pinkkat Posted July 8, 2007 Share Posted July 8, 2007 Does anyone else out there find that trying to live an environmentally sound and ethical life gets really hard sometimes? I feel like I am so aware of the consequenses of everything I do, wether it's booking a holiday or buying apples from a supermarket prepagaged in a bag, I end up paralysed with worry and unable to enjoy anything because of the damage it does! And then I have days where I think "sod it all" because what I do doesn't make a blind bit of difference anyway! Is this just me? Do I need therapy? Or maybe just more to cuddle! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted July 8, 2007 Share Posted July 8, 2007 I've recently tried to become "green" and lifestyle aware but if I did everything the books tell me to I'd just tie myself up in knots. So I'm making gradual changes- am getting veggie box delivered instead of handing my money over to the supermarkets, have made my own chemical free cleaning products and am much more aware of products I do buy. For me it's a case of even a small change here and there is better than nothingand I intend to make lots more small changes in the future. Oh - and definately lots more cuddly chickens for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 8, 2007 Share Posted July 8, 2007 Yes, I agree - more chickens I've made many changes over many years...... but never seem to get where I want to be. Most of the time I feel I do enough and then sometimes, I feel I could do more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted July 8, 2007 Share Posted July 8, 2007 Small changes here and there contribute to a much bigger picture of global health, afterall from little acorns big oaks grow And more chickens is the way to go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted July 8, 2007 Share Posted July 8, 2007 We try to look at our lifestlye as a whole.................. Yes, I sometimes use a Tumble Dryer , use a Dishwasher daily,still use chemical cleaners in the home, shop at Supermarkets sometimes, have baths instead of showers, BUT I recycle/compost all I can,run a small & economical family car,run our company van on veggie oil which reduces emmisions by 60%,use the washing line when its not too wet, grow lots of my own veggies,buy as much organic as I can & keep hens. - It works for my concience! No one is perfect & its silly to worry really....I mean,what good will that do? Just do your best,enjoy doing it & chill out I can guarantee that even if you make small changes you will be doing more than a lot of people on this planet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindsay Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 I have days just like you Pinkkat, when I think that I can't possibly make a difference, but, as the others have said, the small changes really do add up. We now try to avoid the supermarket as much as possible, but I still use it sometimes. We have a veg box delivered and my plan for next year is to start growing our own. If I look back to 12 months ago, I can really see the change in our lifestyle ... more recycling etc .... so keep going, you really can make a difference!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 You're definitely not alone Pinkkat, there's 5 of us including 3 under 7 so in this wet weather I HAVE to use the tumble dryer. I use the dishwasher most days with their horrible chemical tablets, I use the supermarket as I shop on-line and nowhere else can deliver the amounts we need and I simply can't face a monthly supermarket shop with 3 children! I work as well, horrible hours, so I have to balance my conscience with convenience - enough to keep me sane. We also compost, grow veggies (excpet this year when EVERYTHING HAS BEEN SLUGGED and I try where I can. On days when you wish you could do more you just have to think that if everyone made one small change, turning off a light which I do ALL THE TIME at work grrrr, then the world would slowly change too. You can only do what you can do, it will never be enough but it's better than nothing. (haven't convinced myself really) Mrs Bertie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starboyhull Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 We have started to do our bit, we recycle, compost what we can, try not to use chemicals in the garden...... If you actually look at the science the earth used to be a lot wamer than it is now, so for the government to say that it is soley caused by our emmisions I dont agree with, I do think that if we cut emmisions and stop cutting down trees etc etc then we will be healthier, but I really dont think that it will make any difference to the earths natural cycles........ I think as long as people try their best then it will be a big improvement on whats been happening for the past 50+ years........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helly Welly Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 The earth did used to be warmer and there are natural cycles but things shouldn't be warming up as quick as they are. If it was a natural cycle then nature would adapt far more easily. Whether or not you feel you make a difference, you should still do all you can, to set an example and could you really go back to how you were before, knowing the consequences for the planet? Now i know how bad tumble driers are, i could never use one, though i understand how people have trouble. In my opinion, you can't beat a clothes horse, after all, previous generations had much larger families and no tumble driers. I have no chemicals in the house, i use diluted vinegar to clean everything and only use Ecover products for the washing machine and dishwasher. All my appliances are A+ rated, all food is organic where possible and seasonal and we monitor electricity consumption with an Electrisave. Its not all to do with global warming, its just the way it should be. After the war, we all kind of went astray and started living our lives in a way which wasn't good for the environment, both locally and globally, and wasn't goof for us either as nature isnt appreciated for what it can provide us with. The fact that children think that potatoes grow on trees is an example of where we've gone wrong. Keep going with trying to be greener, it does become second nature after a while and it is important whether the planet is getting warmer or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 I know just what you mean, the other day I stood in the supermarket wondering wether to get organic or Fair Trade bananas because the ones at the market (local business) were neither. Dammed if you do and dammed if you don't some days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 I sometimes feel that legislation is the only thing that will make some people change I try to do my best, but am guided by budget first and foremost, unfortunately Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurpleHen Posted July 18, 2007 Share Posted July 18, 2007 I sometimes get myself in a tizz over this too However, I know that I do my best most of the time and certainly a lot better than a lot of other people So the occasional supermarket trip or chemical cleaner has to just be weighed up against cloth nappies, mostly eco cleaners, recycling LOTS, composting, local food buying, second hand baby everything (well - almost ) and of course Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted July 19, 2007 Share Posted July 19, 2007 Change one thing ... I do think small changes make a difference, look at the growth in organic veg production for example, and the wider range of 'green' products over recent years. We have to live in the real world though - if I didn't work and had loads of money, yes I could afford to be a lot 'greener'. I had a very eco-aware friend living with me for a few months earlier this year, and she got me to change several things - turning off the mobile phone charger, for example, because it is using electricity even when you're not charging. I just hadn't realised, although it's obvious when you look at it. I'm interested in the Electrisave, Helly Welly - details? I do sometimes feel as if we are a tiny minority, though; I got on the Tube this morning and it was littered with free papers; the checkout girl last night started to put my loose peppers in a plastic bag until I stopped her; and my neighbour has just bought a 4x4 I am not giving up though, I am a great believer in small actions leading to big results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 23, 2007 Share Posted July 23, 2007 I whole-heartedly agree with what has been said here, especially Helly. I try to be green and would like to be better at it, but we must all do what fits within our lifestyle and means. At least we are doing something.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted July 23, 2007 Share Posted July 23, 2007 I know just what you mean, the other day I stood in the supermarket wondering wether to get organic or Fair Trade bananas because the ones at the market (local business) were neither. Dammed if you do and dammed if you don't some days Apparently - according to some cool jamaican dude (mum's friend went on a carribean cruise), all bananas are organic - they can't afford to separate them - or buy an chemicals to "assist" in the growth of bananas. its the fair trade that you want to look out for Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
