I am an addict. And I need help. In the absence of a clear program, I am left on my own, to find an approach that will work for me. It’s been confusing, so far, and I can’t tell what’s helpful, from what’s not.
The Not so Green Zone
First, there is the danger of the not so green zone. You know, that fuzzy place where it’s pretty much up to you to decide what your green regimen should be. It’s very flexible, and understanding of your situation as a recovering consumer. Let’s set our expectations low, since we know the moon is out of reach. The problem is just that. Low expectations produce dismal results, coupled with the dangerous illusion that one is doing something. The not so green zone is where I dwelled until a few weeks ago, when I decided, enough was enough, and I wanted results.
The Absolute Green Zone
Second, and just as dangerous, is the absolute green zone. No room for error here. You are green, or not. There is a list of things you know you have to do, all of them, and there is no skipping any. The advantage is you know what is expected of you. Things are clear. Relapses are frowned upon, and you better get back on the train quick. Very much like going on a diet. You know what happens to chronic dieters, though. They follow the diet for a while, and then one day, they just get fed up, and say, the hell with it, I am going to eat as a please. I am a living testimony of why (green) lists alone rarely work. Lists are tools that need a context.
The Green Steps Community Zone
Outside of these two danger zones, lies a third space, one I am just starting to formulate for myself, and who knows, maybe others if they want. I call it the Green Steps Community zone. It borrows from the 12 Steps model and the community principle of social networks. 12 Steps was built on the notion that the support from other fellows struggling with similar addictions, coupled with accountability to the group and a sponsor, are essential to the success of the recovery process. People cannot accomplish recovery on their own. Couple 12 Steps with social networks, and you’ve got the beginning of a solution. Social networks are not the privilege of Web 2.0. There are many other different types of social networks, starting with families, neighborhoods, churches, schools, workplaces, all of which need to be considered for this idea of Green Steps Communities.
La Marguerite 
I’ve always been an environmentalist—I remember reading 50 Simple Things You Can Do to Save the Earth as a child and cutting plastic six-pack rings, asking my parents if we could turn down the water heater, turned off the sink while I’m shaving, etc. I’ve always recycled and turned off the lights.
But after watching An Inconvenient Truth I definitely stepped it up. I suppose I made a bunch of immediate small changes such as being vigilant with lights and with my thermostat. And over the months, I’ve slowly pushed myself. Changes that previously seemed unthinkable later seemed not unreasonable, then doable! I don’t have any absolute goal, so I don’t worry if some days or weeks I do less or some I do more. I usually take the bus to the hospital but today I was running late and I drove. I don’t feel guilty—but tomorrow I am going to get up earlier!
Thanks Darmok. Like you, watching Al Gore presenting The Inconvenient Truth was a real jolt. Unlike you, though, I have had to do a lot more reforming, since I started from a place of almost total oblivion. Having my husband to inspire me has been a real blessing. I think it is very fortunate that you were able to internalize environmental values from such a young age. Did that come from your parents? Or were you born that way? 🙂
The responses to your candid blogging are substantial, so i won’t feel too guilty for advancing my tried and trues.
As Darmok, i was a precocious natural observer, my French semi-rural upbringing must be have been a factor.
Steps-steps, easy does it so as not to slip, i made it a game for children and friends alike; that was the only way i could convince hard line consumers and the if-one’s good-three’s better-crowd. …Checks and balances; like carbon credit trading and allowances–you do one bad thing–you correct it with two good deeds >for good measure and clean conscience?
Thanks Nadine, and Darmok. You have inspired me with your comments. Look to several of my posts later today . . .
You know, it’s odd. My values came from my parents, yet somehow I seem to have embraced them far more strongly than they. I don’t know, really, why I cared…I guess I just thought it was the right thing to do.
Whatever the recipe, will you please pass it on to your 250 million fellow Americans?