Go Shorty, It's Your Earth Day...

Hello Dolls!

Today is Earth Day (Forty and Fabulous) but by now I should not be telling you anything you don't already know. And actually (you should already know this too) April is Earth Month, but like Black History Month - why acknowledge it for just a month when it affects your entire life?

Black is the New Green is a lifestyle and we need to make some lasting changes. If I know you - and I'm pretty sure I do - you are still being hard-headed and asking what being green can do for you. Well we have established that you can be madsexycool like Diva Zero once you decide to bthenewgreen. Even better than that, you can save cash, be healthier, and save natural resources.

If you reduce your use of paper, electricity and gasoline of course you are going to save money - duh! But when you start thinking that recycling is a pain in the ass, think about this - there is only so much room in a landfill. When landfills get full of your trash, new ones have to be built and guess who pays for that? You, the taxpayer. And not even Barack can help us get around that one. (Yeah, I call him Barack. We go way back - that's how we roll...)

Not convinced? Still think recycling is a pain in the ass? Ok then, precycle. It's easy - don't buy things you don't need, don't buy things that can't be used for a long time and don't buy things that come in a lot of packaging. And while we're at it, don't buy things you can't afford. That ought to take care of most of the problem right there. So now you've helped the environment and your wallet. Bonus: If the bank doesn't have to send you those pesky overdraft notices, you'll save even more paper from being wasted!

If you know me (and a lucky few actually do), you know I am no leaf-eating, tree-hugging health nut. Not that there is anything wrong with that. But being healthy and living green doesn't mean you have to grow your own food and live in a tree. All of the noxious elements you allow into your home - and subsequently into your body - via toxic cleaning supplies, pesticides on (and in) your food, and chemicals in your beauty products, all affect your overall health. And I don't know about y'all, but Diva Zero needs her strength for kicking ass.

Now let's talk about saving natural resources. Why should we do that? Do it for the kids! The concept of legacy is central to the African American experience. Our history is rife with conflict, tragedy and, most importantly, triumph. From enduring slavery to overcoming it, from discrimination, degradation and segregation to taking our rightful, equal place in society, our ancestors have always fought so that we all could have a better life. People died so that you could be free, get an education, and vote. All I'm saying is that the least you can do is reduce your carbon footprint so that those who come after you can enjoy the Earth too. Do it to keep your Black card.

There are plenty more incentives (and trust me dolls, we will eventually get to all of them) but the bottom line is this: If you are at all fond of breathing freely and having access to clean water, you need to bthenewgreen.

Speaking of what green can do for you, go to http://green.yahoo.com/blog/greenpicks/278/earth-day-deals.html for freebies and coupons - most deals are good through the end of the month. Get your free stuff and then celebrate by committing to bthenewgreen.

Happy Earth Day, people.

Go 'head and party,
Diva Zero
Catch my chic.