There are many reasons to become more eco-conscious. As we approach Earth Day (and beyond), it’s important to take time to reflect on what your individual impact is on the environment, and to think about why it’s important to get involved in the green movement. EcoKate, a member of the Eco Etsy Team, is our first contributor for the Earth Tones series, with some insight on why Etsians have chosen to go green.
You can’t just talk about ways to green the earth without knowing why we should want it to be clean and healthy to begin with. Well, you could, but then you’d probably be missing the point…
When I ask Etsy sellers why they’re green, I find that different people care about our environment for many different reasons, ranging from the logical, to the emotional, and everything in between!
Etsy seller Yin of Yinsouciant, originally from Singapore but now living in New Jersey with her husband, expressed her green roots to me. Singapore’s culture is oriented towards cleanliness and reuse, so it’s a no-brainer for Yin to continue living in that manner in the States, and it certainly shows in her creations, such as her Pandora Purse, shown at right.
Visualizations of the environmental impacts we have on the planet are another strong way of communicating a need for consumer change. Sarah of Sanguinaria points to works from the photographer Chris Jordan, exclaiming that "[he] makes the most concise and powerful life size images of our ecological impact in terms of the vast numbers of things we, as a society, waste. I think it is very important to get this information out into as much of the world as possible."
This photo from Chris Jordan’s "Intolerable Beauty" series is a great example of how well his pictures can communicate the waste generated by humans, perhaps even more effectively than words ever could.
Words speak volumes for some people, as is the case with one Etsy seller, Ruth of RSSDesignsinFiber. She chose this quote from Aldo Leopold’s "Land Ethic” to make a point:
"To sum up: a system of conservation based solely on economic self-interest is hopelessly lopsided. It tends to ignore, and thus eventually to eliminate, many elements in the land community that lack commercial value, but that are (as far as we know) essential to its healthy functioning. It assumes falsely, I think, that economic parts of the biotic clock will function without the uneconomic parts."
Ruth relates Leopold’s message back to Etsy, saying that, "[as] makers of hand-made goods in a ‘Do It Yourself’ environment, we are those private owners at Etsy — we need to take responsibility for our whole community including the planet, in how we conduct our lives and our businesses."
[Sustainable wallet by rikrak]
For Etsy sellers like Kristal of rikrak and Kae of kae1crafts, reusing items and being less wasteful has been a way of life since birth, it seems. They both came from families who taught, by example, the importance of reusing and repurposing everyday items, and it has certainly rubbed off on them, as is reflected in their shops. Kae has also expressed the simple fact that economically, reusing saves you money! And what could be more enticing a reason to go green than that?
While all of these individuals were inspired in different ways to care about our environment, they all share the ability to recognize that the earth needs our assistance, and that they as individuals can help in their own ways to bring about a greater change.
Further Resources:
- More of Chris Jordan’s works can be found at ChrisJordan.com
- You can learn more about Aldo Leopold and his writings by visiting AldoLeopold.org
- Find out more about Earth Day by visiting ww2.earthday.net
- You can learn more about the Trashion and Eco Etsy street teams by visiting EtsyTrashion.blogspot.com and EcoEtsy.com
EcoKate (ecokate.etsy.com) is a self-taught knitter/crocheter living in central New Jersey. When she’s not crafting she’s busy finishing up a degree in Environmental Policies, Institutions and Behaviors, blogging (http://www.knitstorm.com), and planning an Eco-friendly wedding (http://www.njgreenwedding.com) for August! Her concern for the environment stems from her knowledge of environmental issues, and the simple sentiment that "Once you know, you can’t not know."
What has inspired you to care for and protect our precious environment? Share your stories in the comments!
23 comments
Sign in to add your ownprojectfelt says:
Love this article! And the image of the wasted cell phones is just so sad. Great job Kate!
4 years ago
chakrapennywhistle says:
Love this article. Thank you. I think that we can all benefit from examples set by older members of our family. Past experiences turn into learned ways of life. My most important example of living green was my grandpa. "Green" wasn't even an eco term when he was living. He actually had to re-use in order to survive. Then, that turned into re-using and recycling as a way of living comfortably. He bought me a 10-speed bike with money that he received from collecting cans. He would stop traffic to pick up one can:) He was a really neat fella!
