Resolution: twentyten

It's been too long blogosphere, and there is so much I need to share...

First and foremost, however, a recent visit to the California Academy of Sciences in SF has inspired a new years resolution that's worth repeating, "in 2010, I will reduce my carbon footprint". 

It's such a simple statement to make, and so easy to actually do that I fear for its staying power in the American psyche - so crowded with ticker-tape news reels, holiday bombardment and the steady din of progress.  I fear this statement, "I will reduce my carbon footprint" will become trite and politicized before it has a chance to sink in.  This would be unfortunate, because if it doesn't sink in, and if we don't start acting en masse, life as we know it will become life as we knew it. 

What struck me about this exhibit was its delivery.  As a firm believer in 'learning by doing' and a connoisseur of interactive museum installations, the designers/educators nailed this display.  If you have the time/interest, you can check it out here, but the basic concept is a giant scale (I think we called them "triple beam balances" in science class).  On one side of the scale are several "beams" each of which represents a different part of our life where we use carbon (i.e. transportation).  Visitors are asked to slide weights to approximately where on the beam their daily life puts them, come up with a total amount of carbon used/yr, and then balance that number out on the other side.  In this case, this sliding scale on the other side was equated to a $ figure.  The message was, "if you use X amount of carbon per year, you need to pay $X to off-set that number and sleep better at night knowing you haven't contributed to Earth becoming the next Mars."  An environmental tithe if you will.

So what if you can't afford rent much less pay for your yearly carbon output?  Or what if you're a skeptic about everything and everyone, especially when it comes to giving your money to some sketchy business in Timbuktu that promises to plant trees for you in the desert?  Fortunately for those of us in these categories, we can simply alter our daily routines just a smidgen to make that statement a true one, "in 2010, I will reduce my carbon footprint".

For a full list of some ways to get started check out this link. 

The ones that surprised/stood out for me:

+ don't use the dryer (obviously a summer time thing in Seattle)
+ use the microwave over the oven (so counter to my fear/distrust of microwaves)
+ stick a full 1 liter bottle in your toilet tank (using less water uses less carbon, double bonus)
+ buy used furniture (I can put you in touch with a great antique dealer...Hi Mom!)
+ don't idle to warm your car up, or ever for that matter if > 6secs (modern cars have very efficient fuel injectors, not the smog belching carburetors of old)
+ unplug stuff when not using
+ eat with your hands!

and in keeping with the spirit of the Soggy Gardener, some ideas for the garden:

+ plant edibles wherever possible (from ground covers to climbers to trees)
+ plant marigolds to ward of pests in your veggie garden
+ leave your grass clippings on the lawn
+ catch/use your rainwater
+ become friends with your neighbors (especially ones that you can borrow occasionally needed stuff from...it's not mooching if you share your stuff too). 

{My apologies for the poor quality of the video...I just checked it out for the first time.  I got a new toy for xmas and am still figuring it out.  Look for more "on location" video blogs to come}

Happy gardening and good luck twentyten the year of the (carbon neutral) Dragon. 

ps.  While I was sad to report that my teaching gig at Karkeek park came to a close, I'm happy to report that I got a new full-time gig at UWBG where I'm now the Education Supervisor.  I'm stoked for this new opportunity not only b/c its a dream job for me, but it will also provide plenty of fodder for future posts, so stay tuned!