Actor and activist, Ed Begley, Jr. is as green as they come. Known for his roles on St. Elsewhere and Best in Show the green guru has a reality show on Planet Green called Living With Ed.
If you catch an episode, expect to see the benefits and challenges that come with riding a stationary bike to toast your bread and cooking with an outdoor solar oven.
We caught up with Ed this week and chatted about his green lifestyle.
TakePart: What are some of the things you do to stay carbon neutral and do you have any advice for people just starting to live an environmentally-conscious life?
Ed: What I started with in 1970 was very simple stuff and that's what I encourage everyone to try today. Get some energy efficient light bulbs, energy-saving thermostat, weather stripping, and bike ride when weather and fitness permit.
Take public transportation if it's available near you. Do all that cheap and easy stuff. You don't run up Mount Everest. You get to base camp, get acclimated and then do what you can.
Today, perfect example, I had to get to Hollywood. I didn't even ride in my electric car which is charged in the sun. Why cause the traffic? I took the subway into Hollywood for this event I had. Most days of the year, I can ride my bike around so I don't have to belong to a gym. I make a lot of my electricity at home, I grow a lot of my food on site and I heat my water with the sun. So many of the things I've done for the environment all benefit me because I can retire. Why can I retire? Because I made millions of dollars that are sitting in the bank because I was a leading man? No, none of that is true. I was a working actor, a supporting actor and I made a certain amount of money but what I did with that money is important. I invested in green technology. I can retire now because I don't need a lot of money. My monthly bills are so low I can retire on my Screen Actors Guild pension and never work again because of the green choices I made.
TP: When did you first get inspired to change your life?
Ed: 1970. The first Earth Day. I lived in the San Fernando Valley of California for 20 years and spent two decades in that horrible choking smog so I was ready. I wanted to do something. I bought an electric car and started recycling and composting. I did everything I could and that was 41 years ago.
TP: Is there a book you can recommend for readers wanting some green tips?
Ed: I'm going to be self-serving since you asked. Ed Begley, Jr.'s Guide to Sustainable Living is a pretty good book on ways you can cut down on your expenses and protect the environment.
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