My Oil Spill Rant

Oil Spill -

I know everyone is tired of hearing about the BP oil spill. Forgive me for the cynical view: This spill won't get us to change our habits or dependence on oil.
Even people who think it is awful and are willing to boycott BP, won't change their habits in a way that will drive less, buy less plastic, eat locally, depend less on climate control (a major convenience), moving toward natural gas is not going to help us… we need independent energy solutions that are renewable and safe.
Fact: Wind energy does not pollute; Solar Energy does not pollute; S&W energy are affordable & safe

On the other hand, oil & natural gas cannot claim those same points. Is the claim to fame tradition, cheap energy, & money changing hands behind the scene (big biz - gosh, I hate big biz)

What is the problem people? I just want to scream it at the top of my lungs. We are so dependent on convenience? Myself very much included in the direction of my disdain. I drive a cross over, commute more than 25 miles to work, forget my reusable shopping bags, and don't always have the forethought to buy locally grown food (especially meat, which we are trying to cut back)

Politically this is really pissing me off. I absolutely cannot believe Obama hasn't stepped up with demands about climate change, energy independence, and our way of life. He promises so much HOPE and it has really been disappointing. He just spent crazy amounts of money and hasn't really changed anything. I know change takes time, but I am an environmentalist. That is my passion & claim to fame. That was the main reason motivating my presidential vote. I am disappointed.

We have to deal with the spill even though it is inconvenient. We have to keep it top of mind even if we are tired of hearing about it. It is tremendously sad and heartbreaking. I wish we could turn back the clock and enforce regulations (that may or may not exist) that would prevent what is nothing short of an indelible catastrophe.


82 days since the spill. 82 days of oil spewing. Spewing! Into the gulf. The body of water I grew up visiting, enjoying, and playing in. In my family we don't call it the ocean. When your parents grow up on the gulf, you become a snob about the gulf. (surely, some sociological/antho theory can explain that) It is currently being PERMANTENTLY destroyed! Just heartbreaking & sickening.

What can we do? How are you willing to change? How am I prepared to change my life to lesson or eliminate (gasp) our dependence on fossil fuels?

My Green Goals

I originally started this space to chronicle my adventures as a tree huggin' event planner. It has morphed into a catch all space for my journey to greeness, event planner aspirations, and goal setting. Today, I have goals on my mind. I would definitely classify myself as a good Capricorn, a goal setting, ambitious, and forward thinking individual.

I have so many goals to become more sustainable & self sufficient that I end up getting completely overwelmed. So, let's break it down to this week.

This week/weekend:

1. Start lasagna composting w/ newspaper & cardboard boxes. This will expand my garden space for the fall and spring of next year.
2. Clean out garage: take recycling to the center, organize my "tools" (gardening, storage, etc), donate whatever clutter we don't need, and use what we can in our projects.
3. Blog about my gardening challenges, with pictures. This is a good promise for better blog posts w/ examples of the bugs/issues we encounter.
4. Explore LLC filing procedures & take atleast 1 step forward.
5. Turn compost pile.

I once ran across someone that gives herself 3 goals per day. They were as simple as laundry, work, and make dinner. With this idea in mind, I have decided to make the list shorter than all the things running through my head. Even as I finish up this post, I am thinking of things to add. Keeping it short, though, will help better set me up for success.

What are your goals for this week to live a more sustainable lifestyle? And how will you be enjoying the weekend?

How were you green today?

Everyday I try to be conscious of my actions and the impact those actions have on my immediate environmental surroundings and the whole planet. I try to eat locally grown foods (easier in the summer). I try to drive slower and less aggressively. Although, I cannot cut my miles, I can carpool with my husband (when I wake up on time), and use less gas getting to and from work. Today, we skipped the meat in dinner, I brought my own reusable shopping bag, planted pumpkin and spinach seeds for our fall crop, tended to my garden. I drank tap water, and brought my breakfast in a reusable container.

I fell short in many ways today. I shopped at a chain store purchasing toiletries in plastic bottles, laundry detergent in plastic, and picked up dry cleaning..... Obviously, I have quite a bit of room for improvement. Now, I am a big fan of perfection, but understand that perfection is not possible 100% of the time. Hopefully, making an effort is more important than being perfect.

How were you green today? Do you fall short sometimes, like me?

The Beginning

Sustainably Chic Ga is a green consulting firm focused on living sustainably, thus preserving the planet for many generations to come. Sustainability has many definitions, but mainly, it entails the environmentally, economically and socially just practices that maintain a world suitable for future generations.

Live chic in the Southeast through sustainable practices, such as buying locally grown foods, using natural products, and following the reduce, repair, reuse, and recycle mantra. As being green becomes more popular, more and more information is thrown at us everyday. It can take a lot of time to understand what works and what consists of "greenwashing." You don't have to be a dirty hippie to live green. You can still be fashionable and on the go, with my tips to live in style while still being kind to the planet. I am continually educationing myself on the latest green living techniques, best products, and can even provide a rating of local farms and local food markets.

This new era should be more than about living green, but about making choices that are fair to all populations. In addition to providing green consulting, I will take you on my journey and through the challenges of truly living a sustainable lifestyle... chicly!