Posted by: Izz
8:46am

We got mail! This one's from Madi in Indiana. She says, "I use the 3 R's and I try to tell my family to, but they don't and I do it for them. What do I do????"

Posted by: Dex
8:48am

3 R's? Is that those guys in the tuxedos who sing opera?

Posted by: Izz
8:49am

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. We'd like to add a few to that list: Rethink, Discover, Imagine and Conserve. Others add Refuse too. That means we should try not to use something in the first place - just refuse it.

Posted by: Dex
8:50am

Madi didn't ask for MORE R's. And, you know, some of them aren't even R's on that list anyway. She wants help getting her family to join her in doing the three she's already got. What can she do? What does she need?

Posted by: Izz
8:51am

Goats.

Posted by: Dex
8:55am

Goats? To eat the grass so she doesn't need a lawnmower? Righteous.

Posted by: Izz
8:56am

No! G.O.A.T.S.

G is for Guilt. A little bit of reminding your family how much you love them and how much you know they love you and that you really need this planet to be safe and healthy for when you have kids of your own. Practice a sad face in the mirror. Big eyes, droopy mouth. Slight sniffle. (Also works for getting candy, extra thirty minutes before bedtime, and notes excusing you from gym. Beware: this is powerful mojo. Use sparingly.)

O is for One Step At A Time. Important changes often take time. Nudges here and there may be more effective than anything that seems like constant nagging.

A is for Ask Questions. Find out why they won't join you and see if you can persuade them once you know why.

T is for Take Matters Into Your Own Hands. This is one you need to do carefully. Don't go trying to convert their gas-guzzling station wagon to biofuels. But you could make sure there's always a supply of reusable bags handy for shopping trips. Or use one week's allowance to buy CFL light bulbs for your home.

S is one they might really understand. S is for Save Money. Buying less unnecessary stuff saves money. Using less water saves money. Turning off unneeded heat or light saves money. Planning routes to use less gas saves money.

Posted by: Dex
8:55am

Nice one, Izz. You work on that. I'll work on your dad to see if we can get a real goat. You know what he's like about his backyard.