bpcaul’s Recent Comments

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  I have four children and 12 (yikes!) grandchildren, all of whom I love dearly. I've really felt guilty about my contribution to overpopulation for the last few years until a friend recently told me that the number of children you have is not as important as how you raise them. Since 2 of my children are what I'd call avid environmentalists, one is fairly good and one not so good, I guess odds-wise, I haven't done too bad. My grandchildren, on the other hand, I think are much more into sustainability and environmentalism--as much as children can be when they aren't in control of their households. So I guess it's a mixed message. When I had my 4 kids back in the 60s and early 70s, I was young and not that aware of the importance of limiting families. If I had it to do over again--well, it's hard to say. Maybe I would do a better job of making ALL of them radical environmentalists. Because that is what it is going to take to save our world.

  On Ask Umbra on big families posted 2 months, 1 week ago 48 Responses

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  Composting

  In Bloomington, IN, there is no city-wide composting effort, though we are working on it. As a member of the Earthcare Witness Committee at Bloomington Friends (Quaker) meeting, we recently purchased a large compost bin, where we now put all our food waste--minus meat and dairy--from pot lucks, coffee hours, etc., adding yard waste as well, of which we have a lot. We also encourage anyone living in apartments or otherwise unable of unwilling to compost on their own, to bring their compostables and add to our bin, as adding such a small amount each Sunday will take a long time to have much material to compost and will also help members to get rid of their food waste in a sustainable manner. You can put it in a plastic bag in the fridge or freezer during the week to help discourage those pesky little flying critters and then bring it in each Sunday. Several members who live in apartments (we are a college town) plan to create a vegetable garden on our meetinghouse grounds in the spring, thus we will have a use for our compost, will dispose of waste in a good manner and have less grass to cut! A winning enterprise in every way!On Umbra on food-waste collection posted 1 year ago 2 Responses

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  Water conservation

  At my house I play a game with myself to see just how little water I can use. After washing dishes by hand once a day (there's just 2 of us, so doable), I use both the wash and rinse water to water my vegetable garden, and if it's been raining, which it's been doing in abundance this May here in Bloomington, IN, I store it in containers in my garage until we have a couple of days without rain. I can't imagine wasting water on grass. It's green when it rains a lot, not so green when it doesn't--I could care less. Planting natives is the best way to not water. I also collect water in a bucket when I shower, which also goes to my veggie patch. The less water that goes down the drain, the less that needs to be treated. Any kind of energy conservation can be fun, especially if you get kids involved. I never think of it as deprivation; I think of it as helping this planet that I love.On Umbra on water conservation posted 1 year, 6 months ago 10 Responses

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  CSAs

  This will be my fifth year, I think, of belonging to our local CSA; I was lucky enough to get in on their first year and have loved it ever since. For someone to hates to shop--even at our food co-op and farmers market (well, I don't hate them entirely)--this is perfect for me. I don't have to decide which foods to buy or what dishes to make. I just take what is offered and go from there. I love the wide selection of vegetables they grow, the more unusual and exotic, the better. The tastes are fresh and wonderful, allowing me to introduce new produce to my grandchildren. I've gotten to know the farm families who grow our food, and it especially warms my heart to know I'm helping young, enthusiastic local farmers make a living. Did I mention organic, or did you, Umbra? This is another good part--no pesticides ruining our environment and health. What's not to love about CSAs, with "community" being the best part.On Umbra on joining a CSA posted 1 year, 8 months ago 5 Responses

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  Environmental groups donations

  Giving to local nonprofits is always best as it keeps the money in your community. Check out sustainability groups or local growers groups or local green, affordable building groups or simple-living groups. I believe these types of nonprofit organizations have the most personal and immediate effect on helping to change behaviors and outcomes in communities.On Umbra on green donations posted 1 year, 10 months ago 21 Responses