I want to help the environment, but it's not always clear how to do so from KTM.

I suppose I'm fairly worried about the environment, but there just doesn't seem like there is a lot i can do from Kathmandu. I use energy-saving lights and we recently bought this little scooter that gets great gas mileage (if only gas were consistently available in KTM).

We have solar hot water, which is very common in KTM simply because it's cheaper that gas or electric heating, but we also have on-demand gas heating for the shower. Interesting to note is that these days the average Nepali in Kathmandu often has both solar heated water and electric solar panels on his roof or on the ledge outside the house. So Kathmandu is definitely going green, but not by choice. The government shuts off power to all parts of Kathmandu in a 16 hour a day load shedding schedule, leaving residents with only 8 hours of electricity a day. We broke down and bought a back up battery and power inverter. Not as environmentally friendly, but more dependable.

I also try not to litter, but it seems like a totally futile pursuit in such a garbage filled part of the world. I once asked a Khenpo (monk Professor), "Paltrul Rinpoche said sexual misconduct results in being reborn or having to live in very dirty places filled with excrement, while Dakpo Rinpoche said it results in being reborn in a very dusty place. Since Kathmandu is VERY dusty and you can see cow, dog, and human shit EVERYWHERE, does that mean we have all committed sexual misconduct in past lives?" The khenpo replied that Kathmandu was only dirty because of "economics" and was therefore exempt from the above statements. He went on to explain what a Holy city Kathmandu was, but i'm not sure i see this distinction of "economics." Dust is dust, and shit is shit.

I suppose using the outdoors as a toilet could be seen as a boon to the environment, tho, as it is a type of fertilizer. Just be careful not to step in it.