Part of a series featuring green moms, the new Chief Eco Officers.

Jennifer Doucette, mother of three small children, writes the Mothers Going Green blog, a daily record of her implementation of green changes into her home and lifestyle.

How do you eco?

I look at everything we do each day and see if we can do things ‘greener’. We buy local and organic whenever possible. We use eco-friendly household cleaners and personal products. We grow our own vegetables and use worm composting to reduce our waste. We recycle, reuse and reduce almost everything. We conserve both energy and water; don’t use plastic bags; and minimize other use of plastics.

Why did you go eco?

I was inspired after reading, The 100 Mile Diet: A Year of Local Eating. It opened my eyes to the damage we are doing to the earth. I’m doing this mostly for my children and their children - so that they can know the same beautiful earth I have known. And if it doesn’t turn out perfectly– at least I know that I tried my hardest. I’m also doing it for ‘mother nature’ she has nurtured us for so long now and it is now time to return the favor.

What’s your favorite eco tip?

The top one would be: No plastic bags! Followed by: conserve water and energy, plant trees and eat local and organic food.

EcoLinks

• Mother’s Going Green
• Chief Eco Officers
• HomeEco
• PlayEco

Rick Hutchinson, CEO of City CarShare, puts the planet in the driver’s seat, and he’s on a mission to provide convenient, affordable access to cars to reduce individual car ownership.

How do you eco?

Reduce our CO2 impact through lifestyle decisions - buying locally, composting and using energy efficient lightbulbs and equipment. For transportation, we’re big users of public transit, walking and car sharing–which helps reduces CO2, traffic congestion, and the number of cars taking up space in our cities. I eco everyday by leading the Bay Area’s greenest car share organization. Since we’re a nonprofit, we charge as little as possible so our services are as affordable as possible. Our members will collectively save 25 million pounds of CO2 this year, drive 30,000 fewer miles each day and save over 1.5 million gallons of gasoline.

Why did you go eco?

Although I’ve always cared about the environment, being a parent has deepened my appreciation for the future of our planet. I want my daughters to live in a healthy world and pass on a more livable planet to the next generation. Making eco-activitities fit our lifestyle means my daughters will incorporate smart choices into how they live their lives. For them, it will be a natural and responsible way to live. It’s one of the best gifts my wife and I can give them.

What’s your favorite eco tip?

Visit a farmer’s market. Put a compost bag on your counter. If you can car share instead of owing a car, do it! You’ll save money and live a healthier lifestyle.

EcoLinks

• City CarShare
• Car Sharing

Part of a series featuring green moms, the new Chief Eco Officers.

Jenn Savedge writes The Green Parent blog and is author of The Green Parent: A Kid-Friendly Guide to Earth-Friendly Living. She focuses on helping parents raise kids that care about the environment without trashing the planet.

How do you eco?

I’m a firm believer that every little change makes a difference, so I make try to make every aspect of my daily life from cleaning my home to shopping for groceries as green as possible. But I can’t do it all. It can be hard to deal with “eco-guilt.” As a green author, a lot of folks expect me to be the model of “greenness” at all times. But I’m just a regular mom who is very interested in going green and tries make a difference everyday.

Why did you go eco?

I’m a big animal fan and worked for a number of years lobbying the Congress and United Nations to ensure better protection for endangered species like elephants and tigers. When my kids came along I found it tough to fit it all in. It was hard to keep up my garden and walk everywhere with a little baby in tow. My first instinct was to set eco-matters aside and focus on my kids. I then realized that eco-matters affect my girls as much if not more than all other decisions I make to keep them happy and healthy. So now, even with my work and their many activities, I eco for my girls, for their present and for their future.

What’s your favorite eco tip?

Focus on the money-savers. People seem to think that going green is only for those who can afford it. The essence of going green is to use less stuff, and to be more discriminating about the stuff we do need to use. More often than not, that translates into major savings (and who couldn’t use a little extra green?).

EcoLinks

• The Green Parent
• The Green Parent Forum
• Chief Eco Officers
• HomeEco
• PlayEco

Beth Terry, writes the Fake Plastic Fish blog, is an anti-plastic girl in a plastic world. Her detailed log of how much plastic she uses or comes across is a eye-opening view into our disposable culture.

How do you eco?

On the surface, my life and mission are about plastic. How to reduce plastic consumption and waste and find better, healthier alternatives. I track my own plastic waste and hopefully inspire others.

Our plastic habits are an example of the lifestyle our culture promotes. Plastic is convenient, because nothing can be easy enough for us. Plastic is lightweight and cheaper to ship, so we can buy and import more and more. It lasts forever in the environment as tiny plastic pieces. Plastic objects often break and usually can’t be fixed, a view into our disposable society.

Once at a meditation retreat, I ranted about garbage and the environment. The teacher pointed at his head and said, “You know what? The real garbage is in here.” I never forgot that moment. The first place I always try to start with is my “inner environment”, the source of all my actions.

