Time Warp Fiber

I've heard this phrase a lot, with different meanings associated with it all the time. Some years ago, I was told by a professor that it was good that I could knit, because, come the revolution, there wouldn't be any textile mills. I've heard feminist activists imply equality or an imbalance in the other direction, queer rights activists imply equality, too. Liberals as a group are so far flung with all our causes that it's hurt us some that we can't all agree on what's the most important. I would never trade that complexity for the single minded nature of many other groups. (did someone say war mongering neocons?) However, today being Earth Day, it seems appropriate to give our mother her due, and think about the green revolution. After all, it would be very difficult to argue about pay scales and equal rights if none of us could breathe. 

Are you green? How green? I've heard a lot of 'drop in the bucket' arguments about not even bothering, but that doesn't fly with me. I try, which is all that I could ever ask of anyone. I recycle anything with a symbol on it. (I have to be thankful to my county for allowing this, the last place I lived would allow almost nothing and the apt complex didn't even offer a pickup, so we had to drive it over) We have reusable bags, and reuse even the odd plastic or paper ones. I try not to print things out, and when I do, work with small fonts and two sides. I bake with recycled parchment paper. I don't drive, and use transit or walk for everything but groceries and occasion errands. Even then we use a Gfleet hybrid. I shop at farmer's markets, and do my best to buy in season and even local when it's available. We use flourescent bulbs and have cut out many chemical cleaners. There are things I don't do, like garden or compost. Hard to manage in an apartment.  I'm sure there's more, but we try. And I would encourage you to. I don't enumerate green things I do here to be smug or to guilt anyone. Bu I think we need to talk about it, bring people over, little by little. I'll admit I didn't vote for Nader, but I do recycle.

There are good side effects, too. Less chemicals in your body and home is something to be happy about. Growing a garden is something to be very proud of, and burns calories too. Not to mention just leaning out the window to get basil for the tomato sauce. I get a sense of accomplishment from everything I do for myself rather than pay for, with dollars and carbon. That scarf spun from local wool and handknit? Not only did you not support terrible labor practices and a fashion industry that kills female self esteem, you saved all that fuel from the probably Asiatic factory to warehouse to outlet. So think about it the next time you get in the car, or throw away a bottle, or buy imported fruit. Try. Tell your friends. It is impossible to fail if you never quit trying. Happy earth day.