INDEPENDENCE FROM...TRYING TO BE LIKE ED BEGLEY

- Colleen Bell, Contributing Writer

I once read that Ed Begley’s weekly garbage output was small enough to fit inside the glove compartment of his car. I also heard that this uber-environmentalist’s house is solar-powered, that he composts his table scrapes, harvests vegetables in his drought tolerant garden, uses only compact fluorescent light bulbs, and has a bicycle hooked up to a battery so he can pedal to generate energy for his toaster. Ed has been trying to save our planet since long before people started wearing the proud badge of environmentalism the same way they might wear a new Prada suit or carry a coveted Birkin bag. Ed is the real deal.

    So, how do you separate the hypocrites from the heroes, the phonies from the philanthropists? You start by forgiving a little and accepting that becoming the real deal is a process. For example, it is possible to care about the environment and yet order “An Inconvenient Truth” from Amazon with next-day air shipping. It is also possible to care about the environment but choose to drive an extra couple of miles each morning (in your Prius) to pick up a Starbucks macchiato. Of course, it would be best to have the book sent by ground transport. It would be best to brew your coffee at home. I assume this is what Ed would do.

     I consider myself an active participant in the protection of our planet, yet some might say I am nestled somewhere between hypocrite and hero. Despite helping to implement a mercury reduction plan for the United States, lobbying in Washington for stronger emission- controls and carefully monitoring my family’s carbon footprint, I am well aware that when it comes to completely eliminating habits that are not copasetic with protecting the environment, there is room for improvement. And, although I would like to say that I am in hot pursuit of environmental Puritanism, the truth is, I don’t see myself composting anytime soon. As for giving up my frivolous yearly trip to Europe- requiring a combined 22 hours of commercial air travel- I probably won’t do it. But, what I will do is continue driving a hybrid, using only post consumer recycled paper products, limit water usage, and buy energy efficient appliances.  And most importantly, I will attempt each week to make a change in behavior that makes me just a little bit greener.   

     Caring for the planet is not an all- or- nothing calling.  Some of us can still make our toast the old-fashioned way.