Donate your jewelry.

I am prone to clutter. [ Admitting it is the first step in recovery. :) ] It can be so hard for me to part with many of the items I have but being able to recycle them certainly make me feel a lot better about getting rid of them. I've written about purchasing environmentally responsible jewelry, but it wasn't until a conversation with Nicole Lorimer that it occurred to me that I could donate jewelry too! Thanks Nicole! Check out GreenKarat.com to donate the jewelry you no longer wear.

Remember these steps to reduce the clutter in your home and the waste in our world:

* Reduce - Do you really need it?
* Reuse - Can you use it again before getting rid of it?
* Recycle - How can this be used differently or reprocessed for use again?
* Restore - How can I replace the resource I consumed?

The order matters. Have fun decluttering!

"Pick battles big enough to matter, small enough to win." — Jonathan Kozol

Collect and use grey water.

Georgia is in the midst of an historic drought and almost all outdoor water use has been banned. Given these restrictions, there is new interest in the collection and use of grey water. Grey (or gray) water is the wastewater resulting from washing dishes, doing laundry, bathing, and the like. Grey water comprises 50-80% of residential wastewater. So why let all that water go to waste? Here are a few ways to collect grey water:

* Shower with a bucket to collect grey water.
* Save the water used to boil vegetables, pasta, eggs and the like.
* Keep buckets in the kitchen and bathroom to collect water before it goes down the sink drain.
* Collect the dripping water from your air conditioning unit.
* Install collection equipment to harvest the water.

Clearly grey water is not for drinking (except for potlikker), but there many other great ways to use grey water:

* Water your grass and landscaping.
* Flush your toilet - you certainly don't need potable water for that!
* Hydrate your compost pile.
* Water your house plants.
* Treat your greywater and use it to nourish your garden

Clean potable water is a valuable resource. Use it wisely, whether or not there's a drought.

"The most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed." - Steve Bantu Biko

Give a laptop, get a laptop: One Laptop per Child.

This just in from Neha Yellurkar:

Hey Karama,

I'm an avid reader of So What Can I Do? I know you are always looking for ways to enact social change so I think you and your readers will be as excited about this as I was. OLPC, One Laptop Per Child, a non profit organization based in Cambridge, MA, set out a few years ago to design and build affordable and easy to use computers for children all over the world. So today they are announcing that between Nov. 12 and Nov. 26, consumers can participate in the Give 1, Get 1 program. Every time anyone from the USA or Canada orders an OLPC xo laptop during this two-week period, another laptop will be donated to a child in a developing country. The total cost for both computers is $400, a cost that allows a person here to have a hand in providing a valuable resource and a very fun educational tool for a deserving child. Added bonus: Any order placed during this period is assured to reach by Christmas so the laptops you get and give will be great gifts!

The Give 1, Get 1 program was announced this morning on Good Morning America so for more information you can check out the ABC News!

For more details you can take a peek at the official release on BusinessWire or the XO giving site at: XOgiving.org.

Thanks Neha! I had heard about One Laptop Per Child on 60 Minutes but didn't know about the Give 1, Get 1 program. What a neat idea! If you agree:

* Visit XOgiving.org.
* Order your computer between November 12 and November 26, 2007. UPDATE: Extended to December 31, 2007. Order now!
* Get your snazzy new laptop computer.
* Give a child a computer and access to the information and opportunities on the internet.
* Consider donating your computer to a children's school or educational nonprofit or service agency in your community.

What a way to help close the digital divide, in the US and around the world!

“Computing is not about computers any more. It is about living.” - Nicholas Negroponte

Sankofa: Learn from the past to build the future.

Sankofa is an Akan symbol that represents the concept: "Remember the past to build for the future." For me, Sankofa is particularly relevant this month because this is the 50th Anniversary of the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School, my alma mater. I had such a good experience at Central but it would not have been possible without the work and sacrifice of many brave and dedicated people, including the Little Rock Nine:

* Minnijean Brown
* Elizabeth Eckford
* Ernest Green
* Thelma Mothershed Wair
* Melba Pattillo Beals
* Carlotta Walls LaNier
* Terrence Roberts
* Jefferson Thomas
* Gloria Cecelia Ray

There are many others, of course, including Daisy Gatson Bates who served as organizer for the integration effort. To all of those who worked and continue to work to ensure that all children have access to good public education, THANK YOU. I will do my best to give to others what you all have so generously given to me.

