Eco commentary

Who decides what your level of your eco activism is in your home and community? There is always going to be someone who is more green, more vigilant, more vocal. That is great- they lead the movement and help teach us new and exciting ways to slowly and permanently incorporate changes into our lives. They are the people that recycle and rehab old objects into useful new pieces. Thank you Ed Bagely Jr. and Larry Hagman for sharing with us, along with countless others.
That said, the person/people who determine your level of eco participation is you and yours. Making grandiose changes with principles that are new to you will doubtfully make an everlasting impression on your home. Making small changes create a large impact. Being eco friendly is not "Keeping up with the Jones'" but we all need to do something.
What our house does?
My home has some negatives that keep us from being as eco-friendly as I want. Namely, it's a rental. But, that being said we do have some perks. Here in the Bay Area we have a recycling program in place so my busy boys are growing up with the concept. The first memories of recycling in my community come from the 4th grade. It's been awhile-and again something we are lucky to have. Additionally, we compost- due to a community program we learned how to compost and have the area to do so in our side yard. My husband loves to garden so we plant one every spring. This is something I am proud to share with our children- even though I prefer to pick the veggies and nothing else-it is a family piece of our household.
Then the other changes- solar powered security light, replacing bulbs with CFL's, trying to replace batteries with rechargeable ones, turning off lights and televisions when not in use, unplugging the toaster and coffeemaker when not in use, reusing items (including fabrics that would have been thrown away for my business products), using cleaning products that are natural, buying items that have reduced packaging, buying eco friendly products, using cold water for our most of our washing, using an HE washer with He eco detergent, buying as much local and organic foods as we can afford. There is more but you get the drift, in our case our household can handle this, I enjoy this. To other people we are doing too much or too little. But, for us we know we are making changes 1 at a time that over time just evolve into our lifestyle. Then we make another adjustment. We live in comfort with our 'greenness' Small changes, plus more small changes will make a difference, and it will teach our children. Don't let others tell you your level of eco- you decide it- you live with it. The point is to have some sort of positive eco output in your home/ life. Make a plan.
Up next in our plan is getting a rain/ gray water barrel to help reduce the water output for our garden. (It takes our house a long time for the water to warm up for showers and baths- that would go in the barrel too!)
What's in your plan? I would love to know what your household does to be 'green' or what is next in your plan. It is definitely a new time of change, one in which we all need to participate at some level. 1 small change makes a big difference. 1 small change, 1 big difference in the world and a good feeling in spirit/soul/responsibility wherever you feel it. Be proud!