Got a burning or murky question that needs a bright-green answer? Sierra magazine’s new advice columnist, Ms. Green (a.k.a. Jessian Choy), will tackle any puzzle, no matter how big or small—whether it’s something global like clean transportation or the value of a plant-based diet, or something granular but no less weighty, like a plastic-free way to brush your teeth. You can submit yours here and peruse her previous responses here.
Illustration by Loris Lora.
Hey Mr. Green,
Would you consider renaming your column? Surely you rely on female ingenuity sometimes. I suspect that such an evolution in the magazine would go over very well with women organizers and activists.
—Terry in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Funny you should ask!
As many readers know, “Mr. Green” (a.k.a. Bob Schildgen) has answered your questions big and small for 15 years. I know I’ve learned so much from reading his column. As Sierra editors were planning for this special issue, they thought that maybe it was time to go in a different direction. “Ask Mr. Green” is now officially “Ask Ms. Green.” Thanks to Bob, I have big, hemp, fair-trade shoes to fill.
By day, I co-create laws and contracts and co-manage SF Approved, a website I helped create for the San Francisco Department of the Environment that lists green products and services. By night, I get my hands dirty greening homes, events and organizations and give talks on affordable housing and transportation. Late at night, I petition dictionary publishers to be less sexist. And I answer your questions.
While all good things must come to an end, that makes room for new good things to be created. I am honored to be your Ms. Green—an Asian woman searching for unicorn solutions that can help us build a truly equitable, green world.
Talk nerdy to me at sc.org/ask-ms-green.
This article originally appeared in the November/December 2019 edition of Sierra and on the Sierra website.
