance that with time/inconvenience issues).

By: Fern

Fern — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 20:54:54 +0000

What a fabulous, sane, healthy attitude. And you’re absolutely right that the cornerstone of green living isn’t dropping $125 on organic Edun jeans, but having less – and somehow getting more! A few years ago, we spent nearly every Saturday at the mall, buying stuff we “needed.” Now we spend our Saturdays at the local park or in our friendly, walkable neighborhood. We’re so much happier – and I don’t cringe when I open the Visa bill, either. I’m going to keep your perspective on green guilt in mind whenever I stew over Not Doing Enough Right Now – thanks!