What Can I Do?

There are some obvious things that we will still have to purchase during this 2010 challenge.  Food, toiletries, basic supplies and materials are all allowed, in moderation of course.  Seek alternative methods when possible.  For instance, “The food we eat now typically travels between 1,500 and 3,000 miles from farm to our dinner plate.”  Buy locally grown and raised food when possible.  “Industrialized nations, representing only 20% of the world’s population, consume 87 percent of the world’s printing and writing papers and global production in the pulp, paper and publishing sector is expected to increase by 77% from 1995 to 2020. The pulp and paper industry is the single largest consumer of water used in industrial activities in OECD countries and is the third greatest industrial greenhouse gas emitter, after the chemical and steel industries.”  Want a new book?  Sounds to me like we should start pulling out our library cards, buy used books from sites like www.Amazon.com , or even download a more convenient and enviornment friendly AudioBook or Digital Book.  There are many resources and options available to support our quality of living  while reducing our impact on our finances and the environment.  As we explore these options, we will continuously post them to share.