by Tao Oliveto, Carrboro, NC

At least some of us have been at this green business for a long time. The rest of us could use all the help we can get. And, it’s that time of year again - when we’re programmed to buy more stuff. What really is the bottom line to sustainable consumerism? Well, as we all know, the greenest products are the ones you don’t buy. So, don’t buy what you don’t need and give lots of thought to what you do need and buy to last.

While we’re at it, think relationship in all that you do and acquire, because it will build meaning and purpose back into our lives. Oh, yes, it will make the world more fair, more kind and more sustainable - in some cases, it’s this simple.

But, there’s a lot of information even well-intentioned consumers still need. Fortunately, it’s available from many sources. One of the purchases I needed to make recently were laptop batteries and charger. And with just a tiny bit of attention and effort, I found the GreenPeace Guide to Greener Electronics. I was able to compare electronic companies and products regarding both use of chemicals and recycling programs. The entire site is really helpful and answers all the questions that had already begun to form in my head, like these.

This Guide was established in August of 2006, with the goal of driving both consumer awareness and the top manufacturers to address all the issues of E-Waste. Most of the companies have taken the challenge seriously and are making strides in both areas. Learn who and how here.

You say you haven’t looked at GreenPeace lately? You’re missing out on past, future and present history, as well as a shipload of information! It all began in 1971 with a vision for a peaceful and green world - yes, these activists have always been ahead of the times and they’ve stayed that way. Based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Greenpeace now has 2.8 million supporters worldwide, with offices in 41 countries, passionately prioritizing global environmental campaigns.

GreenPeace covers alot of green ground. If you want the here and now when it comes to the ecology and economy, read Deep Green monthly here, where Rex Weyler of GreenPeace reminds us, it’s “Homeostasis or Collapse. Then for the really important stuff, he adds, “Don’t get depressed. Get Informed. And get active.”

by Tao Oliveto

Remember the Vote video from the other day that made me inexplicably teary? Well, here’s one that got me going again. It’s short, moving, not frightening or dark, just heart-opening.

What if you turned on your tap and nothing came out? What if it happened for an hour or more, or a day and then another? This is a real possibility in our near future. What if you didn’t have a tap? Running water is something many of us take for granted. Rainfall? ditto.

Watch this and tell me what your reaction is. What do you think of? Who do you think of? What is the next thing you’ll think about?

by Tao Oliveto, Carrboro, NC

Vote. Vote Early. Vote now.

There’s some good voting videos going around in cyberspace. Sarah Silverman reaches out to Jewish grandchildren in The Great Schelp and the other one, 5 Friends Uncensored includes a couple dozen celebrity voices. Sarah was more poignant than anything else in both views (though she does take her bra off under her shirt), so don’t hesitate to click on and click in, wherever you are now.

Watching Sarah made me think and made me laugh, but watching the other made me cry. I can’t say why. So, I watched it again just to be sure, and, well, tears running down my face and everything. Celebrities, irony and redundancy usually don’t move me to this place, but, for some reason, this did. Please watch and explain to me what happened.

If we could have three things in this world to instigate change, I believe it’s honesty, passion and action. Maybe that’s what this message tapped into. Looking at ourselves and the world in an honest way and then taking action to make the world and ourselves better.

Take time to think, take time to act.

Yours in Change,Tao

by Tao Oliveto, Carrboro, NC

When I was a little kid, it was hard to gauge my hunger appropriately. I always ended up with leftover food on my plate - or, worse, a stomach ache - especially when it came to things like dessert or Halloween candy. So, my mom often reminded me, “Your eyes are bigger than your stomach.” She was usually right. And, eventually, I learned to see things more clearly.

Of course, the appearance of all things “super-sized” demonstrates that many of us haven’t outgrown our misperceptions and misconceptions when it comes to how big and how much. Just take a look at our cars, our houses, our closets, our beverage containers and our dinner plates. Unfortunately, this habit has not served our world or our bodies well and though we’re starting to catch on, old habits die hard, as they say.

Take cars. I’ve always said, if only the people who really needed SUVs drove them, they wouldn’t be an environmental issue. And if we really looked at function and not form, wouldn’t a mini-van or a station wagon serve large families better? I’ve had my Prius since 2004 and many people tell me how they would love to have one, but they need more “space”. I’m not sure what that means exactly, when I have driven around often with 2 dogs, 4 passengers and hoops in the back.

In fact, yesterday’s incident in my Prius is what got me started on all this. We went to do our quarterly CSA group pick up - normally about 5 coolers of milk and a box of eggs - no problem. Well, yesterday, the other group in my area did not have a driver, so we hoped to be able to bring both groups back with us. I was skeptical - 10 large coolers in my Prius? Well, we started loading, and low and behold, with the back seats turned down, we fit (two people), all the coolers and a large box of eggs in the back, still allowing room to see out the back window.

If I had my camera, I could prove it, but you’ll have to just take to heart what I happen to glance at as we pulled out - it was in my sideview mirror, which today, I read as: “Things may be closer larger than they appear.”

by Tao Oliveto, Carrboro, NC

At the risk of appearing death-obsessed, I am still thinking about the process and traditions surrounding my mom’s death and funeral. (I prefer to think of it as “exploring” the subject.) My family knew my mom wanted to be cremated, but not many other things were discussed before she was gone, which made planning the details of the funeral difficult. Although I’m versed on all subjects green, it turns out that the time to speak out with ideas is (much) before the dying process begins. (I admit I thought about this several times, but had trouble bringing up my thoughts in this case.)

