Changing Into Green: A First Step Guide

One of the things I try to do as I go through my day is analyze each action for its impact on the earth, and especially on global warming.

Admittedly, it's not an easy thing to do. Most of the time we rush from one thing to the next without even pausing to take a breath, let alone consider a truly ponderous challenge of how our actions are affecting our children's future.

But it's really the only way we, as individuals, can really do something. And it gives you real karma feedback when you make a little breakthrough.

For example, I'd always had trouble remembering to take along a canvas shopping bag to the grocery store. The best answer to the question "paper or plastic?" of course is neither. But you have to remember to bring the bag!

Part of the problem is that I often shop while riding my bike, which means I already have a bag — either on my back (backpack) or around my waist (waist pack). Problem solved there.

But when I buy more than I can carry on my bike, I need the bags.

Here's how I finally forced myself into the habit of remembering. The day came when I went through checkout and they asked paper or plastic. I said, wait a minute. Let me run back out to the car and get the bags. So that's what I did. They didn't seem to mind too much, just set aside my stuff. It was an inconvenience having to bag everything up, and it cost me a few minutes out of my day.

But hey, next time I remembered! And the next time after that! Something about forcing myself to walk the extra mile jiggered my subconscious into reminding myself when I got out of the car to take the bags in with me.

Try it. It may be a nuisance the first time or two, but it'll work wonders in the long run.

— Paul Andrews, GreenforGood

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