"In recognizing the humanity of our fellow beings, we pay ourselves the highest tribute." - Thurgood Marshall

Choose brown.

I've never been a coffee drinker so I don't pay much attention to the coffee-related accoutrements that Kwadjo has around the kitchen. But I did notice the unbleached coffee filters he recently bought. The filters are brown because they haven't been bleached with toxic and polluting chlorine products. There are unbleached versions of many paper products, in a range of shades from brown to white. Choose them whenever you can!

"God has a brown voice, as soft and full as beer." - Anne Sexton, American Poet and Writer, 1928-1974.

Give blood, wherever you are.

I just got back from my bimonthly blood donation which means it's time for my regular post on organ and tissue donation. This time, I'd like to focus on blood donation opportunities around the world. According to the Red Cross, 39 countries use only non-paid, voluntary blood donors. Here's how to donate in some of them:

* Canada: Visit the Canadian Blood Services at bloodservices.ca or call 1-888-2 DONATE (1 888 236-6283) to search for a donation center near you, join the marrow donor list, and learn more about blood, platelet, plasma and marrow donations. You can also make financial gifts online. The site is available in English and French.

* Thailand: The Red Cross in Thailand operates numerous blood donation centers across the country. Visit redcross.or.th or call 0-2252-6116, 0-2252-1637, or 0-2252-4106-9 Ext 113, 157 to find a donation center near you. The site is available in English and Thai.

* South Africa: The National Blood Service provides a safe blood supply across the country. Visit sanbs.org.za or call 0800 11 9031 to learn about eligibility and and find a donation center.

* United Kingdom: Visit the National Blood Service at blood.co.uk or call 0845 7 711 711 (to learn more about blood, organ, cord blood, and platelet donation. You can search or call to set up a donation appointment and contribute to a safe blood supply.

Of course there are many other places around the world where you can safely donate (and receive!) blood and blood products. I wish I spoke languages other than English so that I could post information from many other countries. Feel free to list others blood donation information in the comments. And if you're 25 or under consider joining International Club 25 which promotes regular blood donations and "positive, healthy lifestyles".

So wherever you are, consider donating blood or supporting blood donation centers in your area. It's a great way to make yourself useful and to make a difference in the lives of many people.

"I imagine one of the reasons people cling to their hates so stubbornly is because they sense, once hate is gone, they will be forced to deal with pain." – James Baldwin

Change the margins.

I just heard about this on NPR and wanted to spread the word. Ever wonder why the margins on most word processing programs are set to 1.25 inches? There's no good reason. It's completely arbitrary and a waste of paper. For years I've changed the margins for printed documents to .75 inches. Now I know I'm not alone. Enter Tamara Krinsky and Change the Margins.

Change the Margins is a website and movement dedicated to reducing paper waste by reducing the margins used when printing. It's a simple concept really, but it can make a big difference. Consider:

* Penn State University research showed that the University could save 72 acres of forest and over $120,000/year by reducing the default margin settings across campus.

* "Each person in an office on average uses 2.5 pounds of paper each week. In the U.S., a ton equals 2000 pounds, so that means every 2 years and 70 days, each person in an office on average uses a ton of paper."

* "Americans discard 4 million tons of office paper every year -- enough to build a 12 foot high wall of paper from New York to California."

* Paper production is one of the top five water consuming industries.

