It Ain't Easy Being Green

There. I did it. I unplugged my mobile phone charger. Added to the fact that I do the wash at 30 degrees, (mostly) recycle, and don’t have a car I’m feeling quite pleased with myself. So why then do I still have this nagging feeling that it’s not enough?

One word.

Guilt.

I see the commercials. I read the adverts. I (over)hear the conversations in the street. We’re all doomed.

And it’s my fault.

If only I had switched to energy saving light bulbs sooner, or composted, or reused that shopping bag back in ‘’91, we might not be in this mess. But is it really that dire? The scaremongers would have you believe we’ve only got 10 years until… well, until something really bad happens. On the other end of the spectrum there are those who say that there’s not a problem at all – (Global Warming???? – don’t be ridiculous!).

So who’s right? Well, I’m no expert but I’d venture a guess that the reality is somewhere in the middle. Isn’t it always? Things that seem too good to be true generally are (think sugar free chocolate). And problems that seem like the end of the world usually aren’t (killer bees anyone???).

Sooooooo. Does this mean I’m giving up on being green? Nope. But I’m also not going to become an eco-warrior bent on smiting the modern day “Carbon Yeti” either. I’ll just keep doing my small bit and hope that in 10 years I can take credit for saving the planet. Or at least be forgiven for not unplugging my computer.