Fight Back!

I am horrified at the number of mass shootings and gun violence in my country. Last week, another high school was attacked. The survivors are fighting back, speaking out, and organizing protests. I can't express how proud I am of these children and adults. I was in high school when Columbine happened and I remember just feeling scared and bewildered. Powerless.

I wish we could have organized ourselves back then like they are today. The least I can do is support the ongoing efforts happening now.

If you want to hear a well-spoken young woman and survivor on the issue, click here.

Even if gun violence is not on your radar, try to contact your representatives about any issue that stirs your heart. I use 5calls.org to send emails. I haven't done it in months, but starting today my goal is to do this every Monday. The elected officials need to know where we citizens stand on these vital issues.

Today I wrote to my Senators about:

• gun violence 
• protecting Dreamers 
• disclosure of the sponsors of online political ads 
• protecting the ADA 
• protecting social programs like Medicare and Medicaid from budget cuts 

COE Plastic-Free Lent

A friend posted this article about the Church of England going "plastic free" for Lent. I don't practice Lent, but this is such a great idea!

So I'm sharing today's tip from their calendar:

Bring your own reusable bags Plastic bags and produce bags in particular are often used for minutes before being discarded. Most plastic bags are not recycled, ending up in landfills.

Great tip -- how do you remember to use your totes? I keep mine in the trunk of the car and try to be mindful about my errands. I think, "OK, what am I doing? I'm going shopping. So I need to a) stick to my list, b) resist impulse buys, and c) bring my reusable bags."

It's a simple exercise with a big impact. And when you get home, it's important to empty your bags and put them by the door (or directly back into the trunk).

Another suggestion is to keep them in your passenger seat as a visual cue.

You can also get small bags that fold up and/or clip onto your purse for those quick, impulse trips to the drug store, etc.

No Spend Project

We kicked off my environmental group's winter film fest with The Clean Bin Project. It's just another film in a similar vein that we've shown over the years, including No Impact Man and Just Eat It.

Clean Bin is a couple's challenge to generate as little trash as possible for an entire year. At the end they do a weigh in to see which one had the least garbage. Included in this challenge was the rule that they couldn't buy anything other than necessities.

For the project, they were hardcore -- no clothing, no toiletries, etc. My friend and I agreed to try our own "No Spend" project to reduce our impact on the environment. First goal is to do it for 3 months.

I just returned from a big trip to Orlando, so I need to spend less for financial reasons as well as environmental ones. Join me as I set up my own rules (next post) and share my trips and trials along the way.

Are you going to challenge yourself to spend less?