Giving up wastefulness for Lent
As a child I was taught that Lent, the 40 days before Easter beginning with Ash Wednesday, was a time of fasting and reflection to symbolize Jesus’ time in the desert. We were told to give up something enjoyable, a favorite food like ice cream or pastry perhaps.
The adults in my life tried with varying success to do without smoking, drinking alcohol or going to parties. Since I flunked smoking and drinking early on and haven’t been to a party in decades, there just wasn’t much to give up this year. Reflection can be good but only if you resist beating yourself up over past mistakes.
Searching for a new concept, I discovered The Carbon Fast proposed by The Tributary Fund, a local organization that works with religious leaders around the world to promote environmental conservation. The idea is to change wasteful habits for a cleaner world that benefits others instead of only oneself.
This one-a-day plan for carbon fasting was compiled by Tributary Fund intern Kelsey Larson and was featured in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle. Of Larson’s 40 suggestions, some were new to me and some weren’t feasible. My truncated version separates things I already do from those I’m not quite ready for. Food for thought, if you please.
Look up www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ind_calculator.html to figure out what things you ordinarily do that cause the greatest emissions.
Decrease the thermostat by a few degrees to save energy. My suggestion: put on a sweatshirt in winter and strip down in summer.
Buy recycled paper for the printer, cards, bath tissue and unbleached kitchen towels.
Put a brick in the toilet tank to reduce water usage. My commode is already as low-flow as it gets without requiring a double flush, which would defeat the purpose.
Try protein alternatives; meat production has a huge environmental impact. I already keep as close to vegan as possible, but I do love fish (wild caught in cold water, of course).
Keep reusable shopping bags in the car. Or put folded nylon ones in your purse. Trader Joe’s are my favorite.
Unplug all electronics not in use like battery chargers, computer peripherals, VCR/DVD players, toasters, coffeemakers, etc. I’ve disconnected everything but the DVD plug, which is inaccessible behind a full bookcase.
Don’t buy water in plastic bottles. Producing a 1-liter bottle of water pollutes 25 liters of groundwater and few get recycled. Instead, buy one or two reusable travel mugs for water and coffee or tea.
Don’t eat processed foods like crackers, cold cereal or frozen dinners. Shop at farmers markets and stores that support local agriculture. Make meals from scratch and freeze.
Make your own cleaning solutions. Vinegar and baking soda will clean almost anything, as will unscented, concentrated laundry liquid, which doesn’t pollute groundwater.
Save old calendars, cards, other paper and fabric for wrapping gifts. I’ve learned to ignore the rolled eyeballs when smoothing and folding Christmas wrap.
Recycle everything (including electronics) and volunteer to collect for those who don’t drive. I will do this until the kids take away my car keys.
Bring your own take-out containers. A word of caution: health food stores often allow reusable containers for bulk foods, however some restaurants insist on using their own boxes. Health department regulations vary but many don’t allow customers’ containers in kitchens, so you may be scraping your plate at the table.
Drive a few miles per hour slower to save gas and emissions. In winter it’s also less likely you’ll lose it on icy, slick roads.
Stop the endless flow of catalogs in your mail. Go to www.catalogchoice.org and ask to have them discontinued. Saves trees, wastewater, postage and mail carriers’ backs. I also share magazines with friends and read a few at the library.
Suggestions I simply can’t follow or have tried and failed miserably:
Turn down water heater to 120 degrees. I have no control over the water heater, which probably serves several apartments or even one whole wing of the building.
Subscribe to newspapers online. Giving up my daily paper, complete with puzzles and special sections, is not an option. Sorry.
Try carrying a handkerchief instead of tissues. Yuck! I rarely have the sniffles anyway and I do use linen napkins even in my backpack.
Shorten the shower and cool it slightly every day until Easter. I can’t try this until my back quits hurting.
Keep this list as a guide to save more than one’s soul. It could help save the planet. Happy Easter.