A little bit better.
Welcome to love notes, dear one 💌
First, here's whats happening this month in the Britta GreenViolet ecosystem...
✨ My new Substack: Frequency First, Strategy Second. I’m currently working on an article that I’m excited to share, so stay tuned!
✨ Inspired Living Giveaway: I’m participating in a rad giveaway for women, by women. Need some fresh inspiration this winter? Look no further than this treasure trove of goodies.
Onward!
Welcome to your January edition of The Goods, Britta.
This first edition of the new year doesn't exactly have an intention, but the clear through-line concerns the earth, and taking better care of Mama. Maybe it's because he-who-must-not-be-named just pulled us from the Paris Climate Agreement and used the phrase "drill, baby, drill" in his opening speech... or maybe it's because I am continuing to feel a pressing need to prioritize sustainability in the choices I make with my dollars... or maybe, quite simply, because we need to do better.
So beloved, here are three items for your consideration, this month and in the year ahead.
🤖 Getting informed: AI + Natural Resources
I was absolutely horrified to hear about the insane amount of fresh water used by each and every AI search upon reading this Substack article by Courtey Maum. I posted some screenshots on IG, and someone commented that those stats are a bit misleading, as the water is reused in most cases. This same person did also comment that AI searches consume 10x more power than a typical Google search. Clearly, there's a lot to learn about AI, and what the actual costs are on our planetary resources.
Where to begin? I’m starting with these articles (1 / 2 / 3). And here’s how to turn off the automatically generated AI Google search result.
Disclaimer: there’s a lot circulating on this topic that I’m only beginning to wade through, but I still believe it’s worth sharing. Find more trust-worth sources of info on this topic? Please send them my way.
🧻 Hallelujah: Toiletries NOT packaged in plastic
Holy moly, why did it take so long for the toiletries + cleaning industry to start producing things not packaged in plastic? I’m celebrating the windfall of items you can now find in cardboard or other reusable/recyclable materials. I recorded this short IG Reel a couple years ago on the topic, and things are only improving.
Some of my current faves: Deodorant, toothpaste in cardboard + glass, dry shampoo, face wash, soap bars, floss, dishwasher soap, TP,
Disclaimer: I acknowledge that I’ve provided links here, which presupposes you might order some of these things, which means they will require carbon, gas and very likely plastic just to get to you. Whenever possible, please check your local natural grocery stores for home, bath and beauty products in sustainable packaging before you order online.
🌳 The Serviceberry, by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Ben and I got copies of this book for many of our beloveds this xmas. It's all about the gift economy, modeled so beautifully by none other than our home planet. It's a quick read or a quick listen (I love Kimmerer's narration on the audiobook), and I suspect you'll find it as nourishing and inspiring as I did!
To a year of sustainability—in our homes, and in our choices.
Love,