by Barbara Allen

For years I have struggled with the gap between what I believe in and how I live. Life is so complex and busy today that it’s a challenge to keep up with the demands of our lives as it is. Many tools and products have become imbedded in our life style. So when someone comes along and points out that some fairly important part of our way of living is not only bad for us in some way but harmful to the planet, it creates a real internal struggle. I have been working for many years on “cleaning up my act” and “walking my talk”, and am still a long way from doing that. Part of my excuse has been financial. It sometimes DOES cost more to do the right thing–the more environmentally-friendly thing. Switching to low-energy use compact fluorescent light bulbs instead of the inexpensive incandescent bulbs is something I am just now beginning to do. I have known for a long time that it would save energy and save me money over time and be better for the planet, but the compact fluorescent's have always been so expensive that I relegated them to the bottom of my priority list. I recently discovered however, that Wal-Mart sells them for less than half the normal cost and so I have begun a process of replacing a bulb in my house every month. I can manage this.

But I realize that it’s also a matter of personal priorities. For years I have put the importance of eating healthy organic food at the very top of my list of priorities for myself and my family. The extra cost didn’t keep me from spending the extra money needed for this. And it was just a bonus that fulfilling our need was helpful for the environment as a whole. But that certainly wasn’t my original motivation. In fact I suppose that many of the lifestyle changes I have made over the years were done for my families health, not some altruistic concern for the planet. Then somewhere along the line I began to care about the health of others as well as the health of the planet. I’m hardly alone in this. I read recently that a poll showed that 83% of Americans said they "agreed with the goals of the environmental movement”. I think most of us do care. Its just the quandary of how to fit that caring into our life-style.

I began by taking small steps that I had learned would be helpful, like using a water-saving shower head and being conscious of how I used water. I usually take short showers now instead of long luxurious ones, and turn off the water while I brush my teeth. That sort of small action, I understand, can make a significant difference over the long run.

I guess what I am trying to say is that I understand that it’s not easy to make changes in the way you live if you don’t have some really intense motivation. I truly hope that things don’t get to the point where we all HAVE to do these things because our environment has reached a place where we are forced into these actions. Human nature being what it is we all have a tendency to procrastinate about doing things even though we know they are the right thing to do. Most of us need a great deal of motivation to make even small changes in our lifestyle. But–that said, we DO make changes, and we CAN make changes when we decide to. Many very useful changes can be made that don’t cost more (in fact many cost considerably less!) and aren’t a big deal to make. It just takes making the decision to create a new habit. I have found that once you have done something for a month it becomes part of your life. Then you don’t need to give it conscious attention any more. Taking several little steps (and perhaps an occasional biggish one) can be that simple. One a month and in a year you will have made a significant difference to the health of the planet, and either improved your own health or the health of your pocketbook in the bargain. Just as a butterfly fluttering its wings effects the air currents of the whole planet, each of our actions has a far-ranging effect.

If you have children in your family you can make an adventure out of it, with the whole family participating. Make a big colorful note for the refrigerator to remind everyone of the “Change for the Planet” you are working on this month. You can all get together and decide what the change will be each month. Cut out the articles so you have lists of ideas to work with and each nominate one that you can all vote on. That way you will all be involved in the decision-making and will help motivate one another to actually carry it out. It always helps to have company in efforts to make changes. We encourage one another to hang in there when alone we might give up or forget.

If you are a teacher this would be a wonderful project for your class at school. Together choose a “Change for the Planet” each month (like turning off the water when you brush your teeth) and check in throughout the month to see how you are each doing. Make a big poster illustrating it to hang on the wall. Make posters for the hall to encourage other classes to do the same. Each child can make a small poster to take home. Talk it up! Saving the planet can be fun!

The EPA puts out a booklet on Reducing Waste on its web site at http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/reduce/catbook.htm. This looks like it would be useful to teachers.

LIGHTING

The following information is from the Home Energy Saver website sponsored by the DOE and the EPA. http://www.homeenergysaver.lbl.gov./. You can type in your zip code and be given specific information on energy use and ways to save energy specifically geared to our area.

They say “Lamps used more than 2 hours per day on average are good candidates for replacement with compact fluorescent light bulbs. The energy bill savings will more than pay for the extra cost of the bulbs over their lifetime, and you will have to replace fewer bulbs because fluorescent ones last ten times longer than ordinary light bulbs.

Compact fluorescent light bulbs are the most significant lighting advance developed for homes in recent years. They combine the efficiency of fluorescent lighting with the convenience and popularity of incandescent fixtures.”

You might try what I am doing – purchase one bulb a month until you have replaced all your incandescent bulbs in high use lamps and fixtures in your house. With one little step at a time we can all make a difference. In the long run you will also be saving yourself money.

Recycle Your Old Computer

Open up the world and bring joy to others with little effort. Millions of Americans may never be able to participate in the digital world of computing due to their economic status, or lack of education.

Recycling old computers is opening up the world to individuals who are homebound, and at the low end of the economic scale. Adult and family literacy is a significant concern that is being addressed.

Recycling old computers 2 or 3 years old can make a real difference in people’s lives. The Chautauqua Cyber Club, Inc., and Okaloosa-Walton Community College are committed to Walton Counties homebound, and those who need assistance to improve their standing in life through education.

Donating your old computers helps protect the environment, helps the less fortunate and provides a boost to economic independence for Walton County residents. A tax deduction can be taken as well.

Individuals, business, and governmental agencies can obtain more information about the Chautauqua Cyber Club effort from Robert Nelson, telephone 892-0977. For Okaloosa-Walton Community College call Barbara Jones or J. B. Hillard, 892-8100.

SNIPPETS

The Horticulture students of the Walton County Vocational Technical School, under the leadership of instructor Linda Keegans, came together to form a Junior Garden Club in December. The Garden Club of DeFuniak Springs is sponsoring the group.

Several members of the Environmental Concerns group were given a tour of the Horticulture Department at the school last month and were very impressed by the work that is being done there. Students make their own potting soil and design and plant lovely, productive vegetable and flower gardens. They grow shrubs, trees, and houseplants from cuttings. Linda and the students are growing native wildflower plants from seed given to them by the Garden Club. The plants will be used this spring in garden club planting projects for the community. We are proud to be working with this enthusiastic and capable group.

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This column comes to you courtesy of the Environmental Concerns Group of the DeFuniak Springs Garden Club.