Green inspiration

When I occasionally read a newspaper or surf the net I tend to be drawn towards environmental matters and as such I often pick up little bits of information that I think I could convert into something that would green up our household a little bit more. Usually this is good fun and spurs on all the little things we can do.

The other day I read that more trees in urban areas could be a good help to reducing air pollution and restore biodiversity. OK, we don't exactly live in the inner city, but it still reminded me that parts of the front garden could be used far more effectively than squares of grass and that I really need to think about redesigning it. I am sure we can create something far more friendly to bees and other helpful creatures, and with a bit of thought we should even be able to do it in a way that won't upset the neighbours...

Then there was a blog about somebody giving up supermarket shopping all together - a very interesting idea. I am not quite sure how I would cope with that, especially when it comes to getting stuff for the kids, but I will definitely go back and check how she is getting on, maybe it is feasible? If nothing else it was a strong reminder that I still haven't signed up for a veg box scheme! I wonder why this seem to be such a stumbling block for me - after all it is not exactly rocket science. I have a sneaky suspicion that I am scared I will end up with lots of 'funny' vegetables that I then need to learn to prepare and convince my children to eat... Frankly I am just making bad excuses - this will have to be my challenge for the week: get over the veg box phobia and order one (I think this is what is called cognitive behavioural therapy)

I also saw an article about a man in Brazil who built a solar water heater out of plastic bottles and milk cartons - how is that for doing your bit! I so admire people who actually do something about their ideas rather than just talk about it(no mention of veg boxes here please...)

Then came an article that made my heart sink: a woman wanting to be green should learn to do more DIY. Oh help! I totally support the idea that to be green also involves a higher level of self reliance and ability to sustain yourself - it makes sense, but do I really have to learn to plumb in toilets??? I probably shouldn't say this because it goes against everything I believe in when it comes to green living, equal rights and several other things as well, but frankly I find 90% of DIY exceedingly boring. I have absolutely no desire to learn to fix leaking taps or lay slabs. I don't even want to fix punctures on my bike if I can convince somebody else (read: my husband) to do it. It is not because I am scared of working - I did after all dig the vegetable plot from scratch, neither do I think it is above my abilities, I am sure I could learn - I just find it all so uninteresting. Does that mean I can never be a proper green woman?

Hmm, what to do. For now I think I will start with my veg box challenge, then maybe once I have done all the other things I need to learn as well, like successful gardening, cooking local produce, cycling with a heavy load without getting a heart attack, sewing something more advanced than table covers, making my own paper/candles/soap and turning used bottles into amazing energy saving features just then I might consider learning to fix that toilet.