For years, the likes of Al Gore and other 'tree-hugging, dirt worshipers', as the popular bumper-sticker so aptly phrases it, have been extolling to us the virtues of 'going green', that is, living in a more environmentally conscious manner. The word 'green' itself has long since been hijacked and raped of its once simple, yet far-reaching, significance. We now see the phrase employed more often in General Electric and Walmart commercials than anywhere else. Like many other issues in our society, the true facts have been muddled by corporate greed, eager to profit from a formerly burgeoning social consciousness.
Out of frustration and a propensity for passive-aggressive behavior, I've so far abstained from jumping head-first into the 'green revolution', fearing (1) the social ostracism that might occur from delving too deeply into an alternative lifestyle, (2) that such an effort might be a wasted exercise in the face of ever-evolving debate over what exactly is good for our environment, and (3) a general lack of education concerning what changes I might make to my lifestyle.
But from here on out, I'm resolving to undertake the experiment, and am making an attempt to document my efforts, so that I might better understand my failures once they inevitably occur, due to lack of will, excess substance abuse (the former being a frequent result of the later), or a lack of money to pull off certain endeavors. My true goal, however, is to separate the neat, packaged 'green' lifestyle currently being sold by corporations, from the natural, logical manner in which one can live more consciously, without necessarily buying those new expensive light bulbs, or the organic meat at Whole Foods that costs twice as much as the meat on sale at Shaw's or Stop & Shop.
Undoubtedly the truths and myths about a 'green' lifestyle will not be easy to separate, as I imagine the situation as more of a Venn diagram, with certain overlaps, rather than a boxing ring with Corporate Greed in one corner and 'True' Environmentalism in another. I do not doubt that many working at GE truly care that their products become environmentally friendly, just as I am confident of the fact that many 'Green' institutions have bills to pay and money to be made. My hope is simply to find the middle ground where their good intentions overlap.
My 'experiment' will begin on June 1st, 2008 - the day I move into my new house in the Bonnet Shores district of Narragansett, RI. This fresh start will hopefully be conducive to establishing new habits more in line with an ecologically-conscious lifestyle. I suppose a brief synopsis of the living situation is in order, so all my imaginary readers will know what I'm up against...
The 5-bedroom, 2-story (plus an unfinished basement) house that we (who 'we' is will be discussed later) are moving into has been described as a 'modern cape', whatever that's supposed to mean. Its got 2 bedrooms and a 3/4 bath upstairs, 2 bedrooms and a full bath on the main floor, and then a new 5th bedroom that's being finished in the basement. It's got a sizable kitchen, living room, and deck, as well as ample room in the basement for all kinds of shenanigans. It has oil-based heat and an electric water heater.
