the next step

[the_siobhan]

Every resource I've ever seen about climate change gives the same basic instructions. "Turn down the AC. Get a more fuel efficient car. Buy locally."

We don't have air con. We bus and bike everywhere. We eat vegetarian most of the time, and every lightbulb in the house is compact fluorescent. We patch, repair, reuse and freecycle.

Now what? Where is the environmentalism 201?

*sigh*

I guess I could always write more letters.

What I'm listening to right this second: Knucklehead

Comments

[ihvpave.livejournal.com]

I wonder things like this often.

I'm working on creating microhabitats in my yard by mowing less and using a higher blade height, no pesticides, companion planting, bug-inviting plants, etc. I compost and do the three Rs, and I try to use as many companies that use sustanable resources, minimal packaging, and so on as I can (which is the main reason I use LUSH for the stuff I can't be bothered to make myself). I DIY as much as I am able (or, more accurately, fussed to as I tend to be impatient and convenience-oriented).

I've been thinking about researching solar power conversion and grey-water recycling for my house but... Again with the "convenience" factor.

But then I look at my girls and I think I really need to.

[inulro.livejournal.com]

I just go with only mowing my lawn about twice a year.

Until this year our pond attracted tiny little frogs, so mowing after the tadpoles have moved out of the water would be carnage. For some unknown reason we had no frogspawn this year, but we've still mowed once. Between us it's our most hated job. So we're creating a wildlife-friendly garden. Really.

[ihvpave.livejournal.com]

I go as rarely as I can, but where I live copperheads are a danger - and we have three dogs that spend a lot of time in the backyard during the day. I have to keep it down to a minor jungle back there, or I spend all my time worrying about one of my bebes getting fanged. Interestingly, the front yard doesn't bother me a titch when it gets knee-high even though I know it makes the neighbours twitch.

[inulro.livejournal.com]

Yikes! The only thing I have to worry about is not being able to find the rabbits when the grass gets really long.

As to making the neighbours twitch, my parents live somewhere like that. I, OTOH, live in a traditional white working class area, where nobody cares if we mow our lawn, ever.

[ihvpave.livejournal.com]

Hee.

Yeh, I haven't got any water features in the back, though I am thinking of putting in a pergola-type thing with a waterbutt thingo behind it, mebbe.

As far as the lawn goes, it's fairly interesting 'cos I live in a pretty working-class neighborhood, but day-UM of those folks aren't nuts about their yardwork. 's pretty interesting to me, actually. Chain link dividing lines, and perfectly manicured lawns.

[inulro.livejournal.com]

Bizarre. Some people here are very keen about their yardwork, but it hasn't occurred to them to care what anyone else does.

[the-siobhan.livejournal.com]

Most people here are keen on their yards> We have such a diverse neighbourhood that could mean anything from "perfectly manicured squares of grass" to "interestingly arranged rock and shrubbery with a rusty iron art piece in the centre".

I get the impression my "promiscuous wildflower riot" is considered perfectly acceptable.

[hellsop.livejournal.com]

Frogs are really sensitive to environmental poisons.