My philosophy? Every little bit counts. Winter was cold here so we hibernated in the small kitchen on winter evenings. We got a large wall thermometer and regulated the temperature to maximum 20 degrees. At work, I turn the heaters off when no one is looking. In convenience stores I turn off the heated toilet seats. We rarely go out unless there are three or four of us in the car. Last week I told a friend, whom I hadn't seen for five years, to stay at home instead of coming with us, because it meant taking only one car instead of two.
At the primary school where I teach international classes I include an environmental section in each lesson. I have also set up an environmental club. I carry my own chopsticks and I always refuse plastic bags. I am grappling with the concept that I really need to become vegetarian to reduce my ecological footprint.
We are planning a sustainable house which we will start to build in August 2005: adobe brick, solar panels for power (off the grid), solar water heater, bio-toilet, wind turbine for back up power, all purpose wood burner with wetback and oven, recycled materials where possible...
The picture is of me in my warrior's fancy dress made from cans and other recycled materials. I organised a "Rubbish Fancy Dress" at the kindy.