FUTURE POSSIBILITES
"UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." - The Lorax
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We live in a world obsessed with stuff. We make stuff, sell stuff, buy stuff, throw stuff...and then start all over again. It's as if our lives are just a cycle of stuff. This constant cycle too often results in the destruction of the very environments we live in, and other third world countries. This round and round and round life of stuff also brings up the issues of unequal pay, the limit of natural resources, and the inevitable end of the environment in which we live. Too often our constant buying results in constant waste. Waste that fills landfills and contaminates the very air we breathe.
While creating this website to show our connection to commodities originating in 16th century and earlier, it also strives to shed light on how important these goods are. Individuals well before us learned to live off the land, trade their goods, raise empires centered around commodities, and recognized goods as things of value. It now seems we often discount the importance that these individuals saw in water, cotton, coffee, food, and other commodities. We have consuming and throwing on repeat without ever really THINKING.
It's time to begin thinking about every purchase, everything we toss, the things we save, the things we own, the things we make, what we eat, what we grow. We are privileged enough to live in a society where there are commodities all around us, right at the tip of our fingers. However, we must begin to appreciate and stop taking this for granted. We should be conscious consumers, not just some consumer stuck in a vicious environment-destroying cycle.
We are the only way to stop this...yes, YOU and ME! While your actions alone may not save hundreds of rain forests, give workers equal pay and clean working conditions, clear the air of pollution, or eliminate landfills...it is a start! One small spark can start a fire right? Then one voice, can create a worldwide change. Let's start saving our STUFF!
To do my part in becoming a more conscious consumer I have devised a 4 week plan. Each week will somehow contribute to a more mindful, less stuff-filled, eco-aware life. Each week will add to the previous week, with the fourth week being the implementation of 4 different environment friendly strategies. I invite YOU to join along and think of your own ways to lessen your impact in the world of consumption! By the end of my four weeks I will be knitting socks, pulling weeds, cultivating delicious grown-by-myself-and-only-me food, taking shorter showers, and giving my junk to others (because it's not junk to them!). Saving the world one week at a time, right? Well kinda! Here we go...
While creating this website to show our connection to commodities originating in 16th century and earlier, it also strives to shed light on how important these goods are. Individuals well before us learned to live off the land, trade their goods, raise empires centered around commodities, and recognized goods as things of value. It now seems we often discount the importance that these individuals saw in water, cotton, coffee, food, and other commodities. We have consuming and throwing on repeat without ever really THINKING.
It's time to begin thinking about every purchase, everything we toss, the things we save, the things we own, the things we make, what we eat, what we grow. We are privileged enough to live in a society where there are commodities all around us, right at the tip of our fingers. However, we must begin to appreciate and stop taking this for granted. We should be conscious consumers, not just some consumer stuck in a vicious environment-destroying cycle.
We are the only way to stop this...yes, YOU and ME! While your actions alone may not save hundreds of rain forests, give workers equal pay and clean working conditions, clear the air of pollution, or eliminate landfills...it is a start! One small spark can start a fire right? Then one voice, can create a worldwide change. Let's start saving our STUFF!
To do my part in becoming a more conscious consumer I have devised a 4 week plan. Each week will somehow contribute to a more mindful, less stuff-filled, eco-aware life. Each week will add to the previous week, with the fourth week being the implementation of 4 different environment friendly strategies. I invite YOU to join along and think of your own ways to lessen your impact in the world of consumption! By the end of my four weeks I will be knitting socks, pulling weeds, cultivating delicious grown-by-myself-and-only-me food, taking shorter showers, and giving my junk to others (because it's not junk to them!). Saving the world one week at a time, right? Well kinda! Here we go...
![Picture](/uploads/2/9/4/0/29402313/2652442.jpg?138)
WEEK 1: OPERATION SOCK DRAWER
My goal this week is to take my love of knitting, crocheting, and all things yarn...and put it to use! There's been a growing trend in the world of crafts called "Operation Sock Drawer". Knitters and crocheters around the world are taking time to fill their sock drawers with their very own handmade socks! The project usually takes place over the course of a year, with the goal being to produce one pair of socks each month. I hope to really get a jump start by taking advantage of my freedom over the summer months and completing two-four pairs of socks in this four week plan, and then continue filling my sock drawer. There's no reason to stop just because my four weeks are up! I hope to eliminate having to buy socks continuously (anyone else notice their rather expensive?) and thus eliminating the grandiose amount of STUFF! I will also contribute to my eco-friendliness by creating socks from only eco-friendly yarn, organic yarn, or even hand spun yarn! (side note: i'm also hoping to delve into hand spinning yarn!). (:
My goal this week is to take my love of knitting, crocheting, and all things yarn...and put it to use! There's been a growing trend in the world of crafts called "Operation Sock Drawer". Knitters and crocheters around the world are taking time to fill their sock drawers with their very own handmade socks! The project usually takes place over the course of a year, with the goal being to produce one pair of socks each month. I hope to really get a jump start by taking advantage of my freedom over the summer months and completing two-four pairs of socks in this four week plan, and then continue filling my sock drawer. There's no reason to stop just because my four weeks are up! I hope to eliminate having to buy socks continuously (anyone else notice their rather expensive?) and thus eliminating the grandiose amount of STUFF! I will also contribute to my eco-friendliness by creating socks from only eco-friendly yarn, organic yarn, or even hand spun yarn! (side note: i'm also hoping to delve into hand spinning yarn!). (:
![Picture](/uploads/2/9/4/0/29402313/5224233.jpg?297)
WEEK 2: GET TO KNOW MY GREEN THUMB
It's always been my dream to produce my food...ALL of it! While that idea is becoming more and more far fetched everyday, I hope to at make a dent in my store bought food consumption. While I'm obviously not going to grow EVERYTHING I'd love to eat, I am hoping to at least get something! I plan on peppers, tomatoes, beans, lettuce, cucumbers, zucchini, kohlrabi and carrots. Any surplus will be canned for use over the winter months. I also will start an herb garden on the back porch...because fresh is ALWAYS so much better than dried in a jar! This herb garden is going to allow me to also reuse old pallets I picked up at the local dump! Interested in what that means? Check out this link...
