Meet this month’s “Sustainability Snapshot,” Christie Greene, and learn more about her efforts to live sustainably:
What inspired you to adopt more sustainable practices in your life?
When I stopped working (for money) to raise my kids (for free!), I was able to step off the conveyer belt that was my career. I began looking at the world as a new mother, and it was immediately apparent that our planet is suffering from neglect.
Can you give some examples of how you practice a sustainable lifestyle (either related to zero waste, renewable energy, conservation, involvement with the Evergreen Sustainability Alliance, etc.)?
These are always tough questions because we know that we can never do everything right. I have recycled nearly everything possible, including saving Styrofoam for 10 years until I found a place to take it. That was quite a trip (to Alpine) with my white SUV (hybrid!) filled to the brim with white Styrofoam.
Also, I purchase wind energy from Xcel (it’s just a few dollars to offset all of my electricity use with wind each month), drove a hybrid for 6 years and now I have been driving a plug-in hybrid for 6 years. Love! I have enjoyed being a member of the Evergreen Sustainability Alliance since it was created and have tried to be active in the community in a lot of ways, including years as the co-leader of the Mountain Area Earth Day Fair, founder of Evergreen350.com (a climate change awareness and activism group), and Evergreen Roots & Shoots (a youth group focused on community, animals and the environment). These groups are no longer active.
I’m excited about my current project: Wild Aware is a new group that was formed last fall out of frustration over an increase of wildlife-vehicle collisions along the Hwy 74 corridor. We have a burgeoning membership and are working on a website now. Our FB page is Wild Aware and anyone interested can also contact me at christiegreene@wildawarecolorado.com. Our goal is to bring together our community, CDOT, Parks and Wildlife, and other stakeholders to find solutions that will help us and our animals be safer.
What words of wisdom do you have for someone just getting started on their journey to ‘go green’?
Find your passion and start with that. Definitely do not waste time feeling guilty for the things you can’t do (or choose not to do). Start small and build as you learn more about different issues. Personally, I would think about plastics and palm oil first, but it is an individual process. You really can’t go wrong! Most of all, get active in your community, like being a member of the Evergreen Sustainability Alliance family. They will help you learn more and support your efforts, just like any good family would.
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