Why did you go eco?

I read an article Plastic Ocean about the damage plastic particles are doing to the marine environment and how those toxins move up the food chain. There was a photo of a dead Laysan albatross, whose carcass was full of plastic bottle caps, a toothbrush and even a cigarette lighter. That photo has never left my head, and it influences my daily choices.

What’s your favorite eco tip?

Two things:

• Read the Plastic Ocean article. Then decide how you can begin eliminating unnecessary plastic.
• Use baking soda. It’s a wonder substance. I use it for cleaning, as a deodorant (yes, it really works!) and even to wash my hair. I buy it from Whole Foods in the San Francisco Bay Area that has bulk bins, where you bring and fill up your own container. So it’s zero waste. Gotta love that!

EcoLinks

• Fake Plastic Fish
• Recycling & Waste

Part of a series featuring green moms, the new Chief Eco Officers.

Tabitha Liddiard, writes the Organic for Baby and Organic In Style blogs, searching out the best organic and eco-friendly products for babies, children and adults. Products of good quality, excellent craftsmanship and–a certain hip and trendy style.

How do you eco?

Be aware of my choices. It sounds simple, but it takes conscience effort. Like going back to get my tote bag rather than using more grocery bags. Being willing to pay a little more for an eco-friendly, organic product rather than choosing the cheapest item available. My husband has even gave up his beloved gas lawnmower for a push mower. He gets a good workout with it too!

Why did you go eco?

I started doing research because I was hearing a lot in the media. There are a lot of scary facts floating around so I decided to research for myself. The more I learn, the more I try to change and apply these principles to my life. I want to make a difference for me and for my family.

What’s your favorite eco tip?

There are materials other than traditional cotton that are safer and better for the environment. Materials such as bamboo, hemp and soy. (Did you know that hemp will produce 1500 pounds of fiber per acre, whereas cotton will produce only 500 pounds per acre?) And these feel great too!

EcoLinks

• Organic for Baby
• Organic In Style
• Chief Eco Officers
• HomeEco
• PlayEco

Alex Szabo is CEO of The Green Office, an online source of sustainable, eco-friendly office supplies. He made the transition from teaching high school students about social and environmental justice to sustainability consultant and finally, in 2005, to co-founder, with Garrett Miller, of this green product company.

How do you eco?

I try to eco all around: at home, at work, on vacation, even my recent wedding. Going green is a process, not a one-time deal. Start by examining personal choices – what you buy, how you commute, where you eat, etc. Ask if there is a better way. Don’t be paralyzed: It’s about acting within your means- today. The same approach extends to you work environment. We estimate about half of TheGreenOffice.com customers began greening based on employee demand stemming from changes employees first made at home.

Why did you go eco?

For selfish reasons: I find it easier to sleep when I do less harm – and I need my rest!

What’s your favorite eco tip?

While it’s true that some green products cost more, these premiums can be offset by changes in everyday practice. Buy recycled copy paper and insist on double-sided printing in “draft” or “fast” mode and promote printing only when necessary. The paper may cost more, but you’ll save money buying fewer reams and ink cartridges.

EcoLinks

• The Green Office
• Eco Office Supplies
• WorkEco

Part of a series featuring green moms, the new Chief Eco Officers.

Kirstin Aadahl, new mother and a former special education teacher of 14 years, writes the Trying To Be Greener, a blog about safe, eco-living one day at a time.

How do you eco?

Everyday, I work at finding out a new way to make safer choices that will make a difference in being healthier and saving Earth’s resources. It can be as simple as learning where to take rechargeable batteries to be recycled, how to bank online to cut down on resources, and why to grab a BPA-free reusable water bottle when I head out the door. Safer, eco-living can be done one day at a time.

Why did you go eco?

After I became pregnant last year, I thought a lot about how small amounts of chemicals, whether in food, soap, or a mattress, could affect a little baby. Having a daughter inspired me to research safer soaps, toys, cleaning products, and food which also helps me to make better choices for myself. I can’t eliminate all hazards but I can try to reduce them. These changes haven’t made a huge impact on the world’s pollution or waste but it’s still progress. Small substitutions over time will have a bigger impact on our family’s health. By spreading the word on what I’ve learned, perhaps I can inspire others to want to do the same and all of us making safer choices for ourselves and the environment add up to measurable differences.

What’s your favorite eco tip?

There’ s one small, inexpensive thing we can do on a daily basis that would make an incredible difference if everyone adopted it - bring your own bag. Each year 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are produced and only 1% are recycled. Keep reusable bags in you car, under your stroller, or in your handbag. Use them often and see the great response you get from people when you pull them out to use!

EcoLinks

• Trying to Be Greener
• Grean and Clean Mom
• Safe Mama
• Tree Hugger
• Chief Eco Officers
• HomeEco
• PlayEco

Part of a series featuring green moms, the new Chief Eco Officers.

