Honestly, I can’t remember a Change the World Wednesday challenge that had me so worked up!

This week Small Footprints asked us to consider ways in which we could have ZERO impact; I mean, going green is so last season, right?

But my mind had a field day tying itself up in knots.

I could think of plenty of ways to REDUCE our impact, but not a single way to have zero impact.

In the end I thought the only way to achieve it was to strap myself on the back of Felix Baumgartner, fly up into space and spontaneously combust as I re-entered. This way there would be no toxic burial and no carbon emissions for my cremation.

Meanwhile back here on planet earth I figured I could take more showers instead of baths – but I’m still using resources.

Then I thought I’d use more washable cloths than disposables, but I still have to wash them and get hold of them which includes using resources.

How about eating the food from the freezer instead of buying new? I’m still using electricity and gas and I’ve already used fuel and clocked up a few air miles getting the food to my home in the first place.

I could ditch those last few remaining incandescents and CFLs and install solar powered LEDs instead, but think about the materials used for THAT!

So then I figured I’d scout around the garden for stuff to eat; however autumn is not the best time – I could have had a handful of berries and ok, no impact food but I still need to use the toilet afterwards, right – that means paper and water. And I’d probably need to stoke the fire up to keep warm after that tiny meal…

So I cooked my lunch and was pondering about the whole issue when I reached for a dish from the cupboard.

I stopped in my tracks and figured I’d just found my personal contribution to zero impact…

I ate out of the saucepan and licked it clean.

Hmmmm. Don’t try this at home I guess…