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.

When the six-pack and the beach just aren't compatible

Those who know me personally will laugh when I say that I am abandoning the six pack. "But surely you gave up the quest for the perfect rectus abdominis some time ago?" I hear some say. "Did you ever start?" say other, braver souls. But I'm not bothered what they say, because I'm not referring to the ideal bikini body, a la Denise Lewis. No, I'm talking about drinks cans.

You see, it has just come to my attention that six-pack rings last for an incredible 450 years. Which might have earned them points for durability, if they had any use once you've removed them from the cans in question. The problem is that they don't, so people discard them and, one way and another, they find their way into our seas and oceans. Whereupon they float around, never to decompose, forever posing a threat to sea life. It's easy to see how fish and aquatic mammals such as seals and dolphins can choke on them and become entangled in them. Clearly this has to stop.

So what can we, the consumers, do about it? Well two things really: either stop buying them and actively opt for different forms of packaging; or if that's not possible, at least cut them up into pieces before we throw them away. And should you ever see one on a beach or river bank - remember its deadly half-life and do the right thing. You'll feel terribly good about yourself if you do.

In fact, let's drink to the demise of the six-pack!