Being Green Ain’t Easy—But It’s Important! – Kristen von Hoffmann

 I first met Janie Katz-Christy at the D:2:E (Down to Earth) Exposition at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston last March, 2008. My company, Greenfox Schools, environmental consulting and education for schools, had a booth and she stopped by with her family to learn more about us.

I was happy to meet Janie because I have had the pleasure of watching the Green Streets movement take hold and yield positive change among families and students, as I am both the founder of Greenfox Schools and a teacher at The Atrium School in Watertown, MA.

Every Friday on Walk/Ride Days at the Atrium School, students wear green to assembly and have a chance to raise their hand and be recognized if they commuted to school on foot, bike, via carpool or public transportation, or in a hybrid car. The excitement, dedication, and awareness that the Green Streets movement evoked was powerful.

In my own company, the Greenfox5 ^TM represents five areas of environmental optimization that are applicable to schools, homes, and businesses. The Greenfox5 ^TMincludes:

-Energy
-Waste Disposal
-Food
-Products
-Greenspace

The impact rendered by Green Streets reduces individuals’ carbon footprint considerably, placing the organization under the Greenfox5 ^TM categories of Energy and Greenspace.

Janie and I recently sat down for coffee and, as a resident of Cambridge, I expressed how much I enjoy walking everywhere. She asked me how I usually commute to work, whether meeting for Greenfox, driving to schools, or teaching, and I responded that I use my car. Janie expressed her dismay at this, especially as I am an environmentalist, and she gave me a visual image of how much carbon I waste when I drive. While I have done this kind of research before, I had to admit she was right, and that her visual example—literally showing me with her hands how much carbon is released into the air per gallon—was striking. There were certainly times when I could have traded in the car for the bus, a bike, or a long walk.

Keeping this in mind, I am trying to make my life more sustainable in yet another way, and have realized that it is much easier said than done. I am looking forward to taking a bike-ride with Janie, and to continue learning from others new ways of going green that I can teach to others, as well.

Kristen von Hoffmann is the founder and president of Greenfox Schools, and writes a monthly blog, as well.