Profile of a Late Bloomer

Welcome to our first Green-E profile. The Green-E profiles are intended to give you an inside view of the people behind green movement in Connecticut. Learn which issues Green-E's are passionate about, what led them to where they are now, and what motivates them to get up every morning and do what they do...beyond paying the bills! If you're a Green-E and would like to have your profile included, Contact Us.

What is the name of your organization and what is its mission? The mission of CT Green Scene is to bring environmentally conscious or curious people from all corners of the state together by providing news, events, and education related to air quality, arts, business, citizen action, CO2 sequestration, ecology, energy, family, food, gardening, government, green building, house and home, investing and finance, low impact land development (LID), profiles, reduce-reuse-recycle, schools, tips to b-greener, transportation, urban planning, and volunteer opportunities.

What is your day-to-day role in the organization? Jack-of-all-trades. For me, CT Green Scene is a labor of love. I consider myself a late bloomer and it took me longer than most to find what I want to do with my life. My parents raised me to believe that satisfaction in life comes from making our corner of the world a better place, but for a long time I didn’t know how to do that. In fact, I wasn’t even sure which corner was mine! So now that I’ve found it, I suppose I have to work harder than most to make up for all the years I bummed around the beaches of Southeast Asia.

What prompted you to become involved? Was it a sudden shift in beliefs or have you always been eco-conscious? Both. I’ve always loved nature, but more as a place to have fun and get recharge than something to work to protect. It’s only been a few years since I’ve been aware of how my professional and personal actions negatively affect the natural world that I love so much.

I was in denial for a long time about the deteriorating condition of our planet. In the back of my mind I knew that landfills were exploding, water was becoming polluted, and the air seemed less clean than I remember during childhood, but I wasn’t ready to face the truth because it seemed too overwhelming. Not only did want to have to make personal lifestyle changes, but I wasn’t convinced my individual actions could make a difference. Now as a mother I feel driven to do what I can, no matter how small it may seem at the time.

What do you see as the most pressing environmental issue in Connecticut? Why? Boy, that’s a tough one! There are lots of environmental issues that need immediate action, which is why I believe denial and feeling impotent remain our most challenging hurdles as individuals and agencies. If we can come to terms with what’s going on while being connected to others who are taking steps toward a sustainable future, then we’ll be encouraged and inspired to make change. And once we start walking down that path, it’s amazing how many others pop up along the way. From there we can go on to hold other peoples hands and presto! we’re well on our way to a solution. It may sound too “touchy feely” for some, especially those in government and corporate arenas, but no matter what your goals are, denial or lack of environmental action today leads to the same gloomy place tomorrow. It's like gaining weight...the more you overeat, the harder dieting is going to be when you finally decide to lose it.

How do you personally hope to make a difference? Most of us have heard of Gandhi’s famous quote, “Be the Change You Wish to See in the World,” but I also want to be the fire under people’s behinds that wakes them up, gets them reaching out and talking--because when that happens, wonderful things are possible.

What would you say to someone who wants to get involved in an environmental cause but isn’t sure how? You don't have to be a die-hard hippie to make a difference! There are many shades of green and if you only make one lifestyle change, or go to one event you're doing something to feel good about! To find out what's going on, subscribe to RSS feed, or check our events section regularly.

Do you offer internships, or volunteer or job opportunities? We sure do! We’re looking for writers, publicists, marketeers, and the technically gifted (which I am not!) We’re also happy to answer questions about locating a mentor, an organization, or how to start your own.