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The Power of One - Self Help Tools
Just do one green thing today. It will lead to more. -David Bach
The Power of One
![[Image]](/images/content/powerofone.jpg)
When it comes to living more green, it is all in your power – one step, one changed behavior, one new action. You can make a difference. Why? Because you have the power of one.
I know someone who transformed a standard hotel into one of the greenest in her city, and she is now teaching others how to do the same. I know another person who recently became a vegetarian, which is an effective way to go green. If that’s not for you, there’s a woman whose recycle can is the biggest can out there on trash pick-up day each week. And in some classes we Green Builders teach to realtors, realtors tell us their individual buyers are now asking about and looking for more environmentally responsible housing.
Those are all examples of the power of one. It is a decision to act, to take small steps, to build small changes into your every day life. When those small steps add up collectively, they make a huge impact.
For instance, picture these facts:
- If each person were to use ONE less paper napkin per day; we would keep more than a billion pounds out of our landfills each year.
- If each person turns off the water while brushing his or her teeth, we would save over
1.5 billion gallons of water per day.
- If we each ate just one fewer meat meals a week, and ate vegetarian that meal instead,
we would save carbon dioxide emissions equal to that of 500,000 cars.
- If each person replaced a single pack of regular toilet paper with a recycled pack, just one time a year, we’d save 1.45 million trees.
- If each of us raised the thermostat by just 1 degree in the summer, and lowered it by 1 degree in the winter, we’d save over $10 billion dollars a year in energy costs.
- If we each made ONE less car trip per week. We’d avoid producing 149 million tons of
emissions.
If each person begins to exercise the power of one, we can preserve the earth.
Will you exercise your power? Choose one small step you will begin to change in your home, transportation or office. Because you make a difference.
Please leave me ideas and comments! I’ll respond to them in future Inspirations and in my upcoming Tools to Life Program, “Start Living Green Tools.”
Have a great day,
Renee Lafair
June21,o8Renee, Thanks for reminding us of how important our individual actions are. To get the backing of "one-others" we should tell others what we are doing and maybe "they will join us"/ First on my list is to put that folded up, wooden clothes rack..that is stored in the garage out side under the carport. So next time I do a load of clothes I can dry my clothes outside in the how sun instead of using the dryer. Freya
And they smell so good air-dried in the sun! I miss that. In Canada last summer there was a huge drive to stop using indoor dryers and go back to outdoor lines. They had to fight all those gated living and apartment and condo rules that say outdoor lines are banned so neighborhoods look neater. It was a great success.
So go get that clothes rack! Great idea. Plus it is much easier on clothes not to spin around in that high heat.
it's funny that just this week i started to hang clothes outside again...But do you mean grow your vegetables and eat them? Look forward to more great ideas.
Renee,
Thank you for the examples and suggestions.
May your life's work be a source of joy as well as a contribution to our planet through Tools to Life.
I had a good long look in the mirror at myself...I was brutally honest. My analysis: I am lazy, uninspired, unmotivated. In life there is no floor below I wouldn't go. I don't know who I am anymore. I don't like me like this. I am concerned about our planet. I've decided to take a step at planting. I have planted several hardy cactus in my (empty for 12 yrs.) flower bed. Also in my yard. I planted a hybrid tomatoe plant, and 2 avocado plants. I walk instead of drive to the corner store. All these baby steps make me feel alive. I now am planning (on paper) a vegetable garden. I have to survey my yard for a good sunny spot. I'll keep in touch....
Ouch! You know sometimes we do have to do a realistic self-assessment and admit the problems...or we can't start making changes. But once we start making forward steps, it feels great.
Planting flowers and gardens feels so nice! Instead of feeling the nice surprise of receiving occasional flowers, the feeling of watching my small garden bloom a little more every day brings so much joy to me.
I also really like the idea of hanging clothes outside, although its harder to do in the winter, there is nothing better than smelling fresh sheets that have been on the line, I plan on going to get a out door rack for my patio on my lunch break!