Americans are 4% of the planet’s population and use about 25% of its resources.  The bad news–we’re a big part of the problem.  The good news–we can also be a big part of the solution!  

No one really wants to trash the planet and live in a dirty place.  We all like clean areas, even if we don’t always like the work it takes to keep a place clean (anyone who has seen my study will know I speak from the heart!) 

Anyway most folks –does this mean you? will do the right thing if they have encouragement and know what they should do.  

Here is one good idea:  Know your carbon footprint.  Here are some good sites to help you do just that.  Most also give you ideas on how to mitigate your impact.

http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ind_calculator.html

http://www.empowermentinstitute.net/lcd/lcd_files/LCDcalcNet.html

http://www.nature.org/initiatives/climatechange/calculator/

If you google “carbon footprint calculator” you’ll find lots of them.  I’ve used the first 2 and find them fairly easy to use. 

Both tell me that even though my heart is green, my fooprint is NOT.  I am working to fix this.  Hope you will too.

Madeleine

Story on efforts to start a garden in Pasco. http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/117910919.html

Wherever you are, you’re there.  And that’s your starting point.  Everyone is somewhere.  Don’t worry, just move forward from wherever YOU are.  

Madeleine

Pumpkins in the front yard? Why not? While some neighborhoods have restrictive covenants regarding landscaping, most don’t. Turf grass uses far more water than vegetables, and you can’t eat it. Add to that the amount of effort required to maintain an attractive lawn, and gardening is also less labor intensive overall. If the First Lady can plant a garden in the front yard of our nation’s house, surely, you can plant one in yours!