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Some ways we learned for "Going Green" and why

Paul and Mary Meredith
  • Originally published February 24, 2011 at midnight, updated February 24, 2011 at midnight

  • Some parts of Going Green from a naturalist perspective Reduce pollution - Use more natural cleaners, such as soaps and cleaners

    Conserve resources - Example: over-fishing's upset of marine ecosystem

    Conserve energy - Energy-saving tips for everywhere, ...

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    • Some parts of Going Green from a naturalist perspective Reduce pollution - Use more natural cleaners, such as soaps and cleaners

    Conserve resources - Example: over-fishing's upset of marine ecosystem

    Conserve energy - Energy-saving tips for everywhere, plus less pollution from producing energy

    Reduce consumption and waste - Apply reduce, reuse, recycle more

    Protect Earth's ecological balance - Can't change one part without changing another

By Paul and Mary Meredith

We've learned about Going-green-type systems and why they exist in the several states where we've lived. "Going green" includes chances to learn how different places in America approach recycling, and related aims and activities.

Although we've lived in Texas for years, we certainly have taken lessons from each state we have lived in. Some of the lessons were obvious, while others required understanding particular situations.

OUR GRADUATE-SCHOOL STATE

As graduate students in Indiana, we had little more money than we needed to maintain our small house. We had a backyard of solid clay, or very close to that. Growing fresh, healthy vegetables to eat meant we had to modify our soil.

Our small city had an early "compost generation" program using the city's vegetative waste from yards. We gathered raked leaves our neighbors put out in large sacks and collected old newspapers.

We first laid the newspapers on our clay and then covered the newspapers with leaves. We then tilled the two all in. It became a welcome, health-giving recycling project. We enjoyed a variety of fresh, healthy home-grown vegetables, with plenty to share with friends and colleagues.

Using newspapers reminded us of school "paper drives," which we realize now is a better idea than we thought at the time.

OUR FIRST OUT-OF-TEXAS STATE

While we in Pennsylvania, saving lawns from salt used in winter to prevent road icing involved spraying lawns with phosphate-detergent solution. The detergent, now banned, was harmful to other things, but got rid of road salt and fertilized washed lawns to become beautiful green lawns come spring.

We also learned about glass recycling through early volunteer efforts.

OUR LAST STATE BEFORE RETURNING TO TEXAS

Our local campus' student center in Louisiana included a small lake where carp, alligators (almost all small), and other small water animals lived over many years. A (sturdy) walkway above one side of the lake was the students' "feeding spot" for the lake's inhabitants. Leftovers from students' ice cream cones, etc., regularly "fell" from the walkway to the lake. Gators scrambled for students' leftover treats and ignored their healthy diet.

OUR INTENSIVELY AGRICULTURAL STATE

In Georgia, agriculture was definitely the largest industry. The types and amounts of chemicals used were harmful to the health of an astounding proportion of the population. Some of the in-state crops were tasty, but chemical usage meant it was tough to have your windows open. Allergies were widespread among residents.

OUR LESSON

There's lots to learn and to use to improve.

Paul and Mary Meredith are master naturalists. Contact them at paulmary0211@sbcglobal.net.