Am I an Eco-Psycho?
Student Doctor Green wrote a post awhile back about Gross Green Habits and I realized I support every one of them (although I’m still working on the toilet paper alternative). It got me wondering if maybe I’ve turned into an eco-extremist without noticing.
I really don’t mind being a bit of an extremist and am happy to be at the forefront of sustainable living but I want to make sure I don’t alienate people. Well, not too many people at least. I’m not really worried about people being shocked that I bring my own take-out containers to restaurants. Even if they write me off as a weirdo, they will still be thinking about why I would do such a thing and perhaps it will start to make sense.
I’m more concerned about coming off as preachy or judgmental. I often struggle with the question of when to confront people about their activities and when to mind my own business. I think it’s important to speak up and to educate but I know how easy it is to piss people off and end up making them less willing to adapt to greener ways.
In the end, I figure my best bet is just to set an example through my own actions. Of course, not everyone gets to see me washing dishes in the bathtub so I do speak my mind through this blog and other outlets like letters to the editor or presentations to local school groups. I was almost interviewed last week for YERT (Your Environmental Road Trip) but unfortunately it didn’t work out and I will not join their video blog alongside EcoElvis and other colorful environmental legends. Perhaps I should invest in a spiffier eco-costume.
And no, I don’t wash my dishes in the bathtub. But I am intrigued by the idea. Thanks, Ted!
Linnea said,
May 6, 2008 @ 4:04 am
You could probably do laundry in the tub, then you’re introducing all the same stuff into the water (since I assume what you have on your clothes you also have on you. Not necessarily the case after a falafel dinner…)
Andy said,
May 6, 2008 @ 4:09 am
Well, I don’t think you are an eco-psycho from what I’ve gathered. It sounds more like eco-conscious, with a good deal of getting used to what works instead of worrying about what “normal” people do.
For some reason eco-psycho sounds a little bit derogative, and I don’t mean it that way, but have you read about or talked to people from ecovillages? I mean, growing most of your own food, composting your poop, starting a wood fire for those times you need warm water and it’s not sunny enough - those are the kinds of things I see as more “eco-psycho” (in a good way).
I’m still young, and I have aspiring plans to live in a manner similar to the ecovillagers I have seen online and talked with. It doesn’t seem dirty or odd to me when it’s much more sustainable and gets the solutions we need without using chemicals or crazy amounts of resources.
I think given some time we will start to see a shift and some of these odd seeming things now will become normal again.
-Andy
melissa said,
May 6, 2008 @ 5:20 am
I think, as you alluded to, that teaching by example (ie bringing your own takeout containers and leaving people to think about and ask why) is the route to take. I think your instinct to avoid preaching is good because it won’t work if people aren’t at a point in their lives where they are ready to implement and embrace what often seem at the outset like significant life changes. That’s why blogging is so great…you put the info out there for anyone who wants to find it.
Maggie said,
May 6, 2008 @ 12:25 pm
Linnea -
You’re probably right that bathing & laundry combine better than bathing & dishes. I have washed clothes in the shower before and it works fine although I feel that machine-washing is generally more thorough. Perhaps I just don’t put in enough elbow grease.
Andy -
Yes, I lived in an ecovillage for awhile (Lost Valley in Oregon) and I strive to achieve their level of greenness but I also accept (and this has been a slow process) that not everyone is willing to “compromise” to those extremes. “Eco-psycho” is derogatory. I wanted to signify what happens when you cross the line from being inspirational and start being frightening to people. “No hot showers? I have to use a composting toilet? I can’t have air conditioning?” There is a definite shift in comfort zone that needs to take place to make living lightly on the earth feel more palatable.
I agree with you that the shift is coming but I am still trying to feel out my way in helping the process along. Do I blaze ahead and provide an example of how people can live extremely lightly on the land? Do I create a semi-mainstream suburban version of green living that is palatable to the masses? Do I focus my efforts on creating a universal scoring system like the carbon footprint but much broader so people can evaluate their own efforts? Do I become a “sustainability lifestyle coach” and work with people one-on-one to green their lives? Green living is an issue I feel passionate about and I’m trying to figure out the best way to improve my own footprint and to educate those around me. It’s an invigorating challenge.
Student Doctor Green said,
May 6, 2008 @ 1:27 pm
Maggie, I don’t think you’re extreme at all. You know what you believe in and you have the integrity to put that belief into action. That speaks volumes. For me, I think as long as people think I’m just a regular person and then they find out more about my eco stuff, it makes them curious and that is the best outcome in my opinion. Seeing a person living an ordinary life that happens to be eco-conscious but not ostentatious is the way to go and you are pulling it off beautifully it sounds like. You guys are a constant inspiration to me so keep it up, and know any “extremism” you might have makes me want to be a better eco-person. Yes, I did just adapt a cheezy line from “As Good as it Gets”
cinco said,
May 6, 2008 @ 7:26 pm
I am surprised to find myself relieved that you don’t do the dishes in the bath. I agree that doing the laundry in the bath seems okay, but I want the dishes to stay in the sink!
Jessica said,
May 7, 2008 @ 10:37 pm
Oh, extreme is so subjective. I live with my mother and she thinks I’m turning into an extremist. I actually walk on egg shells with her over environmental issues anymore, and spend a long time thinking of ways to subtlely introduce some new ideas to her. If I spin it right, my mom eventually jumps on board. I think I’ve mentioned before that if I can find a documentary on it, she’ll be all for it. Especially if its a documentary that bashes republicans and/or corporations at the same time as making its point. She’s kind of in the same place I was in back in high school, politically.
I actually have washed clothes in the shower before. In Basic Training people thought I was crazy, but I didn’t spend nearly as much time as them waiting to use the washers and driers, and my socks didn’t get stolen as much. Of course, its harder to hang things out to dry in your wall locker in humid places like South Carolina. You’ve got to watch out for mildew.
I’m giving your TP Free method a try. I’m adding witch hazel and aloe to my water in the squirt bottle to help with the … errr … unfortunate after effects of pushing out a 9.5 lb baby in 40 minutes.