Change the Margins is working to eliminate some of this waste. Visit changethemargins.com to begin convincing your organization to reduce the margins, sign a petition to Microsoft asking them to reduce the default margins, and much more. So before you print your next document, try the following:

--> Send an email instead. Do you really need a hard copy or will a digital version do?
--> Use the back of preprinted paper for drafts.
--> Change the margins to .75 inches. This leaves plenty of room for hole punchers, staples, etc. Don't forget to reduce the top and bottom margins too.
--> Single space or 1.5 space rather than double space the document.
--> Choose a smaller font. Times is much smaller than Courier or Bookman.
--> Reduce the font size. Do you really need 12 point or will 10 or 11 point suffice?

You'll save paper and save money. It's a small step, but it's a start. Today change the margins, tomorrow change the world! Happy printing . . .

“I beg for criticism. You can’t learn anything from a compliment.” – Kanye West

Get the Good Stuff.

The folks at the Worldwatch Institute are all about social justice and environmental sustainability, and all the ways those concepts are connected. They, along with nine partner organizations put together a guide to help us all make responsible purchasing choices. You can download Good Stuff? A Behind-the-Scenes Guide to the Things We Buy for free online. What a service!

Just check out www.worldwatch.org/pubs/goodstuff/ to get the skinny on the social and environmental impacts of the production, use and disposal of 25 common items, from chocolate to CDs. You may be surprised at what you learn. For example, once you know how much energy regular light bulbs waste, you may want to switch to CFLs. And when you find out what goes into chocolate production, fair trade chocolate sounds a whole lot sweeter.

So visit Worldwatch and download your free guide to today. Then read it and use it to make responsible purchasing decisions that will not only improve your life but will make a positive difference in our world.

"Love makes your soul crawl out from its hiding place." - Zora Neale Hurston

Go green, the easy way.

Laziness was a character flaw that was not tolerated when I was a child, but that doesn't keep me from liking the concept behind the The Lazy Environmentalist. The Lazy Environmentalist is a national talk radio show hosted by Josh Dorfman, founder of Vivavi eco-friendly furniture & home furnishings. Every day, Josh offers "easy, stylish and super convenient ways to green your lifestyle. No guilt-trips. Never any sacrifice." Here's how to check it out:

* Listen Monday through Friday at 11 am and 11 pm on Lime Radio (Sirius channel 114).
* Visit the website: www.lazyenvironmentalist.com.
* Read the book of the same name.
* Check the blog out on the website.

You'll find some great ideas to lower your environmental footprint. I love the toilet that collects grey water (from the washing machine, etc.) and reuses it for flushing. Why do we need drinkable water to flush the toilet? Check out Josh's show and site for more great ideas.

Remember though, our environmental concerns are large, so though the Josh's idea collection is great, we all will have to make some sacrifices. And the sooner the better. Click "environment" below for more ideas.

Have fun!

"Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you." - Frank Lloyd Wright

Go to the charity mall.

It's been over two years since I suggested readers shop with a purpose. Consider patronizing these 'charity malls' which donate a portion of their profits to a great cause, perhaps even one you choose! Here are just a few of the malls from which you can choose:

* Giveness describes itself as "A Social Network for Philanthropy." Shop Amazon, EBay and other retailers to raise money for your favorite organization. Or use some of the many other features.

* Benevolink works with hundreds of online businesses which contribute a percentage of every dollar you spend to the nonprofit organizations of your choice.

* Giveline has over 1 million products from which you can choose. And every purchase results in a donation to your favorite charity.

* IGive.com works with almost 600 online businesses and donates up to 27% of the purchase price to your favorite worthy cause.

* Buy for Charity allows you to shop at over 350 stores. A portion of your purchase price goes to the charity you choose.

* MyCause.com donates up to 12% of your purchase price to your favorite organization.

And for those in the UK:

* rectifi charity shop donates 20% of your purchase price to charity. Choose from over 400 UK shops. They also make donations for Yahoo web searches done from the site. Thanks Jonny!

Remember that for the shopper, the contributions are not tax-deductible. That's why the businesses participate. Since they make the donation, it's tax deductible for them. But since you're going to shop anyway, that probably doesn't matter. If you run a non-profit, considering registering your organization. That way, shoppers can more easily support your work. In each case, almost any charity qualifies and it's free for them to join. And often schools and colleges qualify too. So think of your favorites and start shopping! In the words of Benevolink, "I Shop. Therefore I Give."

