We try so hard: Diligently snipping the plastic rings from soda six-packs. Yanking weeds rather than dousing them in chemicals. Going farther to buy organic, leaving our convenient cars in the garage, and wearing two sets of socks instead of turning up the thermostat.

We don't mind sacrifice when it's for the good of mankind.

But it's easy to go from "conscientious" to "crazy" when we visit a relative who has the air conditioner blasting with the windows open, a trash can full of recyclable plastic water bottles and a brand new Escalade idling in the driveway.

I struggle with how to effectively nudge my friends and family members to be more responsible consumers — if not to improve the planet then at least to not cancel out my efforts! My natural M.O. is to shame them: "Thanks for the beer. Where's your recycling bin? I'm sure you have one, right? Who doesn't these days?"

Or scare the CO2 out of them: "Does your Hummer come with a rudder? Because you'll be needing one when we're all under water."

But I know it's a self-defeating approach. Once I become "that preachy eco-snob," they not only stop listening to me, they're likely to run (or, OK, drive) in the other direction.

Folks who have been doing the green thing longer than I have say there are better ways to change the minds — and behaviors — of eco-ambivalent friends.

1.Find something they care about (gardening? surfing? their kids' health?)  and talk about the environment as it relates to that issue specifically.

2. Talk dollars and cents. Tell them how much money you've saved by installing CFL light bulbs, taking the bus and planting drought-resistant shrubs. "It works," according to GreenDealsDaily(http://www.greendealsdaily.com/blog/top-5-ways-to-convince-people-who-dont-give-a-damn-about-the-environment/) "because we don’t need to learn new morality; wrap our heads around scientific evidence; or face our deepest fears. It taps into the part of our brains that’s been conditioned since birth to think MONEY = GOOD."

3. Green gifting is great. Present your friends with a hip canvas grocery bag, cool reusable water bottle, some green cleaning products or organic chocolate bar. Chances are they'll enjoy it and begin to associate green living with good living.

4. Blind them with science. Of course, your Escalade-driving Aunt Rosie may still think global warming is a hoax. Check out Coby Beck's "How to Talk to a Climate Skeptic" for tips on chatting with her, but keep in mind she may never embrace an eco-existence.

5. Show by doing. Walking to the grocery store is better when you have a friend along; invite yours for 'exercise' and then pop into the supermarket while you're out. Making a home cooked meal with a friend (even if they just keep you company) can show them how luscious cooking (instead of ordering in) can be.

6. Make it fun. Picking your own veggies and flowers at the farmer's market is a feast for the senses, bike riding makes everyone feel young again, and taking the kids (theirs and yours) to the park for a game of frisbee or kickball instead of sitting in front of the TV will give everyone a healthy, happy glow.

 

Disclaimer: I was born in Indiana. That means I have experienced all four seasons, including the beauty and majesty each one has to offer. Having lived in San Francisco for the past 2 years, many of my friends and family assume that I love being snow-free during the winters. Wrong! At first, the idea of having no snow to shovel or trudge through was refreshing, especially after living in Connecticut for 7 years, where winter happily makes itself known. Slowly but surely, the idea of experiencing the end of the year without snow just felt … alien. Had I grown but in, say, Puerto Rico or Texas, maybe Christmas in short-sleeve shirts would seem completely natural. Instead, I'm a homespun farm girl who love everything nature has to offer. Lately, many say due to global warming (and I agree with them), the weather has gone completely wacko. There has been more rain than snow in Massachusetts and Connecticut; Orlando, Florida was 80 degrees the other day; but the ultimate proof that things have truly gone nutty is that is snowed almost 4 inches in Las Vegas a few weeks back! Snow … in Vegas … something just isn't right about that … that feels alien. Maybe we should all be thankful that the weather patterns are shifting. Soon, central states all across the United States will be able to put away their tire chains and relax in lawn chairs during Thanksgiving, while folks in Vegas, Texas, and Georgia get covered in many feet of snow. It sounds extreme, but that is the way the weather is headed - 2008 is proof of that. Storms will get more violent, summers will be hotter, winters will be colder, and unexpected events will become commonplace.

Read More »

Navigating the world of green toothpaste is a little like trying to find a good handbag at a discount store - lots dodging of formidable land mines (aka ladies) who are determined to find that $50 Kate Spade, even if it means blowing up a few people along the way. So why bother? Well, because it's not considered a food, conventional toothpaste contains lots of potentially harmful stuff, including artificial colors, flavors and sweeters that are known to cause cancer in lab animals, like saccharine. Not to mention fluoride, which many natural health advocates insist is bad news. Since 1997, the FDA has required that all fluoride toothpastes carry warning labels. Don't believe me? Check out your tube. Mine reads "If more than used for brushing is accidentally swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away."

Read More »