I did come back understanding what funerals are for - celebrating someone’s life rather than mourning their death. (I have not attended any other funerals, so I didn’t know what to expect.) Surprisingly, it felt natural and uplifting to do this and I realized that it’s an important part of the process.

So, I’m no longer anti-funeral, but would suggest more consideration of both funeral homes and families in making a permanent shift towards a more sustainable event. If you feel strongly about this, discuss it with your family now in order to avoid the conflicts that arise after the fact, when it’s easier for grief-stricken families to submit to conventional traditions which could easily be addressed under less stressful circumstances.

Sami Grover, one of our “Changers” and a writer on TreeHugger.com, covered literally ALL the angles on his Green Funerals TreeHugger post recently. I’ve noted the first 2 of 10 tips on dying green below, but it’s worthwhile to read the entire article, which includes numerous resources to keep on hand.

1. Seek Good Advice

Not long ago, the idea of green burial was unheard of by most funeral directors, and today, for a variety of practical and emotional reasons, many people still resist te idea. However, there are signs that the industry is awakening to the concept, especially since many people with environmental sympathies wish to leave the world as they have tried to live in it. A growing number of products and services can help them do just that. Key points to think about include:

– Funeral Director: Ask your funeral director about more sustainable options, or seek out a funeral home that offer green practices (more on this below).

– Green Burial: Likewise, green burial specialists can help you explore greening your final resting options.

– Literature on Green Funerals: Read one of the books that can guide you through the process. (See our “Where to Get this Stuff” section below for suggestions.)

2. State Your Intentions

If you are reading this guide with an eye to what happens to your remains when you are gone, it would make sense to talk to your loved ones about it or make arrangements ahead of time. Death can be a difficult process and, unless prompted, those left behind may not think to consider the environment in making arrangements. Even if they do, they may not have a grasp on what are the best and greenest courses of action to take.

– Define Your Wishes: Add a clause in your will or create an advanced funeral wishes document that stipulates your green funeral concerns. Consider including a copy of this guide with your instructions.

by Tao Oliveto, Carrboro, NC

Now that I have this death and dying thing on my mind, it brings me back, of course, to the earth and the environment. There’s something frightening about embalming bodies with chemicals and placing them in elaborate caskets, made of non-biodegradable and even toxic materials, to be buried underground. Although there is an important place and purpose behind rituals and ceremony for honoring life and death, we’re polluting the earth and contaminating large amounts of land in this outdated process.

I had already told my entire family that I insist on being cremated when I go - no wasted casket, gravestone, plot or polluting hearse for me. If it fits into your personal and/or spiritual story, cremation seems to make eco-sense. Right?

That was then. This is what I know now. Although technology has improved, the cremation process turns our bodies into air pollutants. In fact, incinerating bodies emits at least 7 toxins and contributes .2% of global emissions of dioxins and furans. It is also a large source of airborne mercury.

So what if you are dying to be green?

“The Green Burial Council (GBC) is an independent, nonprofit organization founded to encourage ethical and environmentally sustainable deathcare practices, and to use the burial process as a means of facilitating the acquisition, restoration and stewardship of natural areas. In a natural burial, the body is prepared for burial without chemical preservatives and is buried in a simple shroud or biodegradable casket that might be made from locally harvested wood, wicker or even recycled paper, perhaps even decorated with good-bye messages from friends.”

Land sites used for natural burials are maintained naturally, without irrigation or pesticides. The grave markers are made from natural parts of the landscape, creating a natural and native landscape that invites wildlife and people alike.

The council is creating a certification system for deathcare providers, education opportunities for consumers and an endowment fund to help create approved “Conservation Burial Grounds”. For more on traditional funeral services, cremation and natural burial, visit here.

AND NOW, AN UPDATE ON A GREEN DEATH

After my mom’s funeral a couple weeks ago, Jerry and I continued a standing discussion of how we were going to “go” in pure green style. As mentioned above, cremation saves land space as well as the resources and chemicals that go along with a burial. Just what to do about the air pollution involved in incineration? Jerry said, “I’d like to simply float out to sea.”

Well, it ends up he wasn’t so far off. Air pollution not withstanding, it turns out your ashes can be made into an artificial coral reef which can help restore coastal fishing habitat. Hmm, nice thought. And if you go to the website of Eternal Reefs, there’s a description of a sweet ceremony that goes along with it.

I’m still not satisfied - I’m determined to find a carbon-neutral death if it kills me.

Next Up, green guru, Umbra, from Grist.org, gives me some hopeful news about a woman in Sweden is perfecting a process that uses liquid nitrogen to reduce the body to dust, avoiding incinerator pollution. Now we’re getting somewhere!

Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Think about it. Then rest in peace.

by Tao Oliveto, Carrboro, NC

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It’s interesting how quickly images become recognizable to us. I realized this when I was riding my bike past one of my favorite Carrboro yards owned by Mike Roig, metal sculpter. We Carborroites have had the privilege of  watching this talented artist create an eye-catching art garden on Main Street, filled with larger than life works of solid and moving metal - all a unique combination of abstraction, everyday images and symbolism. I’ve strolled through before, enjoying the view.

Yesterday, I turned my bicycle after seeing another looming piece set in the landscape. Here it is in all its hope and glory.

by Tao Oliveto

Sometimes, life gives you an opportunity to react or act. Sometimes, it requires some of both.

One of my favorite enviro-heroes, No Impact Man, made the most of a scary situation, kept his cool, and then acted with his head and voice. In the end, he is making a difference in his city and, most likely, the world will follow in some way or other.

The other half of the encounter, in the form of a NY State senator, chose a different path. Read the last two days posts for the whole story here and then here.

More thoughts on this story coming soon - check back. Tao