Infographic on Marine Debris

Oceans - I'm concerned about the state of our Oceans.

Meanwhile, I'm in graduate school as a candidate for a Masters in Public Administration in Sustainable Management. A friend asked me tonight, "Are you really into Oceans? Enough to want to work on the issue when you are out of school?" I believe so, yes. But I don't fit the mold. I do not have a marine biology degree, nor have I worked in policy development or evaluation over the last 20 years, so where do I fit in?

My interest in ocean advocacy started with my disgust with pollution. Waste creeps me out. Humans are incredible dirty beings. My friend pushed back at me on this pointing out that many of our fellow classmates live lives that are much more sustainable than we do - in our big houses and our dependence on our cars. She's right, I live on a hill, in a big house and would never ride my bike anywhere, plus I produce my fair share of waste.

We live in a modern world, get used to it. I can't not work on the issue of pollution just because it may be a bit hypocritical. Indeed, I probably need to do personal work and public work. In the public work, I am excited about ideas like the new EU trial to pay fishermen to collect plastic from our seas. What a great idea! What I love about this idea, is the potential for innovation. Right now, pick up plastic from the ocean is very challenging because it is like picking up egg white from egg drop soup. Monetizing this clean-up effort will encourage innovation and it will be exciting to see this develop.

For my personal life, I'm not moving into a cube anytime soon, but I do have some plans for this summer. They include:

Energy Audit - and necessary changes
Water Audit - and maybe some new dual-flush toilets
Treating my compost pile better
Figuring out how I can better read online - may an iPad?
Figuring out how to use the duplexer on my printer to print double-sided when I do print

Not sure how much of dent in my energy and water use or my waste generation my efforts will make, but it is worth the effort.

A New Year's List

Time to get serious about this blog. I start school on Jan 23rd - I'm going for my Master's in Public Administration with a concentration in Sustainable Management at the Presidio Graduate School in San Francisco. I'm a 45 year old single mom who needs a job, and have a dream of a career that I am passionate about. My children are 13 and 9, and I hope to serve as an example to them of how hard work can lead to a job one loves. I'll be in school for almost the whole time that my 13 year old is in high school. She'll graduate and I'll hopefully land a job.

I've had a lot of thoughts on sustainability, the green movement, more responsible, let's call it thoughtful living during the past year - but haven't been serious about recording my thoughts - obviously. The thing is - it is just so complicated. I keep being reminded of the dilemma - which is more environmentally friendly - disposable diapers or cloth diapers? In one house, with one child, the choice may seem obvious, but with millions of parents choosing one way or the other, it gets complicated. So I'm going to record my thoughts, questions and research here. I hope to get support from the community out there - and your questions too. I don't know the answers, and I don't want to sound like I do. But I do believe that with more intentional and thoughtful living, we can do better than we do today.

Here are some ideas for future posts:

Freedom of Choice
CFL - the pluses and the minuses
Hybrid Cars - the pluses, but what about those batteries
Plug In Cars - a good idea for some technology?
Composting - my efforts, frustrations, my success?, being elsewhere
Water - why pay for it?
The North Pacific Gyre - don't get me started - will this problem drive my future career choice?

Go Green - Go Paperless

I just logged onto my bank account and noticed, as I do every time, a box with a "Go Green" appeal to sign up for online statements. Once again, I didn't sign up. I'm tempted; but I like my paper statements. I shouldn't; I have a terrible time keeping up with all the clutter I refuse to throw away and hate to file. Today I will. I will sign up for online statements and give it a try.

I know that I can sign up for statement and bills from almost every company with whom I do business. I have been holding out and I don't have a good excuse.

So I'm going to give it a try. This month I'm going to try to move as much as possible to online vs. paper - statements, bills, newspapers, etc.

I've already been giving the San Jose Mercury News' online edition a try. I had been very frustrated with their Merc website, as it didn't have all the articles the actual newspaper has, and it is very frustrating to search and navigate. But their online, subscription edition is the actual newspaper. I'm not in love with the user interface. I don't like when the web is used like a viewer. This online newspaper is trying to give the user the same experience as turning the pages of the newspaper. The experience can be different and better. Maybe other newspapers do it better, but I need to start with my local paper, as I don't have time to read more than one newspaper a day. I know that I can easily read the online edition, now all I need to do is cancel the actual print edition. Is it okay if I shed a tear or two after I do?

It is hard to be green, but why?

When I was little, my family went camping and traveled all over the US by car. My parents, teachers and Girl Scout Leaders always said things like, "Take only photos, leave only footprints." So I listened, and so did a lot of you. But why then do I sometimes feel self-conscience about caring for the environment, using my canvas shopping bags, and driving my hybrid?

There is a popular column in the San Jose Mercury News called Mr. Roadshow in which some people complain that Prius drivers have a holier than thou attitude. Do they really?

I have to admit I feel good about using my canvas bags. They are strong and big and make taking the groceries from the car much easier. They are all different and were collected on vacations over the last several years; they make me smile. I no longer have that sick to my stomach feeling when I get home from the store and see all the waste. Sure buying any packaged food leads to a lot of waste, but at least I don't see it all balled up or piled up in the form of grocery or shopping bags.

When I shop at Whole Foods or the like, there is a common attitude, but at other stores, I feel like I stick out like a hippy chick in Birkenstocks and tie dye. I feel an urge to explain away my behavior. Why? I'm not sure. I certainly don't judge all the other shoppers. Convenience and habits are hard things to let go of or change. I know, it took me months to consistently remember my canvas. I would be happy if I served as a good example, or a role model, just please don't assume that I am judging anyone.