Confessions of an environmentalist: how I became the person people avoid at parties
It happened without warning. One day you buy a bar of soap. The next day, you find yourself giving a presentation on the gastrointestinal tract of beef, which is the source of greenhouse gas emissions produced in Canada.
Congratulations: you've become "the resident environmentalist." The one who scares people away (and not because of your own gastrointestinal tract).
The day I lost my friends (but maybe saved a tree?)
Zero waste actions stem from a noble intention, but let's face it: they sometimes push us towards... peculiar behaviors.
The dinner party sermon: You know, that moment when you're asked to pass the salt, and you find yourself launching into a monologue about the "eternal" pollutants found in sanitary napkins. You can see the spark of life leave your listeners' eyes. You're boring, and you can feel it.
The compost accident: poor management of the pH of your compost + heat wave + evening at home = shitty atmosphere (and the smell wasn't much better either).
The Straw Wars: I once pulled my stainless steel straw out of my bag with such a smug look that I nearly poked myself in the eye. All that just to drink a cocktail from a plastic cup... Go figure.
Hold on a minute: what if we stopped flagellating ourselves?
We put ourselves under insane pressure not to produce a gram of waste, but let's set the record straight.
Did you know? According to reports from Oxfam and other organizations, the wealthiest 10% of the world's population is responsible for more than 50% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. So, yes, your bamboo toothbrush is great, but that doesn't mean the polar ice caps are going to cool down instantly. The weight of the world doesn't rest solely on your adorable little organic cotton tote bag!
Sometimes it is better to devote one's efforts to collective action rather than individual obsession: signing a petition or voting for green laws has more impact than spending four hours making dishwashing liquid that doesn't clean anything.
To avoid ending up as a hermit in a straw hut, here are some tips to stay eco-friendly AND respectable:
The 80/20 rule: be impeccable 80% of the time, and let loose the other 20%. If you crave a bag of processed chips once a month, eat them. Guilt pollutes more than the bag (metaphorically speaking, of course).
Lead by example: it's much more effective to say, "Look at my organic bag with a super cute squirrel" than to say, "Plastic kills turtles, Jean-Pierre."
Offer a "ready-to-live" solution: instead of explaining why buying in bulk is good, give your Aunt Ginette a starter kit (a beautiful tote bag , a pretty reusable cup ). It's gentle, it's attractive, and it won't alienate anyone.
Zero waste isn't about being perfect. It's about trying, failing, laughing about it, and starting again. So, be imperfect, joyful, and a little crazy environmentalists. That's how you inspire others to join you.