As I conclude this week, I want to give a special thank you to http://craftythriftydecoratingwifemom.wordpress.com/ for joining me on this week-long challenge to look at the carbon footprint we are all leaving on this world. It was such a joy reading your posts this week! I learned from you and you inspired me!
I have learned a lot this week, unfortunately these have been mostly painful lessons (but a couple of less painful ones as well!) I feel like this week has been very valuable because it is always important to take stock and honestly admit how our actions effect the world that we live in. This is what I discovered.
The GOOD:
- I recycle some of my stuff, usually via donations
- My girls are somewhat aware of their impact on the environment
- I use a lot of plastic bottles, but they are recycled
- I realize I eat healthier than many people
- I am not more aware…..
The BAD:
- I use WAY too many plastic bottles
- Half of the items in our lunch boxes come in plastic (yogurt, etc.)
- Our energy consumption is too high, and mostly due to convenience or not bothering to choose to conserve (leaving lights on in multiple rooms simultaneously, etc.
The UGLY:
I am lazy, I like to use disposables. If using a disposable plate means no washing dishes, I am thrilled to do so. I also eat WAY too much processed foods, which all come in unbelievable amounts of plastic wrappings. I could choose to NOT use disposable plates, forks, etc. and I could also choose to eat healthier foods that are fresh and not processed and packed in plastic.
Today, 250 days ’til 40, I realize that I must make a strong commitment to being a responsible global citizen. I can choose to reduce the negative, wasteful impact that my family has on our world. I can choose to work to reduce our carbon footprint. I hope you choose to work to tread lightly too.
~400daystil40
Fortuitous Forty!!! 
honestgoodadvice
June 16, 2012 at 00:53
Reblogged this on Honestgoodadvice's Blog and commented:
We all need to do our part, the first step is realizing the impact that we make in the world…how do you impact the earth?
400daystil40
June 16, 2012 at 01:07
🙂
honestgoodadvice
June 16, 2012 at 01:11
Happy Friday thank you for sharing your thoughts with the world 😉
The Quiet Borderline
June 16, 2012 at 00:54
Noooooo! I have ran out of plastic disposable bowls to have my cereal in in the morning! Looks like… I’ll… have…. to… use… a…. ceramic bowl!!
400daystil40
June 16, 2012 at 01:07
Yes, isn’t the thought horrible????? 🙂
The Quiet Borderline
June 16, 2012 at 02:03
Terrifying!!
The Quiet Borderline
June 16, 2012 at 12:37
I’ve got one disposable bowl left of which I am rinsing it out and re-using it again – not bad going!
400daystil40
June 17, 2012 at 01:07
🙂 😉
silverbells2012
June 16, 2012 at 00:56
I hope you will be able to eat less processed food – much better for your health as well as the planet. Good luck!
400daystil40
June 16, 2012 at 01:06
Yes, very true! I am on the right track – I cut out gluten and sugar about six months ago and feel so much healthier!
silverbells2012
June 16, 2012 at 01:08
Good that you feel healthier!
viveka
June 16, 2012 at 01:19
Your week has made you think … and be more aware. Only the thought on eating with plastic fork and knife is horror, something for airlines.
400daystil40
June 17, 2012 at 01:13
That made me laugh!!!!
viveka
June 17, 2012 at 01:15
Good! *smile
craftythriftydecoratingwifemom
June 16, 2012 at 04:39
Thanks for your kind words. I wouldn’t have thought to write any of this if you hadn’t sparked the idea. I’ve been inspired by you, too. We live in different situations so of course, have different options. You reminded me I’ve got to remind sonny to rinse and recycle his yogurt cups!
Janet
400daystil40
June 17, 2012 at 01:12
You are welcome! Thank you so much for joining me!!!! 🙂
Marie-Adeline
June 16, 2012 at 08:04
your carbon footprint posts are impressive ! at home we recycle plastic, paper and glasses, we fix several times broken items before changing them, we try to eat less processed food as possible however i feel we’re still consuming too much
400daystil40
June 17, 2012 at 01:11
I understand those feelings!!!
Spider42
June 16, 2012 at 10:14
Sounds like you’ve learnt a lot and come a ways and taking steps on a better road is great so I’d like to wish you all the best on keeping at it. Doesn’t have to be big and life-altering, it’s all the little bits that help the most 😉
(Oh and last thought – perhaps when you get more used to less packaged foods and such you could do what many folks I know do, which is to just get milk and make your own yogurt at home, I make it at home everyday and carry it with me in a small airtight container that can be washed and reused.)
400daystil40
June 17, 2012 at 01:09
Yes, I definitely learned a lot – the question is whether or not we will do anything with that learning!!! 🙂
mskatykins
June 16, 2012 at 11:04
Excellent job, congratulations on your journey/discoveries and your honesty about it! 🙂
I feel like I am reasonably good at recycling and not using stuff that I don’t need to etc. There are lots of things I’m doing right, CF wise, but living on the Isle of Lewis makes us relatively isolated. I have the choice of the ferry or the little plane back to mainland Scotland. I’m sorry to say that I will openly state that I’d prefer the plane. I can’t stand how rough the waters often are and I would rather pay through the nose to get home quickly. That’s bad. I don’t go home too often but I realise it’s an awful thing to do when I choose to! EEK!
400daystil40
June 17, 2012 at 01:09
Thank you!!! I must say that I am glad to be through that week and back to other posts – it was harder than I thought. Wow, very interesting that you are forced to take a ferry or plane – sometimes that is the reality of where we live!
Sylvia
June 17, 2012 at 21:37
Have you, or do you garden much? It can be the simplest thing of contributing back to the planet and watching it grow, hell, you could use those plastic forks as props for the plants!
400daystil40
June 17, 2012 at 23:50
What a great idea! I do not have a place for a garden (we live in an apartment), but I do have flowers on my balcony. 🙂