A Gigantically BIG FOOT

I have heard mentioned on the news and elsewhere about reducing our carbon footprint. I did not really understand the full scope of what that meant until this week. I decided to search for "calculating my carbon footprint" and see where my family of 5 stood. This carbon footprint is the tonnes of CO2 we emit which causes environmental damage like greenhouse gases.

The sight I pulled up http://www.carbonfootprint.com/ had questions about how much utility usage we had and how much recycling we do. It also asked what type of food, cars and other purchases we make.

I received a shock when I discovered my family of 5 has a carbon footprint double the average of other footprints in the United States. CLEARLY we wear a size 47 shoe in a world where only size 5 is available!

So I hit the print button and used up the rest of my print cartridge printing this report with my HUGE BLACK BIGFOOT symbol. And I am so sorry! CLEARLY...my family and I have a lot to learn!

Where do I start? Then I heard my Sensei in the back of my mind telling me "it would be better to turn the light off over the kitchen sink." (I just got up and turned it off) My Sensei is definitely the wise voice of reason! He also mentioned, "There is no need to wear shoes."

When I spoke to my family about how we need to do more than what we are doing to help the planet, my daughter said, "Great, our life is going to suck!" CLEARLY...there is a misconception that being green can be difficult. To be honest I must confess that going totally green would be overwhelming for me, but for my family and I, we are going to pursue this the best we can.

So I got in my jeep and drove to the bookstore and bought "Green Living for Dummies by Yvonne Jeffery, Liz Barclay, and Michael Grosvenor." CLEARLY...this title spoke or actually shouted to me! When I returned home I wondered if driving to the bookstore and purchasing this book was something a dummy would do and maybe I should have ordered it online!? So much to learn...

First and Foremost: My Claims

Although I admire those people who do not dispose of anything, do not have trash and do not shop for an item unless it is gone and... live in 350 square feet of space--I am not there! I also admire those who have extensive training and education in their field--I have just a few classes left to get my BA degree and it has been years since I have been a student, so I am not quite there! I also admire close, loving and maybe a little imperfect families--I am here!

All of these environments I take quite seriously--but humor moves me forward and takes the stress out of accomplishing difficult feats! Thus, this blog, which I hope will commit me to taking my non-green, CO2 emitting family from Bigfoot size 39 to Glass Slipper size 5 and improve the environment of our earth.

And the environment of my family? Who doesn't want to improve the relationships of their family? I know this is an everyday endeavor for me! I have teenagers and one in college. Yikes!

And my mind? Well, let's just say I'm a lifelong learner, and some would say a slow one at that!

And... for you wonderful tree huggers out there remember I am trying to offset not upset! So maybe--just maybe--I can inspire others who aren't quite there and help improve three vitally fundamental environments.

My next post will be how I discovered my family is the equivalent of a ginormous Bigfoot when it comes to our carbon footprint.