Who’s In My Organic Space? Ed Begley, Jr.!

 Organically blessed I am this week to have Ed Begley, Jr. in my space sharing some tips we can all use to be better friends of the earth!

Inspired by the works of his Academy Award-winning father, Begley became an actor. He first came to audiences’ attention for his portrayal of Dr. Victor Ehrlich on the long-running hit television series, ST. ELSEWHERE for which he received six Emmy nominations. Since then Begley has moved easily between feature, television and theatre projects as well as being an example to us all on how to live a more earth friendly life. His father inspired him with more than just acting as you will see as you read this post. This conscious actor has many talents to offer and I am excited to share this space with him!

Ed what fueled your passion for green living?

Growing up in smoggy L.A.  After twenty years of living in that horrible choking smog, I decided to take action and buy an electric car, recycle, and do many other things that I could afford to make a difference.  This was 1970, so it was also the first Earth Day.  My father had recently passed away and I also wanted to follow his advice, which was “don’t tell people what you are going to do, show them by doing it”.  So for my father, for the first Earth Day and due to the horrible choking smog, I got started on this path.

In your opinion what are two things that if all Americans did would have the biggest impact on our country?

Ride a bike, when weather and fitness permit.  Take public transportation, if it’s available near them.  These two things both fall under the master heading of ‘get out of your car’.  If everyone could do this a few days a week or a few days a month, it would have a big impact.

You have a lot of green gadgets, but what is your favorite?

My bicycle.  Always has been.  It’s still the single most efficient form of ground transportation known to man (a sailboat is more efficient of course).  What other machine can get you dozens of miles down the road on nothing but an ear of corn and a bowl of rice?  I know that many people associate me with solar panels, wind turbines, gray water systems, solar hot water et al – but the bike is still my all time favorite gadget.

So Ed, if you could invent one eco friendly item that does not yet exist, what would it be?

Low cost solar electric and solar thermal for every household in America.

One of the questions many of my organic earth friendly friends wonder about is these big hybrid SUV’s on the market today. Do you think the new hybrid big trucks and/or big engine hybrid cars on the market really make a difference to our planet?

Yes.  There are many tools in the toolbox to protect the environment. Those are two good ones. They may not be game changers, but we need everything right now.

Ed, thank you for sharing your time with my Organic Space. Your passion radiates through all that you do and we appreciate your earth friendly life!

We can learn so much from Ed and have a good time while doing it. Check out his new series “Living With Ed” on Planet Green, www.livingwithed.net.

Ed and his Co-Star real life wife, Rachelle Carson live and play in their eco friendly home, it’s hilarious and educational!

Always Organically Yours,
Renay Matthews 

Renay Matthews is a nutritionist practicing at www.elitewellnesspath.com and will be posting a blog on eco friendly products by www.kidskonserve.com in a few weeks!