4 years ago
fairytalefibers says:
Wonderful article Kate! My story is similar to Kristal and Kae's reusing and recycling has been my family ethic since birth. I agree as private shop owners on Etsy we have a unique ability for significant impact in the way business is conducted. I love that ya'll are making steps for a greener life!
4 years ago
kae1supplies says:
Kate, You have expressed some many important reasons for all of us to live a greener lifestyle. Growing up on a farm you automatically try to reuse everything possible. I've tried to carry that over into my life and my businesses as Kae1Crafts and Kae1Supplies. Etsy, I love the fact that you have started the Earth Tones section. Kae
4 years ago
raghousenternational says:
Great article. I work on reusing and recycling everyday. When I purchase from etsy sellers I use the packages that my purchase come in over again if they stay in good condition. I do knitting and crocheting and keep all scrap yarn to make interesting designs. I am constantly working on greenning my life and my business each and everyday. Thanks for the article!
4 years ago
rikrak says:
what a wonderful series - and such an insightful article, kate! thanks for leading the way with your fabulous, eco-forward work, craftivism & ideas. and thanks for capturing such important virtues in your wonderful article. k. @ rikrak
4 years ago
BlackStarBeads says:
great article! another reason why vintage is a perfect fit for etsy~
4 years ago
itsiebitsies says:
Yeay for re-use! And I absolutely love the reference to Aldo Leopold (Sand County Almanac is a wonderful book which has a special home on my nightstand). I, like many young mothers, am learning to appreciate re-using and recycling for a whole new reason - to give them a beautiful planet to give their children. And do not forget to Bring Your Own Bag to the grocery (even if you get funny looks) -- it makes such a difference!
4 years ago
DinnerTimeChimes says:
Great article Kate!
4 years ago
mykonos says:
lovely list!!
4 years ago
ASecondChance says:
Great article! The car photo is unbelievable. I'm so excited about this series.
4 years ago
peggradyart says:
This is going to be a fabulous series...thank you so much for doing it! Selections are inspiring...especially love Tresijas's bracelet...too cool!
4 years ago
hans1247 says:
Hooray! I made a couple bags out of tee shirts myself...a big feat for me. Now I just have to remember to use them. I have started asking merchants to consider asking "Do you have your own bag?" before "paper or plastic?"
4 years ago
BearHands says:
Etsy becomes more amazing, organized, and informative then I ever thought it would be with every minute I spend here readying great articles and shopping tons of different shops! I never new there was so much going on here. Just last week I was in a shop called ZJayne and this shop had an EcoEsty sign in it. I loved the idea of supporting and incouraging and ecofriendlyetsy. With all the questions I had this ZJayne was great at helping me become more knowledgable about what EcoEsty means and how I could become a part of it. Thank you ZJayne again and everyone else who supports this!!!
4 years ago
CourtneyWatson says:
I am BEYOND excited about this series! Thank you for all your work (ahead of time!).
4 years ago
shandke says:
GREAT article! I cannot wait to see more information coming our way from an eco friendly perspective.
4 years ago
shopgoodgrace says:
Super article! Thrilled about the series.
4 years ago
zJayne says:
Great article! I so appreciate that we are learning more and more how to recycle and upcycle things that we encounter daily. It's all about choice. We have a choice. I so appreciate when we understand that each of us may be at different levels of conserving BUT they all make a difference. One step at a time. Thanks for putting this together! z~
4 years ago
Tresijas says:
Yes! This is wonderful. Recycling is easy AND economical. You can't beat that combination :)
4 years ago
bobnstitch says:
Love the red bracelet from Tresijas!!
4 years ago
bayousalvage says:
great article and wonderful earth friendly items featured way to go yall!
4 years ago
wearwolf says:
Recycling can be fun and colorful and stylish and classy! It's a whole different way of looking at things and I embrace it!
4 years ago
Bruklars says:
"Recycling" is to be applauded in all the shapes, sizes and venues in which it's found, from direct re-use to re-tasking to deconstruction and re-assemblage - but that's only a reference to one's medium. Ultimately, though, you have doubled the outcome from the same activity which yields added value to your craft and art. Kudos! "Green" is simply smart!
2 years ago