My name is Mahsa, and I have (almost accidentally, I swear) become an environmentally friendly person.  Two weeks ago, Sogol and I went to a conference about sustainability, and I had a moment of clarity — I am one of those “green” people.  I blame this all on my husband, who feels as passionate about the planet as I feel about the meerkats on Animal Planet.  I also blame Brussels, for their environmentally conscious programs that make life just that much more fulfilling. 

I occasionally miss my cynical self – who used names like “granola”, “tree-huggers”, and avoided Ben & Jerry’s for their environmental ideological threatening posters and slogans.  Now, when I notice that they are uprooting these beautiful chestnut trees by my office to extend a tram line, I contemplate saying goodbye by actually hugging a tree.  I exclusively eat Ben & Jerry’s.  (if you are looking for it in Brussels, it available at the Deli Traiteur on Place Stephanie, GB and most movie rentals.)

Even before I attended the EBBF conference, I noticed the changes.  Some of them were accidental. I take shorter showers because we only have 9 minutes of hot water.  I air-dry my clothes because we don’t have a dryer.  I take public transport because I don’t have a car. 

At the conference, Sogol and I joined a session about being a consumer in the modern world.  We sat in a group with people from Swaziland, Congo, Greece, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg and Canada and examined our daily consumption.  The facilitator, a non-judgemental, open minded Norwegian, encouraged us to analyze the symbolic value, practical value and environmental consumption factors of everyday actions.  Hearing about how people from around the globe are trying to reduce their environmental footprint, I couldn’t help but be inspired.

And then I had my “ah-ha” moment — without realizing it, I have become significantly greener than I was in Seattle.  In a way, it is so easy in Brussels to be “green” that you don’t notice how it works.  But in other ways, I am making choices everyday that lower my environmental impact.  For example, our facilitator introduced us to a website that lists daily actions that can help you reduce your consumerist imprint.

• Eat according to nature.  Organic is harder to find in Brussels, but we now subscribe at our local market for one of those baskets to arrive every Tuesday with local, organic vegetables from nearby farms.  We grow our own mint, basil, and cilantro.  My one vice is that it is pomegranate season, and in Luxembourg they have pomegranates from Iran…which I just can’t give up.
• Share tools and equipment.  I now share all magazines and books with friends.  And I am a part of the Brussels English-speaking book swap, so I am reading old books instead of new ones.
• Eat vegetarian. The UN climate chief encouraged everyone to NOT eat meat once a week to curb global warming.  That one is easy — P & I have been trying to do that for a while, and now when I invite friends over, I’ll cook meatless meals
• Fly less.  Although I flew significantly less in 2008 than in 2007, I don’t know how much less I can do.  I think the symbolic value of this one is pretty high for me, but I’ll try to offset it with other things.
• Change to energy-saving light bulbs.  We have done this, but our place was a little dark, so some of them have changed back.
• Reduce thermostat.  Well, my dad liked a freezing cold house, and Pedram does too, but as long as I have my two blankets wrapped around me, I can live with a cooler house. 
• Drive less.  Public transport is not alot of fun, but I do take it often.  An alternative that I have warmed up to is taking our bikes to Place Luxembourg, and then taking the bus/train from there.
• Reduce waste.  Easy – we recycle 95% of everything we have.  We reuse grocery bags, and I even reuse my ziploc bags (seriously).

My 18 year old smug self is dying of laughter at my current self.  But I am proud.  And I think it is important to help each other make the transition. 

And that is how I came out of the green closet.  What is your story?