Christine Escobar writes the Green Parent Chicago blog as a welcome harbor for Chicago-area parents interested in natural family living and caring for the environment. She focuses on natural birth, breastfeeding, organic and vegetarian nutrition, alternative education, non-traditional families, home schooling and environmentalism.

How do you eco?

Right now, we’re trying out vegetarian meals and it’s been successful. We recycle; bring our own bags and water bottles; avoid chemical cleaners, disposable products, paper towels and excessive packaging. Whenever we can make something by hand or from scratch we try to make the time to do that. We also try to buy recycled or used items. We donate as much as we can as there is always another family who could use things taking up space - like clothes, toys, books and furniture.

Why did you go eco?

Since our kids were babies we’ve had a philosophy of doing more with less and have embraced natural parenting practices like breastfeeding and cloth diapering. Now that they’re older, simple living and homeschooling allows us to be more creative with our resources. It seems like the right thing to do for them, our family and the environment. It made more sense to us than other ideas. It’s important for our children to consider how their actions effect others, whether it be other people, animals or plants.

What’s your favorite eco tip?

You can be happier and enjoy life more with less. We certainly have our share of toys, clothes and stuff. But now when I shop, I ask whether this something we really need, already have something similar and what purpose will it serve in our house. There are so many ways to enjoy your day when you have children. Don’t waste time maintaining and cleaning possessions which cuts into time doing more important things as a family.

EcoLinks

• Green Parent Chicago
• The Green Baby Guide
• How Can I Recycle This
• Chief Eco Officers
• HomeEco
• PlayEco

Hunter Lovins claims she’s “just a Colorado cowgirl,” but trust us, when it comes to sustainability, she’s a straight shooter. As president and founder of Natural Capitalism Solutions and Sustainability Chair and faculty member at the Presidio School of Management, she tells it like she sees it.

How do you eco?

I don’t differentiate my eco versus non-eco. I live to meet my needs in the most sensible way I can and limit the impact on my planet and my community.

At Natural Capitalism Solutions, we work with people to help them solve problems in ways that cost less and work better. We help companies, communities and countries redesign how to run their operations to make them more efficient. We help them manage all institutions to be restorative of human and natural capital.

My biggest footprint is travel. I drive a reasonably fuel efficient convertible because it goes fast and performs well. My work has me riding airplanes more than horses, but all of my travel emissions are offset because Natural Capitalism is a member of the Chicago Climate Exchange. Our fees pay companies that cut their emissions more than I travel.

I’m a Colorado cowgirl, and I live my life the best I can.

Why did you go eco?

I didn’t “go eco,” it’s always what I’ve done. It simply is a better way to live. For example, the tomatoes from my local farmers market taste better than industrial tomatoes grown 2,500 miles away. I enjoy the interaction with the farmers at the Longmont Farmers Market. I enjoy my Longmont Dairy milk delivered in glass bottles. I know where the cows are. I can drive by and wave at them.

What’s your favorite eco tip?

Like folk singer Kate Wolf says, “Find what you really care about and live a life that shows it.”

EcoLinks

• Natural Capitalism Solutions
• Natural Capitalism, Inc.
• Presidio School of Management
• Chicago Climate Exchange
• Longmount Farmers Market
• Boulder Farmers Market
• HomeEco
• WorkEco

Part of a series featuring green moms, the new Chief Eco Officers.

Jennifer Lance is lead writer for Eco Child’s Play, a blog about creating an organic, fun and chemical-free life for your kids. Although she and her family have lived off the grid for 15 years in Northern California’s Trinity County in a home built by themselves and friends, daily life is still packed–with teaching preschool, working towards a Master’s Degree, blogging, gardening, hiking, yoga, and raising her children and four akitas.

How do you eco?

We live off-the-grid making our own power from a micro hydro turbine in our creek. We built our own home from salvage timber, and we grow a lot of our own food. We only buy eco-friendly toys and organic food, and we have educated our families to do the same for our children. Blogging about raising a green family is my way of helping other parents learn how they can go green. We try to live simply, sustainably, and self-sufficiently.

Why did you go eco?

Early experiences in nature made me sensitive to our environment. As a teenager, I wanted to be a Rainbow Warrior. Education helped me learn more about humanity’s impact on the climate and environment, so I consciously chose to live as eco-friendly as possible as an adult. I made career choices, home choices, and family choices based upon my concerns that humans do not have dominion over the earth to do what they want without considering the impact on other humans, plants, animals, etc.

What’s your favorite eco tip?

Recycle! Once you change your whole perception of what garbage is, you have made a huge difference. My children do not view recycling as garbage but as recycling. I feel confident that they will never consciously place anything recyclable in the trash can.

EcoLinks

• Eco Child’s Play
• The Green Guide
• Environmental Working Group
• Really Natural
• Grist
• Red, Green and Blue
• Chief Eco Officers
• Home Eco
• Play Eco