Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW)

Welcome to Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW)! If this is your first visit, please click HERE for information and a complete list of all the challenges we've taken on so far.

There's a lot of great information in this post and I encourage you to read through it ... however, if you don't have the time right now, you might find the following quick links helpful:

• The #CTWW Gang
• The Honor Society
• My Final Thoughts on Our Last Challenge
• This Week's Challenge

It's been an exciting couple of weeks. Last week our guest challenger asked us to digitize our correspondence. One of the areas that I thought about was digitizing receipts. Some stores are now giving patrons the option of either having them printed out or emailed. Two weeks ago we started action journals, making lists of the Eco activites which we hope to accomplish this year. Writing things down helps us remember our goals and there is a real sense of accomplishment when we can mark a task as completed.

The Honor Society are those people who help us spread the "green" word by writing an article about our challenges and/or leaving pertinent comments. Here's what they had to say:

Argentum Vulgaris started his Action Journal ... he has a couple of items on the list, one of which he's already accomplished. WhooHoo! You can read about that HERE. For week two, Argentum gave us an update on his organizing activities ... he has now tidied up his shelves, as well as the junk drawer, and they look nice!! He also talks about our digitizing challenge ... you might be surprised to learn what he had to say about this one. Find out in this POST.

Sarah continued organizing and sorting her home and WOW ... you'll be amazed at the before and after pictures (which you'll find in this ARTICLE). Sarah brings up a very good point ... some items in our homes are seasonal and once the season is over, they can be stored away. This leaves us more room for the items we're currently using. In End of January round up, Sarah lists the tasks she planning to accomplish in 2013 and gives readers an update on her progress. Nicely done, Sarah! Regarding our digitizing challenge, she had this to say, "Ooh I don't post anything unless it is something that truely can't go in an email (books, yarn etc). I just wish companies would stop sending me there junk, not just from the post man we get a lot of pizza/takeaway delivery leaflets- despite a notice on the door saying I do not want them!"

Andi-Roo accepted our action journal challenge. Here's what she had to say, "It's so weird that you urge us to start an action journal. Just yesterday my hubz and I talked about making a list of changes we want to make around the house. Some are just minimizing / organizing / rearranging things that make more sense for our limited living space. Others are ways to get more energy efficient. And still others are ways to produce less of a dark footprint on the planet. Your challenge is quite timely for my household!" And, on our digitizing challenge, she had this to say, "All our bills are digital now, except for our water bill, which is local --- so local that the office is on the other side of our back yard, lolz! They are the only people to whom we write physical checks, aside from the pizza company a couple times a month. Our trash and recycle bins are located midway between our mailbox and our door, so the only mail that enters our domicile is "important" stuff that comes from the school, personal mail, packages, and stuff like that. No junk comes in; it goes straight into the recycle bin since I pass it on the way to the door. We are too economically challenged to afford things from various companies; the few times we ever shop online it all comes from Amazon, so we have never been added to any catalog or flyer mailing lists. Our mail box is fairly empty, now that I think about it! NOT that I'm complaining, haha!" Wow ... nicely done, Andi-Roo! You may think that your efforts are modest but ... I think they're HUGE!

Ann stopped in ... so nice to see you, Ann! She very graciously posted our banner in this POST. By the way, she's posted several articles about Chinese New Year and the color red ... check it out ... very interesting!

I'd like to welcome Aly to our group. She says she'll take part in our challenges and spread the word. Yay! Thanks so much, Aly!

Randy is showing the world his action plan ... he's set up a PAGE on his blog to keep track of his goals. It will be a dynamic list with items disappearing when they are complete and new items being added as necessary. The items will become subjects of further posts so that we can all read about his efforts. In fact, he's already written about how he's tackling one of the tasks ... you can read about it HERE.

