Shades of green

I don't want to be "light green." The fact that being and buying green has become uber-trendy is ultimately a step forward for the environmental movement, but "green consumerism is an oxymoronic phrase" ("Buying Into the Green Movement" The New York Times, 7/1/07). Consuming less, not consuming more (even if it's green), is the real way to help our fine planet on an individual level.

I have a long way to go though. I use too much water and I forget to unplug appliances when they're not in use. I travel a lot by air (without buying offsets) and I have a penchant for Ziploc bags. BUT, I haven't owned a car in 3.5 years, we get a weekly box of local and organic veggies (so organic that I found a slug in the broad beans yesterday :-(), and my consumption -- particularly of clothes -- has decreased drastically since my arrival in Cardiff. (Disclosure: this may have more to do with the bad exchange rate, my part-time income, and the lack of good stores, but there's no need to split hairs...the end justifies the means, right?)

That being said, I covet these bags: http://kimwhitehandbags.com/index.html. My daily tip from Ideal Bite (a sassy and somewhat "light green" environmental website) recommended these eco-bags because they're made from vintage automotive fabrics. Who knew such great things could come from American cars?

So, for the time being, I guess I'm more Kelly. Or Emerald. Or Harlequin?? There are so many shades of green.