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Climate Stories

earth in a frying pan

Individually, we are taking action

We believe we have a moral imperative to stop global warming, and it will happen through actions small and large.  EUUC members and friends are sharing their thoughts, ideas, and personal actions.  We hope they inspire you to further action!

How Green can You Get?
by Carlo Voli

How far can you go in developing new habits to lead a more sustainable lifestyle? Here are some of the changes that I have made just in the last year:

  • Converted my front lawn into a communal vegetable garden with over 600 square feet of raised bed space. I use the rainwater from my numerous rain barrels for watering and produce up to 75% of my food.
  • Gave up using my clothes dryer completely as of June 2009, using the sun in the summer to dry clothes in my back yard and installed a retractable clothes line in my family room for winter drying. (Clothes dryers are the largest consumer of electric energy in our homes.)
  • Started using rainwater in the winter for flushing my toilets. Just got into the habit of filling up a couple of 5 gallon buckets from my rain barrels and bringing them into the house every day.
  • Gave up my TV. I save money and have more time for reading and doing other things, and I am further away from the mental grasp of media corporations and advertising. It is so-o-o liberating!
  • Made a strong commitment to not using any disposable utensils or cups in any circumstance. I carry a coffee mug and reusable plates and cups in my car as well as some storage containers in case I need to take home restaurant leftovers.
  • Changed my bank account to a local credit union.
  • Think about, research, and choose who and what I’m supporting with each dollar I spend.
  • Continue to cycle to work as many times a week as weather permits with my pedal assist electric bicycle; continue driving my small but very comfortable and spacious 40 mpg Golf VW with biodiesel
  • Use renewable energy for eight months of the year from my small solar and wind system
  • Use only organic and non-toxic foods
  • Eat no beef whatsoever, and only occasionally eat other types of flesh.
  • Try not to purchase any item unless I truly have a need for it.

I continue discovering more and more blind spots in my own lifestyle that I have not been aware of, and am trying to become less judgmental of all those who have not achieved the same awareness of the cause and effect of the decisions they make everyday in the way they use resources and make purchases. I recognize that my being able to help bring real change cannot come from a space of anger, resentment, or negativity.

Inspiration and small changes
by Janet Chalupnik

I was very inspired by seeing the film Home, and the discussion following the showing where Steve Ernst recommended the book, Heat: How to Stop the Planet From Burning, by George Monbiot. I have read that book and found it fascinating.  I recommend it to anyone who is serious about lowering carbon dioxide emissions.

Some small changes I have made include turning off the computer at night, ignoring the fact that there is an elevator in my building, and altering travel plans. We had already changed out the light bulbs, turned down the heat, and bought a Prius a while ago. I continue to examine daily practices for opportunities to reduce our carbon footprint.

The other, perhaps more significant, plan was to get the film Home shown by groups I belong to, such as my League of Women Voters unit in Edmonds. We viewed it at the December meeting, and a number of people took a DVD home with them to pass on to others.

I have also phoned my senators and asked them to work for a strong climate change/energy bill in Congress. Their phone numbers are
Patty Murray: 202-224-2621
Maria Cantwell: 202-224-3441

I look forward to joining an organized effort by EUUC to get the film shown in other churches in the region, UUs and other denominations, in the belief that seeing the film motivates people to take action.

Job exchange to reduce commutes
by Gail Smith

Since the 80's, when I was starting out as a mental health counselor, I've wished Metro would keep a job exchange database.  I knew people in entry level jobs—counselors, office assistants, teachers—who lived in north King County and worked in Burien, or lived in West Seattle and worked in Everett.  People would literally be driving past each other to go to virtually the same jobs.  When you're looking for a job, you have to take the first one you can find, and can't be picky about where it is.

If Metro kept a list of people in low-level, interchangeable jobs, people could take the first job they find, and then keep looking for a job close to where they live without having to stay in full job-search mode.  Once two people, whose equivalent jobs would each bring the other closer to home, were identified, a single interview for each one with their prospective employers would be all that was needed to make the switch.

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