Alicia accepted the action journal challenge and shared this, "This is an excellent challenge. We had already started a list but haven't listed very many things yet. Mostly our list consists of several new ways to keep pests out of our garden without using any pesticides. It was a real challenge this past year so we are hoping that these new ways will be a real success. Also on this list is teaching our grandson how to recycle. We taught him about composting this past Summer and he loved it.Every time they come to visit he wants to help me take things to the compost pile. I have already set up 3 boxes one for paper one for plastic and one for cardboard to help teach him how easy it is to recycle. This post has made me want to get into gear and add more to our Eco list!" Wow, Alicia ... I love the goal of teaching your grandson to recycle!! I hope you'll update on how that goes! Alicia also took on the digitizing challenge. Here are her thoughts on that, " I used to think that sending e-cards was impersonal but when I read how many trees it takes to make those greeting cards that we send it made me like the e-cards just fine. It is the thought that counts anyway!Most people like opening their e-mail and finding a nice card. The few people that I know that don't use computers I send them cards on recycled paper . I love getting coupons in my e-mail from places that I shop. I use to have to print them out but now can just take my phone in and they scan the bar code on the coupon that way. Grocery coupons are the same way. If you use a lot of coupons and do it this way you will not only save money but an abundance of paper each year." Great tip on the coupons, Alicia!!

Charlie (aka Tina) stopped in. Have you been to her site lately? If not, you need to head over ... she's got a whole page of CHALLENGES. So, if our weekly challenges aren't enough for you ... visit Charlie and "kick it up a notch". She also posted about action journals ... you'll find that HERE.

In Green goals for 2013 Mrs. Green talks about the goals she's already met and the tasks she plans to accomplish this year. Both are seriously impressive lists ... and I have to agree with Alicia when she says, "... you really are such a wonderful Eco inspiration!!" I totally agree! Mrs. Green took on the digitizing challenge, as well. Reducing paper usage and cutting junk mail talks about the steps she's taken and, because she's all about accountability, she kept track of mail in and out for several days. Take a look! Thanks, Mrs. Green!

EcoGrrl weighed in on the digitizing challenge. Here's what she had to say, " Only thing I put in the mail are cards and letters as I refuse to send "e-cards" on special occasions as I think they are lazy :) Know what bothers me? The USPS sells your address to junk mailers when you do a formal change of address, and city & state government sell your address to junk mailers when you apply for a business license, so you start getting all that crap again after so much effort to eliminate junk mail!" Thanks, EcoGrrl ... I didn't know about that.

Katie said this about junk mail, "When I checked the mail the other day, there were 7 pieces of junk mail. I'm not sure where they came from. Last year, I removed myself from certain mailings, but they still keep coming....and they're multiplying! :)" Great point, Katie ... getting our names on the "do not mail" list is an ongoing process. Most of the lists expire so it's important to check back occasionally and sign up ... again.

Lady JC accepted the digitizing challenge. Here are her thoughts, " Yes! I'll accept the challenge! Years ago I put my household on several 'do not mail' lists so that my address couldn't be added to junk mail lists. Unfortunately, if you order something from a company they automatically add you to their catalog list. I try to be diligent and contact them to request removal as soon as I receive anything or before. Right now I have two catalog co's I must contact and I still have one bill that comes through the mail. Time tp make that one electronic! :). Does anyone know of any new 'do not mail' sites where we could sign up? I do, however send cards like EcoGrrl for special occasions. I try to make sure they're made from recycled materials (post consumer waste, paper from paper or other)." In case anyone missed it, I offered some suggestions ... you can find them HERE. Thanks, JC!

Mauro joined us and shared this, " Like EcoGrrl mentioned, junk mail is always a problem. This challenge is easy to do for me as I digitize almost everything I get so I can archive it easier." Good point, Mauro ... digitizing does make archiving easier. Nice!

CelloMom offer us some great tips: "Whenever you order something online, be mindful to click the "Do not send mail" option. It is always there somewhere. If not, you just call or Email them to ask that they take you off their mailing list. They always comply: it's not in their interest to annoy you. A few forward-looking companies like LL Bean give you the option of receiving no catalogs, all catalogs, or 4 catalogs a year. As for flyers for local grocery stores and such, I'm afraid they contract with USPS to deliver those, and your mailman is obligated to stuff them in your mailbox. Perhaps the thing to do is to tell your grocery store that you will still love them and shop with them even without the flyers." Thanks, CelloMom ... excellent tips!

