Not easy being green

This is an old clip (note the reference to Earth Day) over at Momversation that I’ve been meaning to write about. It deals with one of the key issues for me in that how “green” (I am starting to hate that word–and it’s my favorite color) you are is heavily influenced by where you live and your economic circumstances.

I do think there are sometimes other solutions that need to be explored, rather than saying: “I can’t afford to buy the $10 organic chicken breasts at the supermarket so I will just buy Tyson.” You can consider eating less meat, or shopping at local farmer’s markets for produce rather than Whole Paycheck.

One of the things that was so educational about living in Korea was the relative lack of variety when it came to food. Korea’s agricultural industry is pretty well protected and the country does not import a great deal of produce. (Note: I mean that compared to the U.S.) For the most part, if it wasn’t grown there and it wasn’t in season, you couldn’t buy it. It drastically altered our eating habits and the way we looked at food.

So, the thing that I think gets left out of the picture in a lot of discussions like this, is that sometimes it can be a choice to do without something rather than making a more expensive choice. It’s how most of the rest of the world lives.

But, yeah, the part about living somewhere without good public transportation and recycling options, it hit home for me. I think it’s important to be as aware as you can be, and do what you feel able to do. Taken together, a lot of little things can make a big difference.