Eco-Krista

Associate editor Krista Nightengale has begun her three-day adventure of attempting to live carbon neutral, for a story in our special section Eco People. Look for it in October.

She’s agreed to provide a running account of her new lifestyle for Overheardians. Here is her first installment:

I haven’t done anything too exciting yet, mainly just took a shorter shower, unplugged the toaster, microwave, and lamps before I left, and I tried to not turn on the lights at my desk (that lasted a whole 30 minutes, then I broke down).

I really think it’s all about small things…recycling, not printing as much paper, bringing a cup to work instead of throwing away the little plastic D cups each day. Mainly, it’s a lifestyle, and I’m not used to it yet. I have to constantly remind myself to recycle that piece of paper or to put my to-do list on the computer instead of paper. I’m learning.

I’m going to a community garden tonight to pick dinner. Also, I may be a little late to work tomorrow as I’m going to ride the bus (apparently, it’ll take an hour to get here).

Krista lives up in the Village apartments just off 75. It normally takes her 15 minutes to drive down here to Oak Lawn.