Real Words

Green Writing is a weekly column here on Real Words which provides information about all aspects of being eco-friendly as a writer for the web. But how do you know what steps are right to take for your own green writing if you don’t know what kind of green writer you are?

Here’s a look at the 5 basic levels of green writing that people go through on their path to becoming an environmentally-kind green writer. You’ll also find tips on how to get to the next level so you can be a little greener tomorrow than you were today.

1. Writer With a Hint of Green. This is the person who is just starting out in writing and/or green activity; he or she may be more active in one than the other. As a rule, this individual is aware that there can be a link between writing and being green but hasn’t gotten active in the practice of greening their writing. This level is the easiest to move up from because there are so many places that you can go from here. For example, you can start recycling your inkjet cartridges instead of throwing them out. You can add green links to your website. Most importantly, you just need to start educating yourself about the specific things that you can do to be a green writer. Knowledge is power after all.
2. Getting Greener. This is the writer who has moved up from the basic level and begun implementing a few green habits in his or her work. He or she has a better grasp on what the basics of being a green writer entails. Not all of the changes have been put in place yet but some basic rituals - such as printing double-sided and single-spaced on paper that then gets recycled - are starting to become a reality of this writer’s working world.
3. Middle-of-the-Green Writer. This is the most common type of green writer that we’re going to see as the writing world begins to realize the importance of going green. This writer is either a part-time or full-time writer who makes a conscious effort to be green as often as possible without making significant lifestyle changes. For example, the writer may have a choice between taking two assignments and will choose the one with the greener company but wouldn’t turn down the non-green company if it was the only choice available. The key to moving on from this level is to make a list of the green goals that you have as a writer and start checking them off one by one.
4. Green Ribbon Writer. You know that you’ve moved on from being a middle-of-the-green writer when you start getting some recognition for your green writing work. Perhaps you start noticing that you’re getting a lot of links to your blog from green sources. Or maybe you are regularly successful on green social bookmarking sites. Or perhaps you notice that more than fifty percent of your clients are concerned about green things. In other words, you’re at this level of green writing when most of the writing you do could be called green and others are starting to notice that. To move on from this level, you’ll want to aim to make 100% of your work green in one way or another.
5. Green Writing Machine. This is the writer who goes above-and-beyond when it comes to making her writing green. She only writes for companies that practice green habits. He has a green blog or has been published in environmental magazines. She uses public transportation or a hybrid car to get to all of her writing-related appointments. In other words, this person is both an active (usually full-time) writer and someone who lives a green lifestyle through and through. Of course, there are always more changes that can be made so the key to moving on from here is just to stay on top of changes in green news and technology.

There is no right or wrong way to being a green writer. Every little step that you take to practice eco-friendly actions in your web writing is a step towards improving the earth. However, there are different levels of effort that writers put in to be green. Challenge yourself to rise to the next level in the green writing ladder.

Check out these green writers for inspiration: Crafty Green Poet, Root for Green, Victoria Everman

Question of the Day: What level of green writer are you and are you content staying at that level?

[Tags] green writing, green, writing, eco-friendly, environment, responsibility [/Tags]