The Green Friday Manifesto

[FarCenter]

The Green Friday Manifesto

In order to reduce my impact on the environment and the waste of natural resources, and to live an ethical, moral and more satisfying life:
- I will buy goods and services because of needs and not wants.
- I will not buy things the first time I see them, and I will not buy anything for more than $100 until the next day.
- I will learn about product functionality, quality, reliability and longevity before buying.
- I will learn a craft or art in order to understand how quality things are made or repaired, and I will trade with others so engaged.
- I will buy a small number of toys that will be cherished and teach value, instead of buying a large number of faddish, expendable, and breakable toys that teach consumerism.
- I will buy classic clothes for work and leisure, and I will maintain and wear them as long as they are presentable.
- I will not keep things that I no longer use, but will donate or sell them to someone who needs them.
- I will only eat food as needed for nutrition and a balanced diet.
- I will eat food prepared at home instead of eating out.
- I will avoid expensive animal proteins as well as packaged, processed foods that are high in sugar, starch and salt such as cake, chips, cookies, crackers, ice cream and pie.
- I will not drink soft drinks, bottled water, beer or wine when water or inexpensively brewed coffee and tea are available.
- I will practice good hygiene and avoid risky behaviors to minimize illness and accidental injury.
- I will seek regular preventive medical, dental and vision care.
- I will prefer proven drugs and medical procedures to new and questionable drugs and medical techniques.
- I will buy or rent housing no larger than I need.
- I will furnish my living space modestly with timeless designs of enduring value.
- I will walk, bike, or ride public transportation instead of driving.
- I will buy or rent a car based on need for transportation and not for status.
- I will not travel except when necessary, but will keep in touch through communications.
- I will not pay for entertainment, but instead seek out friends, neighbors and family for community and conviviality.
- I will not attend spectator sports, but instead engage in sports with friends and family.
- I will not pay for gyms, training, yoga, or other courses and facilities, but I will exercise regularly inside and outdoors with friends and family.
- I will learn from libraries and online resources and courses, and I will avoid expensive training and education.
- I will minimize fees and interest by consolidating financial accounts to a small number of low-cost firms and by not carrying a balance on credit cards or other high interest debt.
- I will avoid fees for financial consultants, advisors, accountants, tax preparers and the like by learning about business and finance, and I will invest prudently in sound assets for myself, my family and heirs.

[NYC_SKP]

1. Recommended. (nt)

[Curmudgeoness]

2. Giving the raspberry to some of these suggestions.

When it says that I will avoid ice cream and chips, I have to draw the line. And no beer or wine???? An outrage!

Actually, many of these suggestions are great, and I do practice many of them. But definitely not all of them, nor will I...some from necessity and some from, well, because I enjoy them too much. But to find at least 3/4 of them wonderful ideas to live by isn't too bad.

Thanks for posting.

[ConcernedCanuk]

4. Pretty much sums up my sentiments.

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CC

[Shankapotomus]

3. Excellent list

One trick I find useful for differentiating between necessities and luxuries is to picture colonial times and substitute what the colonialists would use or do in the absence of our modern conveniences. And then I look for a clean, sustainable modern alternative if it is superior to the old way.

For instance, colonialists didn't have fossil fuel burning cars but they still travelled large distances by horse. They would just have to make allowances for a longer travel time and plan to make stops, say, if they were going from Virginia to say, NYC. Since cars pollute the atmosphere, are expensive to buy and insure and a horse is not really practical for most people, I imagine colonialists with access to electric bicycles. Certainly, it would have been welcomed as an improvement to their transportation issues and not a step back as it is regarded today when compared to the car.

I apply the same thinking when it comes to lighting. I ask, what would colonialists think of solar and/or wind up lanterns? I'm sure they wouldn't look at them as basically toys as we do today but serious luxuries and innovative conveniences.

Puts things in perspective.

[Kaleva]

5. Rec'd. I do many of those listed already.