"A hurtful act is the transference to others of the degradation which we bear in ourselves." - Simone Weil

Give blood now, and again in 56 days.

I just came from donating blood. The local newspaper has had several articles on the shrinking blood supply - Atlanta was down to less than one day of reserves. That often happens in the summer when people are on vacation. But more folks on the road means more people are likely have accidents and need blood. So I and lots of other folks gathered at the local Red Cross Donor Center to give a pint and perhaps save 3 lives. It didn't take long - about an hour - and it's a great way to serve the community. Especially since only 5% of people who are eligible to donate actually do.

If you've never given blood before or if it's been more than 56 days since your last donation, why not make an appointment to donate? Just call 1-800 -GIVE LIFE (448-3543) or visit www.givelife.org to find a blood drive near you or make an appointment at your local donor center. Alternatively, call 1-888-USBLOOD (872-5663) or visit www.americasblood.org to make an appointment at a community blood bank.

And if you can't donate blood, consider donating time or money to support these efforts. You never know when you or someone you love might need blood. Someone will be there for you. Won't you be there for someone else? And don't forget to consider all the ways you can give life.

“There is no revenge so complete as forgiveness.” - Josh Billings, American Humorist, 1818-1885

Free your mind.

Happy Juneteenth! My favorite holiday, Juneteenth, celebrates the 19th of June, 1965, when enslaved black folks in Arkansas and Texas finally found out about the Emancipation Proclamation, even though the document had theoretically taken effect more than two years earlier on January 1, 1863. I wrote before about my great-great-granddaddy, Griffin Henry Belk, and how he responded to the news of his freedom. His actions - immediately walking off the plantation, freeing the mule, and going to search for his parents - suggest he was, in fact, already free. He needed no official Proclamation to free his mind. Neither do we. We too can live our lives striving to be free.

* Free yourself from fear.
* Free yourself from guilt.
* Free yourself from anger.
* Free yourself from worry.
* Free yourself from shame.
* Free yourself from blame.
* Free yourself from jealousy.
* Free yourself from insecurity.
* Free yourself from frustration.
* Free yourself from oppression.
* Free yourself from judgmentalism.
* Free yourself from other people's expectations.
* Free yourself from other people's issues and baggage.

And if you need some help, check out these resources on

* Faith and spiritual health
* Mental health
* Addiction
* Love

On this Juneteenth, free your mind. Who knows what wonderful things you'll be able to accomplish! Happy Juneteenth!

"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." - Johann Wolfgang van Goethe
"Free your mind, and the rest will follow." - En Vogue, paraphrasing George Clinton of Funkadelic

Write an ethical will.

Last weekend, Kwadjo at I watched Emmanuel's Gift. It's a documentary about a Ghanaian athlete, Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah. He was born with a severely deformed right leg, a challenge in most every society. Disabled people in Ghana (and many other places) are generally expected to beg, but Emmanuel's mother expected better for him. And on her deathbed she talked to her teenage son about her hopes and expectations for his life. The conversation had a profound impact on Emmanuel's life; he called it her 'gift' to him.

Emmanuel Yeboah is now a leading advocate for disabled people in Ghana. His organization offers scholarships for disabled children and stipends for physically challenged athletes. His work also led to the passing of the Persons with Disability Bill in Parliament on June 23, 2006. Great work!

The film reminded me of a recent show I hear on NPR about ethical wills. These are documents that are either separate from or integrated with traditional wills that express your fundamental beliefs and allow those beliefs to be shared with the people who love and care for you. According to ethicalwill.com, ethical wills often center on the following themes:

* Love
* Great life lessons
* Asking and giving forgiveness
* Core personal values and beliefs
* Core spiritual values and beliefs
* Hopes, dreams, blessings, and expectations for future generations

For help creating your ethical will, contact your attorney and peruse these books:

* The Wealth of Your Life by Susan B. Turnbull
* Ethical Wills: Putting Your Values on Paper by Barry Baines

These are also important themes to talk about while you're alive. Preparing for the end of life can be difficult and uncomfortable, but there are many resources to make the process easier. Learn more about

* Organ donation
* Living will preparation
* Burial alternatives
* Body donation

And don't forget to check out Emmanuel's Gift (ideally with someone who can supplement the translation from Twi - thanks Kwadjo!). It is an inspirational film that will encourage you to make the most of your life. Then you'll definitely have something to share in your ethical will.

