Less Is More

Gina Diamond says that in order to adopt lasting lifestyle changes, one must tackle one change at a time. "I set one realistic goal and once that choice becomes habit, I move onto the next," she says. Gina knows a thing or two about setting and reaching goals. As an eco-lifestyle coach, she advises clients on how to transform the way they live into a greener one.

Gina has made several changes over the past five years, prompted by an awareness of how her choices affect the environment. A vegetarian, she produces a growing share of her own food, supplementing whenever possible with local produce.

Eating vegetarian is no longer just about compassion for animals. It may become a necessity, given the urgency of the tone with which the United Nations  addresses the expanding livestock sector.

WHEN THE EARTH HAS A COW

A late 2006 report (Livestock's Long Shadow) by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization pegged the livestock industry as one of the most significant contributors to greenhouse gases and environmental degradation "at every scale from local to global. ...(I)t should be a major policy focus when dealing with problems of land degradation, climate change and air pollution, water shortage and water pollution and loss of diversity."

Livestock uses a third of the world's arable land for feed production, is a leading factor of deforestation, and accounts for 9% of human-related CO2 emissions. The report goes on to say that the sector produces a "much larger share of even more harmful greenhouse gases. It generates 65% of human-related nitrous oxide, which has 296 times the Global Warming Potential of CO2, most of which comes form manure.

The irony is that the world is turning increasingly carnivorous due to rising prosperity when it really cannot afford to.

LESS IS MORE; THE CLOSER THE BETTER

As a consumer, Gina follows the "Less is More" philosophy. She tends to buy items with little or no packaging and from local or eco-friendly businesses. She and her family consume less of just about everything -- oil, heat, water and clothing; she also drives less and flies less than she used to.

Her minimalist style of consumerism is matched only by her maximalist approach in areas where it counts.

Gina's daughter Lily spends a lot of time outdoors in nature -- and this is where the similarities may end with many other mothers, because Gina allows her daughter to get down and dirty, walking around barefoot. "Research shows that helping kids fall in love with nature early increases the chances that they will want to protect it when they get older," she said.

PUTTING HER MONEY WHERE HER MOUTH IS

Gina takes her commitment toward the Earth a step further than most. She said she is in the process of switching her retirement funds to those that support renewable energies.

But even with all the significant changes she has made thus far, Gina says helping others make a green transformation is "the best thing I have done to date.  I provide education, support, and motivation encouraging others to reap the benefits of living a green life. I love helping my clients make changes that support their values and fit their individual lifestyles."

Gina is the Eco-Lifestyle Coach of Green Diamond Consulting. Visit her website at: www.helpmegogreen.org.