We spoke in class how it seems that humanity doesn't seem to want to act upon the evidence given us about taking care of the earth. The true problems are lost in the semantics of the global warming debate. But should it really matter whether or not we are threatened with destroying the world's ability to provide for us? We were given a task at creation to care for our home. That obviously hasn't worked out too well thus far. Now that green is posh, the Christian community--which should have been at the forefront of this movement many years ago--has an opportunity to share a message of good stewardship with a secular world.

I gave up buying styrofoam several years ago, and have substituted it with reusable mugs and plates. On a short-term basis, styrofoam has a smaller carbon footprint than a ceramic mug because it is easier to produce. However, if you reuse a mug for several years, it eventually evens out the carbon produced. I drink at least one cup of coffee or tea every day, and if I used a new styrofoam cup every time, that would amount to several thousand cups over the course of one year. I don't replace my mugs every day. I have had my current mugs for over a year, and plan on keeping them for much longer.

Another option for ceramic mugs is to make your own. There are many local ceramic shops where you can decorate your own mugs and have them fired in a smaller (and therefore more energy-efficient) kiln. You don't even have to throw the mugs on a wheel. These shops usually use plaster molds with a viscous clay called slip. All greenware (unfired pottery) is ground up and mixed with water to recycle the slip until it is all used up. Besides being 'green'--no pun intended--making your own pottery is more fun.