"The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it's indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it's indifference." - Elie Wiesel

Give soles for souls.

If you're like me, you have lots of shoes in your closet that you never wear. They're too good to trow away, but, for whatever reason, they never seem to make on your feet. Here's the perfect solution: Donate your new or gently worn shoes to Soles4Souls. This nonprofit organization collects shoes to send to people who need them all over the world. There are several ways you can donate:

* Donate your shoes. They should be new or gently worn so that other can use them. Send them the shoes you only wore once, the ones that are too tight, or too big.
* Buy shoes for donation. These are specifically designed to be very affordable (from $2 to $17 per pair).
* Donate time to assist in shoe drives, warehouse work, relief trips, and more.
* Donate money by check or credit card. Funds are used to support the work of Soles 4 Souls, and donations are tax-deductible.

Call Soles 4 Souls at 1 866 521-SHOE to get information on planning your organizations shoe drive. This is a great way for congregations, companies, schools and civic groups to work together. And if you have well worn athletic shoes you can no longer use, send them to Nike Reuse-a-Shoe.

"Shoes are made to walk in. I think they're really neat. Have you ever seen shoes of tin? They really hurt your feet!" - Karama Neal, age 7

Reduce, renew, offset. (A guide to carbon offsets)

So you're concerned about climate change. You have every reason to be. You do your part by composting. Perhaps you've changed all the light bulbs in your house to compact florescent bulbs. You're car is a hybrid or maybe it runs on biodiesel, vegetable oil, or E85. Even better, you take transit or walk. You recycle plastics and ink cartridgesand everything you can think of. You are living your life in the most environmentally responsible way you know but you still want to do more.

On average, every American generates about 15,000 pounds of carbon dioxide each year from personal transportation, home energy use and from the energy used to produce all of the products and services we use and consume. Want to know much you generate? Use a carbon use calculator to make an estimate. When you are doing all you can to reduce carbon and greenhouse gas emissions, consider buying renewable energy credits to offset the rest. Here's how to get started:

* Read The Consumers' Guide to Retail Carbon Offset Providers (a PDF file).

* Review this cost and performance comparison of carbon offset providers.

* Purchase your offsets. Consider one of these providers:
--> NativeEnergy is Native American-majority owned and offers "traditional renewable energy credits and offsets from operating new projects."
--> Green Tags offets support solar and wind power projects across North America.
--> The Climate Trust is a nonprofit offset provider.
--> TerraPass uses offsets to fund wind, biomass, and energy efficiency projects
--> Atmosfair focuses on offetting air travel.
--> Co2 Balance will calculate your carbon footprint, advise you how to reduce it to the minimum and then help you offset the rest.

Carbon offsets often take the form of renewable energy projects, energy efficiency programs and reforestation efforts. It's important to remember that your offset purchase must mean that something new happens (for example, a new windmill is constructed) that would not have happened without your purchase. Also, the action that you're buying must actually actually offset your carbon production. Here are a few organizations that certify carbon offsets:

* CDM Gold Standard
* Green-e
* Chicago Climate Exchange
* Environmental Resources Trust
* Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Management

Carbon offsets aren't the only solution; we'll all have to make lifestyle changes because we can't buy ourselves out of the climate crises. But offsets can help. Remember, reduce your carbon emissions through decreased usage and increased energy efficiency, renew by choosing renewable energy sources like wind energy or biodiesel, and for the rest, offset. So check out renewable energy certificates. They make great gifts, for yourself, for others, for all of us.

"The greatest pleasure I have known, is to do a good action by stealth, and to have it found out by accident." - Charles Lamb