Green Post

Inspired by a woman I deeply admire I thought I would start this green blog (or snot blog lol). My friend's blog is about food and life. She shares her passion for food and all things yummy. And so inspired by her wit and love I decided to share my passion - reducing my carbon footprint.

This week I began recieving e-mails about Earth Hour. There was a link to calculating your carbon footrpint - www.earthhour.org.au You can also sign up to join Earth Hour! I calculated my carbon footprint and was astounded that it would take 1.5 planets to sustain me. I always thought I was 'green' and environmentally aware.

When I was just starting out in high school, some 28 years ago, there has a huge push to eliminate CFC's from spray cans. They were considered the root evil of the hole in the ozone layer. It was believed that just by stopping manufacturers from using CFC's we could save the deterioration of the hole in the ozone layer. It didn't work and we are now in a much worse situation.

But that push back in the early 80's did awaken the environmentalist in me. I made small changes but not enough. I did what was convenient. Not what was essential. I still have, and use, my first calico and string shopping bags. And on my book shelf are three books that are well worn and well used. They are still relevent today, nearly 30 years later, as they were when they were first published. They are:

Hard Times Kitchen Book

Hard Times Handbook

The Complete Book of Self Sufficiency (there is a new a version of this recently released last year)

Needless to say that my bookshelf has expanded somewhat over the years and also includes magazines such as G, Organic Gardener, Warm Earth, Grass Roots and Earth Garden.

The thing is that I do what I can and that is all I can do. I have inspired others over the years to start vegetable gardens, say no to plastic, recycle etc....

My parents gave me my first three books on reduce, recycle and re-using (the three listed above). Dad used to always grow tomatoes, lemons, strawberries and other selected fruit and vegetables. Before I was around he also had chooks in the backyard. Without knowing it, my dad was a greenie. My mum is taking on my message too about recycling.

Recently when her two seater swing broke she recycled all but a hand full of pieces. The frame was retained and used as the centrepiece for a garden bed. The frame has an array of hanging baskets on it. Some of the straight parts have been used as stakes for other plants. The chain that was the seat is now framed and being used for growing beans up it!

Mum and dad have the best lemon trees going. Mum gives shopping bags of lemons away to the neighbours. And they taste delicious too.

The way my parents and grandparents and previous generations lived had very low environmental foot prints. There is a lot to learn from them....