http://www.hometalk.com/184529/make-a-pallet-garden-in-7-easy-steps
By growing my own food I will obviously know where my food comes from because I GREW IT! It seems to be a growing trend for our food to travel miles and miles and miles. I haven't even been to more than five other states than my home Wisconsin, so why should my food? I also be eliminating the preservatives, and artificial food and flavors I consume by purchasing my food from large chain stores.
LOCAL IS ALWAYS BETTER! Not so sure?
Check out this link, and learn about the "100 Mile Diet" a book following two individuals living in Canada as they promote the movement for local eating!
http://www.learnstuff.com/learn-about-the-100-mile-diet/
It's always been my dream to produce my food...ALL of it! While that idea is becoming more and more far fetched everyday, I hope to at make a dent in my store bought food consumption. While I'm obviously not going to grow EVERYTHING I'd love to eat, I am hoping to at least get something! I plan on peppers, tomatoes, beans, lettuce, cucumbers, zucchini, kohlrabi and carrots. Any surplus will be canned for use over the winter months. I also will start an herb garden on the back porch...because fresh is ALWAYS so much better than dried in a jar! This herb garden is going to allow me to also reuse old pallets I picked up at the local dump! Interested in what that means? Check out this link...
http://www.hometalk.com/184529/make-a-pallet-garden-in-7-easy-steps
By growing my own food I will obviously know where my food comes from because I GREW IT! It seems to be a growing trend for our food to travel miles and miles and miles. I haven't even been to more than five other states than my home Wisconsin, so why should my food? I also be eliminating the preservatives, and artificial food and flavors I consume by purchasing my food from large chain stores.
LOCAL IS ALWAYS BETTER! Not so sure?
Check out this link, and learn about the "100 Mile Diet" a book following two individuals living in Canada as they promote the movement for local eating!
http://www.learnstuff.com/learn-about-the-100-mile-diet/
![Picture](/uploads/2/9/4/0/29402313/1046143.jpg?176)
WEEK 3: SLOW DOWN THE WATER
I knew the idea of saving water was a HUGE idea, but didn't really have any idea why until learning of our water crisis in my college History class. I think that is a problem with all earth saving ideas - people don't really have an idea as to how BIG of a problem some commodities are facing, or just how much of an impact they really do have. However, I now know all about water and well...WE NEED TO SAVE IT! My family already washes in cold, shuts off the water when we brush our teeth, don't water our yard (I will NEVER understand why people do this), and take short showers (thanks to growing up with brothers and sisters). I knew there had to be some way we could do more though! In collaboration with my week 1 idea, I am going to save rain water to water the garden. This way I will not be "wasting" water by using the tap water. My family has also purchased a filtered pitcher to keep in the fridge, so we are not constantly letting the faucet run to get a glass of water. We are also going to become more mindful when dish washing - for example: not rinsing each dish separately but rather filling a large bowl with water and rinsing in that. We are also going to be placing mulch in our flower beds. I read that by mulching you reduce the frequency your plants need to be watered, and therefore we will be watering less!
I knew the idea of saving water was a HUGE idea, but didn't really have any idea why until learning of our water crisis in my college History class. I think that is a problem with all earth saving ideas - people don't really have an idea as to how BIG of a problem some commodities are facing, or just how much of an impact they really do have. However, I now know all about water and well...WE NEED TO SAVE IT! My family already washes in cold, shuts off the water when we brush our teeth, don't water our yard (I will NEVER understand why people do this), and take short showers (thanks to growing up with brothers and sisters). I knew there had to be some way we could do more though! In collaboration with my week 1 idea, I am going to save rain water to water the garden. This way I will not be "wasting" water by using the tap water. My family has also purchased a filtered pitcher to keep in the fridge, so we are not constantly letting the faucet run to get a glass of water. We are also going to become more mindful when dish washing - for example: not rinsing each dish separately but rather filling a large bowl with water and rinsing in that. We are also going to be placing mulch in our flower beds. I read that by mulching you reduce the frequency your plants need to be watered, and therefore we will be watering less!
![Picture](/uploads/2/9/4/0/29402313/1399921160.png)
WEEK 4: ONE MAN'S TRASH IS ANOTHER MAN'S TREASURE
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle...AND RESELL! I will be gathering all of the "stuff" that I just don't need anymore and selling it! Who doesn't love a good rummage sale?! The goal here is to stop other people from buying NEW stuff, and instead give my stuff a new life! It will also stop my stuff from just being thrown out, and ending up in some landfill somewhere. Instead of being MINDLESS consumers, we will become MINDFUL consumers. Rummage sales allow for the recycling of clothing, furniture, household decor, and dishes. They're a great way to recycle A LOT at just one time!
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle...AND RESELL! I will be gathering all of the "stuff" that I just don't need anymore and selling it! Who doesn't love a good rummage sale?! The goal here is to stop other people from buying NEW stuff, and instead give my stuff a new life! It will also stop my stuff from just being thrown out, and ending up in some landfill somewhere. Instead of being MINDLESS consumers, we will become MINDFUL consumers. Rummage sales allow for the recycling of clothing, furniture, household decor, and dishes. They're a great way to recycle A LOT at just one time!