What I am doing
1. Consume organically grown and fair trade products only.
Example) At coffee shop, ask them if they have fair trade coffee and organic milk.
Example) Fine your local organic or whole foods grosery store.
(For more information, see http://www.organicconsumers.org/)
2. Being a vegetarian
Being a vegetarian is not necessarily related to living in nature friendly. Human beings are allowed to eat almost any kinds of food. I don't have any problem with eating meat.
Thus, being a vegetarian means a certain kind of political action to me. I became a vegetarian as a boycott of unnaturally produced foods, stimulated by Mad Cow Diseases.
Moreover, this also functions as a self control mechanism. Being a vegetarian requires lots of attention whenever I go for grocery shopping, prepare my meal, and go out for meal. I have to take care of the daily nutrition. I should find out vegetarian menu first at restaurant. This helps me remind why I concern about nature and why I started to do something for her.
Articles about being a vegetarian: (You do not need to agree. But think about it!)
*** The Case Against Meat: Evidence Shows that Our Meat-Based Diet is Bad for the Environment, Aggravates Global Hunger, Brutalizes Animals and Compromises Our Health
by Jim Motavalli
http://www.emagazine.com/view/?142
*** Eating less meat may slow climate change
By Maria Cheng
http://pantagraph.com/articles/2007/09/14/news/doc46e940d9b3e1b262855630.txt
3. Visit Good Will and/or Salvation Army stores.
I like to go to the Good Will store near my home to donate stuff that I don't use anymore and to explore what they have for me.
I like buying pretty cups and dishes that I find out on their shelves.
Rules to be nature-friendly in my daily life
1. Before throwing something away, think again the possibility of reuse!
Do it. It is really fun!
2. Use things clearly for longer use.
Example) Envelope: If you cut the edge of envelope clearly, no tearing, you can reuse it, once again. Please think, how many trees can be saved by your small action.
Example) Paper money: If you use paper money and coins clearly, their life cycle will be prolonged.
3. If something is out of order, try to repair it before buying new one. It also will be fun!
Some people say, if we do not buy new one, it will be not good for our economy.
But, we don't need to worry about that because we already have been consuming too many things.
Moreover, if a lot of people want to repair their stuff, other kind of market, such as repairing industries, will be developed instead.
4. Don't be greedy!
"There is a sufficiency in the world for man's need but not for man's greed" Mohandas Gandhi
(Information from http://www.ecology.com)
- Don't buy food more than you need.
- Don't buy anything just for one curious spoon!
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