It's interesting when friends make excuses for their brand of milk in the fridge or reasons why they have a Styrofoam coffee cup in their hands. They feel the need to confess in some weird way for not being "green" enough. When this happens I share that I believe "green doesn't mean perfect."
Just because you value conservation and seek to protect the environment it doesn't mean that everything you do needs to fit within a certain criteria or look a particular way. There isn't a checklist or secret handbook that people follow to be accepted in the green movement. Sure, we all try to be mindful of what we buy or consume or throw away. We try to take that next step. But it isn't always perfect and that is okay.
I wonder if this could this be one of the major hurdles that prevent some people from embracing an environmentally friendly lifestyle? The perception that a green lifestyle is an all-or-nothing gig. So if that were the case someone might say "I own a gas guzzler so I can't be green" or "I buy clothes from a big chain store that were made in another country so I can't be a conservationist". Sometimes we may lose the point in trying to fit the mold, but we shouldn't give up.
Any action that takes a step forward is valuable and meaningful. If everyone took just one step toward conservation in their lives, it would be huge! When I started my journey towards becoming more eco-friendly, I had a long talk with myself. You see I have perfectionist tendencies that I keep in check and I wanted to be able to give myself enough time to really understand the changes in our lives and make meaningful steps along the way. How much time did I give myself? A lifetime.
I say a lifetime because this is not a passing fad or my trend of the month. My journey started in one place and has taken me step by step to where I am now and to where I am going. For that I am grateful and also humbled. I don't do everything right. If you had a 24/7 camera on me, you would see any number of less than eco-friendly actions and behaviors. I have thrown things away when I am out that could have been taken home and recycled or wasted food when I knew better. I indulge on foods that aren't local or organic. I've used the car when I could have taken public transit. I admit it all because I have probably done it all. I am far from perfect.
In the end, I understand the choice even if I don't make the right ones each time. After learning more I see the impact my choices have on the environment and that makes me more mindful. This insight encourages me to try to take meaningful steps and allow the journey to unfold.
-Eco Chic
Thanks, Jen, points well made. No one needs to be perfect before taking positive steps. At the same time, it's frustrating when there are so many common misconceptions surrounding sustainability. Check out our myth-busting video “What’s Your Big Green Lie?!” which gives a taste of the widespread ignorance of green issues at http://www.biggreenlies.com. Perhaps this well help ensure that the steps we do take are effective. Thanks!
Posted by: Greenlantern | April 19, 2009 at 05:37 PM