Oct. 15 was Blog Action Day and this year's theme was the Environment, an issue that is very important to me. The point of this whole Action Day was to post something on our blogs that was related to the environment, to raise awareness on the issues connected to it and also to come together as a community of dedicated bloggers to celebrate our environmental efforts.

Below is a summary of what I posted on my personal blog on Oct. 15th:

"This summer I wanted to really commit to the whole eco-blogging scene, and wanted to set up an account that I was going to use to post news and reviews about the environemnt, a space in which I could write about my monthly environemntal challenges, while providing resources for my readers. I was going to write it in Italian, because there isn't enough knowledge about active citizenship and the environment in that language, but then my busy summer ended and with school+work starting, I haven't been able to fulfill my dreams just yet.

I am not going to announce that my eco-blog will be up and running shortly (because, in fact, it will have to wait in line) but I have at least decided to try out some of the many things I have been flirting with for a long time and that affect me and my environment very closely.

For example:

- As a solution to my dislike of garbage, , I have now instated No Waste Month. I will compost even though my street is not elegible for composting and I am only allowed to waste up to two recylable items each week. The rest... will not be wasted (or I will try to!)

I am keeping a "Wasted so far" list on my fridge, complete with a left-hand column that asks "could this be avoided?"

- I have just signed up for a veggie delivery scheme with a local company (long over-due) and I lovelovelove the idea! Think about it local, organic vegetables that you pick and choose... without having to physically go in a store to buy! Sounds perfect, no?

- And, finally, I want to start my monthly challenges!
The first one is obviously the No Waste Month, and I am thinking of adding the following:
a. Learn how to make my household and body products from scratch (anything from shampoos to all purpose cleaners),
b. Learn to mend/knit clothes,
c. Find out more about raw food and how to preapre it,
d. various buy nothing month(s) etc.

- Also, I am waiting for my first hydro bill so I can switch to the local 100% clean energy provider and I am hoping to volunteer with some local environmental organizations soon.

- All this will be done in conjuction with: writiing my thesis (so learning more about eco theories, problems), applying to grad school for an Environment and Development Master (to keep on learning), keeping my energy consumption to a minimum, supporting local/organic/fair trade businesses and making everything from scratch (food-wise).

I firmly believe that buying green alternatives is ok when they are basic things, but the essential is to reduce consumption. It is really the only true, long-lasting, non-compromising environmental solution that we have... But I recognize that is isn't always easy! However, I am really very excited about all this. I can't wait to do, learn and experiment with all this!"

In retrospect, the day was a huge success, you can read more about here: www.blogactionday.com

It felt great adding my two cents to the conversation and feeling part of a larger, global community of bloggers who care about the environment and are getting involved on a personal/daily basis.

The No Waste Month did not go so well because I still haven't asked my neighbours to help me compost, but the experiment made me very conscious of what I throw out and I am now very careful about reusing, reducing and recycling.

My hydro bill finally came and I am happy to report that I have consumed the equivalent of just $1.30 of energy in a whole month. With that bill I was also able to switch to the local clean energy provider, so that's done! The veggies were delivered and tasted great, so I have now officially signed up to that program. As for the eco-blog, I think I will start one after all... but after my exams, of course.

So what are some of your challenges?