Adventures in learning how to treat our Earth more gently and our bodies well, while still enjoying a life filled with good things.
Guilt over environmental hostilities
By Coralie, on June 18th, 2009 at 08.58 PM
Category: I had an interesting conversation with someone the other day which has, hopefully, set my mind in motion toward finding a more balanced view of how ‘well’ I do each day with being friendly to myself and to the environment.
Most days I do well
You see, I think that I do pretty well with making as little impact on the Earth as I can: I often catch public transport and use the car only a few times a week; I use microfibre for cleaning through my whole house; soap nuts in the laundry; I rarely use soap or chemicals on my body for cleaning or personal maintenance; I use washable and/or reusable mentrual products.
Some days I don’t do so well
There are places where I fall down, though, and at these times, I actually feel guilty for not doing better: I use the clothes dryer much more often than I should; I seem to go through way too much toilet paper; I get my hair coloured (although I’m working on getting more body friendly products for that); I eat McDonald’s at least once a week and usually drink Coca Cola at the same time; I eat far more lollies than I should. I don’t feel guilty so much for putting unhealthy food into my body, since it’s mostly only me that is being affected, but when I consume food from giant conglomerates who are known for raping the planet, I feel guilty for supporting those companies.
So when I had this conversation the other day, this lady was saying to me that if we’re doing our best in most places in our lives, then we shouldn’t feel guilty for those places where we could do better, or where we know we’re doing something that isn’t so good for us or for the planet. Perhaps, though, guilt isn’t such a destructive emotion as long as I use it to spur myself into action to do even better.
Is good enough good enough?
I still do feel bad for those things I do which seem to be rather environmentally hostile, but then I try to convince myself that it’s okay to do those things, since there are people around who don’t seem to make any effort at all. But does that excuse me from making every change possible? Does that make me as bad as a company that chops down millions of acres of old growth forest, but thinks it’s okay because they then sponsor a clean up effort at a local beach, or they donate some money to a charity?
What do you think? Do you ever feel guilty for not making more changes in and around your home to be as environmentally friendly as possible? Perhaps you have ideas for how I can improve in the areas I fall down. Please share your thoughts in the comments.
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I think it’s good to feel guilty about the things in your life that you want to change. Otherwise, there’d be nothing urging you toward making that change. That said, it’s good to do a periodic review and see what areas you want to work on. The changes don’t have to all happen immediately. Choose one thing you want to do better with and work on that on thing. Then move on to the next.
The fact that you question your own actions and habits is a big step toward making the changes you want!
@ Cyndi: Absolutely. Questioning is what causes us to better ourselves in all sorts of ways.
I gave up the car, Threw out the dryer, stopped using microwave-ready meals and cut right back on the takeaway, to the point that takeaway is when I get $4 of chips to go with dinner because it is cheaper than buying them at the shops then having to cook them. But yet can’t give up the TV. I think I could go as far as living almost entirely enviro-friendly out in the bush but I would still need my internet connection & TV. I feel guilty about these and try to ease my mind saying “but it is the best way to remain connected with the outside world” Really I don’t think it matters how many times you fail as long as you do keep trying.
@ Trish: I’m with you on half of that: I could easily do without the TV, but I would still want internet if I lived off the bush.
If the people want to change, and think more enviormently friendly, they have a lot to change. Maybe more than what people want to give.
The best way is from a Nike add: just do it . nothing more nothing less.
ps on internet it’s easyer to watch a tv show, than doing internet on the TV;–)
@ Edwin: Yes, many people aren’t willing to make even the small changes. It’s going to take a generation or two before being environmentally hostile is as frowned upon socially as littering is.
You can take this approach to any aspect of life. I know sometimes I feel bad that I’m not as good a parent as I could be, but I try to acknowledge the good work I do, and continually strive to be better. Maybe we can take that approach with how we treat our planet - appreciate that we’re doing a good job, and continue to look for ways to improve. It’s hard to get rid of guilt, but it’s really not a very helpful feeling. Guilt usually relates to what was done in the past, and we can’t change that. You’re doing a whole lot more than some people and you’re still looking at ways to do more. You’re doing great!
@ Audrey: Thanks for the encouragement. And you’re right, we can’t change the past. It’s much better to look forward and do what we can from the here and now. Wise words, indeed.
“I eat McDonald’s at least once a week …….. I don’t feel guilty so much for putting unhealthy food into my body, since it’s mostly only me that is being affected,….” But that is where you are wrong, eating a burger from Maccas isn’t just doing you harm it is doing the environment a huge amount of harm as well as it being cruel. I think a big change you could make is not to eat factory farmed meat and dairy and eggs. More damage is done from this than some of the other things you mention. The ideal would to become a vegan. There are heaps of sites and heaps of research that shows being a meat eater (especially factory farmed) and an environmentalist are pretty much mutually exclusive See http://www.unleashed.org.au/change_the_world/go_veg/environment.php. There are a stack more environmental reasons listed as well as: “The livestock industry is responsible for more greenhouse gasses than all the planes, trains and automobiles in the world combined! In fact, 1Kg of beef does as much damage as driving a large family car 170Km.” The vegetarian/vegan associations websites as well as numerous other agencies, scientists, people can confirm this.
@ Angela: I’ve been learning more about this, lately. Thanks for the link. I’ll take a look.