Our Twitter friends joined the conversations ... here's what they had to say:

From @givetreegifts
- We eliminated R "junk drawer" & found homes for everything. Now we have a useable drawer in kitchen :)
- Keeping The Clutter Away - Foundation For Well Being: http://foundationforwellbeing.org/clutteraway.htm
- Pro Organizer Tips: What NOT To Do When Decluttering Your Home: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/what-not-to-do_1-168836
- What's Your Clutter Style - Peter Walsh Declutter Tips: http://www.oprah.com/home/Whats-Your-Clutter-Style-Peter-Walsh-Declutter-Tips
- How to Declutter Your Home: http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/declutter-tips-47070206#slide-1
- Unclutterer: Daily tips on how to organize your home and office: http://unclutterer.com/
- Unclutter: Donna Smallin Kuper "The One Minute Organizer": http://www.unclutter.com/
- This year we're once again looking at improving our green spaces.The challenge is to maintain & also find time to improve
- As always, this year we'll be taking a closer look at the foods we eat - where they come from - how they're produced
- Before buying new, I'll be checking out options to borrow something, rent it, or purchase it used.
- Since we're looking at improving green spaces, I'll be checking out free options with local ads.You can get free sod, soil, plants...

From @gwened02
- Waste less food Save more money #CTWW resolutions
- Not bothering with valentines cards this year

From @anitaadamsnc
- Greetings! I like the journal idea! Check this out: http://www.amazon.com/The-Green-Journal-Personal-Eco-Friendly/dp/0980028809#_

From @pinkladyapril
- As much as I know meal planning works & saves us money. I STILL hate coming up with the ideas & doing the shopping list

From @laalicia
- Photo of the day: Reuse paper as cd cases: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152447334575461&set=a.218383445460.285003.18843095460&type=1&theater

From @rulesofgreen
- Sent a package in a recycled box this week. We also recieve no ads in the mail since we put the no ads sign up.

From @plus2point4
- I'm darning socks.Actual, proper darning with a wooden mushroom
- Back to darning socks this morning.I'll no longer need to wear my 10 year old's

The #CTWW Gang are those folks who share our challenges on twitter using the hashtag #CTWW. If you're a Twitter member, I highly recommend following them ... they have a lot of great things to say. Let's meet them:

@earthyurban	@mombloggerplr	@laurel_standley
@crazedkitchen	@crazykids6	@mcmillendc
@intricateknot1	@allnaturalkatie	@rckweddings
@peopletowels	@givetreegifts	@anktangle
@kiboomu	@momgamerwriter	@biggreenpen
@groovygreenlivi	@89linz	@plus2point4
@theriverwanders	@laalicia	@clubcontent
@chewyleecious	@gwened02	@groovygrapevine
@anitaadamsnc	@beatepdx	@timsimms
@rulesofgreen	@jadekerrion	@jaemacjustsayin
@0xtw	@lorcadamon	@smallbits
@whopaysthepiper	@damyantig	@bstoneblog
@ithoughtiknewma	@wheeliesmom	@howcrazy
@a_kiasi	@bylittlenea	@amotherlife
@treesgroup	@lady_bren	@littlegreenblog
@spilldmilkshake	@maylindstrom	@theworld4realz

My Final Thoughts:

Living a green life requires an arsenal of tools to help us along our journey. An action plan is one such tool. Not only does it help us think about the changes we need to make, it offers us a degree of personal accountability. Other tools have come about because of changes in our world ... the Internet has made it possible for us to communicate in remarkable, Eco-friendly ways. Not all tools will work for everyone ... but isn't it fabulous that there are so many ways to achieve a green life.

Thanks, everyone! If you wrote an article, I have Stumbled, Tweeted, Facebooked and posted it on Google +. You can help spread the "green" word by using the share feature at the bottom of this post.

This Week's Challenge:

One of my GOALS for 2013 is to increase the impact of our challenges by applying a bit of political pressure. This challenge is about FRACKING, a dangerous method of extracting oil and natural gas from shale rock.

Please note: I believe that signing petitions and/or contacting our public officials is a private matter so, for any political pressure challenges we take on, I won't be doing a commentary the following week. I am happy to include any posts you write in our re-cap as well as any comments, tweets, etc. but I won't be expressing my thoughts about them ... I'll simply list them for others to read. Sound good? Here you go ...

This week, sign NRDC's letter to President Obama asking him to protect us from dangerous fracking. You'll find it HERE. This letter is appropriate for everyone and can be signed by people worldwide. However, if fracking takes place in your country and you'd rather contact your officials, the following information may help:

Fracking by Country
Fracking in the UK
Fracking in Canada
Fracking in Denmark
Fracking in Ireland

Or ...

If you'd rather not sign an online letter/petition, please contact your local officials about fracking and let them know how you feel. If fracking isn't an issue in your area, consider contacting your officials regarding an issue which concerns you about the environment.

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As always ...

WE'RE CHANGING THE WORLD ... ONE CHALLENGE AT A TIME!