About Green Your Apartment
VISION & MISSION
You’ve listened to all the talk about the climate crisis. The world is changing right before our eyes and for the first time in history we’re realizing even the little things we do really count. Yet, after watching An Inconvient Truth, you take a look around your little apartment and think, “But what can I do?”
This is where I come in. This blog’s focus is summed up in the slogan from the 1990s’ animated commercial that touted “reduce, reuse, recycle and don’t pollute!”
There are many fabulous eco-conscious blogs out there doling out great advice (just check out the blogroll!) but what I discovered is that none of them focused on the cost, effort and constrictions for the roughly 1 of 4 American households living in apartments (according to the Residential Energy Consumption Survey way back in 2001) - we do have a lease to comply with, you know! Which means that switching that ’80s looking dishwasher out for a new and Energy Star efficient model often isn’t a choice for my people. So what CAN we do?
HOW TO READ GREEN YOUR APARTMENT
Green Your Apartment approaches living eco-consciously with humor and pragmatism. I will provide you suggestions according to your commitment level - because let’s face it, not everyone is a Certified Tree-Hugger. Some of you are self-respecting Republicans. (Take it easy, I jest!)
So here are the levels of commitment as I see it:
- Level One, also known as “Newbie”: you are concerned about all this “climate crisis” talk. Heck, have you noticed the freaky weather?! This is the cheapest, quickest tip I have to offer that requires as little inconvenience as possible. Bet you didn’t know it could be so easy!
- Level Two, also known as “Amateur Environmentalist”: for those of you who have seen “An Inconvenient Truth”, changed to CFL’s and recycle your beer cans and bottles. You believe in making a difference but the convenience and cost factors have made you reconsider going pro.
- Level Three, also known as “Certified Tree-hugger”: for those of you who look for cloth diapers instead of the disposable paper, use homemade cleaning supplies and bring your own reusable bag to the store. There is a deep commitment to the environment which makes your relatives look at you a bit funny when you refuse the Styrofoam cup at a local burger joint and pull your own non-leeching plastic cup from your bag for your beverage.
Choose your level of commitment and go from there! For those of you who are interested, I am somewhere between Amateur Environmentalist and Certified Tree-hugger, leaning a touch more toward the Certified. But then, I still aspire to that fourth level: Level Four, also known as “Green Guru”. You are dedicated, you are Dharma-esque. You forgo plastic containers and use your own organic hemp shopping bags. You have undyed organic fair-trade sheets and bamboo wood in your kitchens stocked with homemade organic preserves. I salute you and aspire to make you proud with my tips.
About Marie
My name is Marie Holzer and I am many things: a freelance writer, a wife, a new mother, a homemaker; but I’m also a concerned citizen who is determined to make a difference in the way Western culture consumes and wastes not only our resources but often our lives - I hope to inspire people to improve the way we live.
My other sites include:
Marie Holzer - my freelance writing site.
Mercurial Scribe - my personal blog on mental health and random things that inspire me.
You can contact me at GreenYourApartment@gmail.com.
