by KC Walters, PVAS Conservation & Land Manager
When I was 16, I attempted to ferment food waste to produce ethanol as an alternative fuel. This project took me all the way to victory with a shiny blue ribbon in chemistry at the Virginia State Science Fair. Years later, I realized all I had produced was glorified moonshine. However, this project was about more than what was distilled. In me, it instilled a life long desire to save the planet.
I’ve come to accept that I probably won’t single-handedly save the planet, but I know I can make a difference. I recycle, plant trees and turn off the water faucet while brushing my teeth. I have the whole “going green” thing down, right? WRONG! Just last week, I found out sandwich bags aren’t recyclable and compostable plastic isn’t all that compostable. I clearly still have a lot to learn!
I know that I take many of my privileges for granted. I mean, who wants to get out of the hot shower in under five minutes after a snow day? And what’s really the big deal if I forgot my reusable shopping bag for the 30th time and need to use just one disposable plastic bag again? Bad, bad, bad.
We all have something we could do or change to make ourselves a little better. Perhaps you want to eat healthier or go to the gym more. There’s no harm in setting a resolution, and February’s not to late. The problem can be keeping those resolutions.
My 2019 resolution is to learn more about and make choices to be little greener. No, I’m not going to sell my truck or turn off the heat in the house (my mom would be soooo mad). But, I am going to make an honest effort to make more green conscious choices in my everyday life. And to keep that resolution, I’ve decided to try out the millennial blog scene and have readers to help hold me accountable! My plan is to make small changes each month and figure out how I can do just a little bit more to help our planet. And at the end of each month, I will write about the changes I made, or attempted to make, and what the end result was. I hope you all will join me this year as I become 12 Shades Greener!