In the earth-friendly circles in which I travel, I meet a lot of extremely dedicated eco-activists. They are all outrageously well meaning, if a bit overly caffeinated. The fact is I tend to keep my distance from the true zealots – those endlessly earnest composting vegans, the ones who wear hemp, sew their own cloth diapers, and vibrate with positive energy. Instead, I seem to gravitate towards women who are more like me: well-intentioned but slightly slothful and just the tiniest bit cranky. Basically, I am committed to the Earth but reluctant to break a sweat. I would describe myself as “chill” except that my kids have forbidden me to use that word (unless it’s in the context of chocolate pudding). For low-key gals like me who want to make a greener, cleaner Earth – while still finding time to relax – I offer the following tips:

1. Resist the urge to procreate. This will protect the Earth from the harmful effects of 4,000 disposable diapers while saving 100 gallons of water each and every day. Also, it will save you 18 to 22 years of hard labor. As a side benefit, you will be able to wear clogs and use inappropriate, youthful slang without anyone criticizing you for it.
2. Stop eating mayonnaise. There is absolutely no way to get those jars clean enough for recycling, so just switch to mustard and call it a day. In the long run, the Earth will thank you – and your arteries will, too.
3. Buy a Toyota Prius. This will earn you such massive eco cred that you won’t really have to do anything else except stand around looking smug and virtuous.
4. Get a dog. Dogs are an excellent way to dispose of leftovers, and most of them will also eat junk mail, couch pillows, eyeglasses and other household items that would otherwise end up in landfills. Cats will perform many of the same functions, but on the downside”¦they’re cats.
5. Go to a car wash. This is counter intuitive and flies in the face of all that homespun, simple life, do-it-yourself rhetoric, but the fact is a professional car wash is much more water efficient than using a garden hose in your driveway. Plus, your dog – and husband – will find the car wash endlessly amusing.
6. Start buying Diet Coke in cardboard boxes containing 24 cans. This way, you won’t have to cut up those annoying, plastic six-pack rings. Also, you’re less likely to run out of Diet Coke.
7. Announce that you will no longer cook any endangered species of fish. Also refuse to buy chicken or milk containing antibiotics or PCBs or eggs that aren’t cruelty free. This will knock so many foods off your menu that you’ll be able to serve microwave popcorn for dinner without feeling guilty.
8. Designate one day a week as “Stay in Bed Sunday.” On this day you will use very little electricity, you won’t contribute to the out-of-control consumer culture, you will produce almost no waste, and your skin will look refreshed and wonderful.
9. Work at home if you possibly can. Telecommuting saves the planet from harmful automotive carbon emissions. Plus, it is sometimes possible to nap during the workday.
10. OK, I know that’s only nine, but frankly, I’m exhausted. And I really believe that nine tips are more than enough. Yessiree, nine tips are plenty.

Image: bredgur

The post The Lazy Woman’s Top 10 Tips for Saving the Planet appeared first on EcoSalon.

Everyone was hopping on the Green TV bandwagon this week for Earth Day, some more successfully than others. But when April is over and the networks turn their lights back on, some green shows will still be on the air trying to save the planet. Here are a few of our favorites.

The Lazy Environmentalist Wins Some, Loses Some

We love the lazy environmentalist, because he really sums up our attitudes about being green. Sure we want to do our part to save the planet, but we’re busy. We can’t spend a lot. And we too, can get a little lazy. Enter Josh Dorfman who visits eco-skeptics to see what habits they can alter without too much effort or a noticeable lifestyle change.

Season two premiered this week and Josh worked with an interior designer and a family who loves to camp. Neither gave the environment a second thought. Until now.

Interior designer, David Brian Sanders, a complete anti-eco snob, said that green products did not meet his client’s standards. But Josh prevailed and Sanders incorporated a toxin-free mattress, a soy-based concrete floor stain, energy efficient appliances, a vintage stove, and low VOC paint. Victory for Josh.

No such luck in segment two. Dorfman showed a family how to camp with less environmental impact. We get that people want a few modern conveniences in the woods, but these guys brought a generator for their TV, DVD, iPod, computers, electric cooktop, and microwave. Doesn’t feel like communing with nature to us. Add in the drive and mother earth would be better off if they just stayed home.

Surprise, surprise. They weren’t open to switching to the solar generator, shower heater, oven, or the battery-less crank lights. Their only concession? The recycled sleeping bags. Seems they were pretty soft. So much for “Leave No Trace” camping.

Calling All Cash for Clunker Doubters

If you’re wondering if you should let that Cash for Clunkers program slip through your fingers, you might want to think again and buy that new refrigerator. Need proof that EcoStar products payoff in the long run? Then plug your TV back in and tune into “Wa$ted” on Planet Green.

This week’s episode followed host Annabelle Gurwitch as she worked with two sisters, who own and operate the deliciously decadent Sweet Melissa Patisserie in Brooklyn, New York. Sibling rivalry was taking its toll on the eco-minded business manager Erin. She was at odds with owner, CEO and sister Melissa, who was afraid that being environmentally aware would hurt the companies bottom line.

Needless to say that switching to eco-friendly packaging, replacing a Freon fridge with an eco-efficient model, and composting reduced the bakery’s ecological footprint from 183 acres to 175 acres saved the sisters $2,280 year.

So let this be your wake-up call. Your refrigerator is running and your bills are increasing. Take a clue from green TV and get into that appliance rebate line now.

Tune in next time to see what’s cropping up on green TV.

Image: MarkWSutton

The post I Want My Green TV: Our Fave ‘Save the Planet’ Shows appeared first on EcoSalon.