The Unspoken Global Warming Resolution: Short Hair
We all know that small changes can have big impacts.
Carbon offsets, hybrid cars, rechargeable batteries, organic food, natural cosmetics, recycled paper.
Isn’t something missing from our frequently discussed eco-conscious options?
How about cutting your damn hair!
Think of all the resources that go into maintaining long hair: water, products with questionable ingredients, electricity (for hair appliances and frequent towel laundering), money, and most importantly - time.
You could save on all of these things by simply cutting your hair shorter. Most men are known for having short hair, so it is the women of the world who need to wake up and chop it off. Remember the 1950s? Some of the most popular women of that era had hair above their shoulders. Sophistication, authority, beauty - short hair says it all.
Long hair is often a personified characteristic of youth. A recent study from University of Pecs in Hungary proves that long-time tradition is changing. “Women with longer hair seem healthy, intelligent, and mature, while women with short hair are seen as more youthful, honest, caring, and emotional,”says Liz Somes in Psychology Today’s January/February 2008 issue.
From a logical perspective, it is easy to see why short hair equals youth. Long hair takes years to grow. Short hair is worn by babies worldwide. Ba-da bing, ba-da boom. Just about every woman has had one of those nightmare haircuts that you just can’t fix, but fear to go short. Long hair used to be seen as what makes a woman feminine. Well times have changed!
After having shoulder-length or longer hair for over 10 years, I buzzed it all off to one-inch long in December 2007. Why? It was time for a change.While it took me weeks to get used to my new look, I instantly found many benefits to having short hair: saving water, using less shampoo and conditioner, no need for styling products or tools - all of this lead to saving time, money, and vital planetary resources. In addition, I also found myself gaining confidence at a rapid speed. No longer was I hiding behind my hair or constantly worrying about how it looks (curly haired folks know what I mean).
Most people don’t like to be told what to do. I’m bucking the system. Cut your hair! How short? Above shoulder length. Don’t let fear or vanity stop you. There is an attractive short hair cut for every face.
Save time, save money, save the planet, and grow in ways you’ve never imagined - cut your hair short!
July 7th, 2008 at 9:57 am
Love the post Victoria! I cut my long hair off 4 months ago. It was a little hard to get used to, but I love it short because of all the benefits you listed.
July 7th, 2008 at 11:21 am
I lost my hair recently due to chemo so your post made me smile. My “haircut” must be really helping global warming.
July 7th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Victoria, I don’t think you’ve done your research! It is perfectly possible to have healthy, beautiful long hair while being environmentally friendly at the same time. In fact, I’d say it’s almost a requirement.
True, extremely short hair like yours requires less maintenance than any other cut. But extremely long hair like mine requires less maintenance than any of the cuts you’ve pictured! All I need to do is comb it and twist it up or braid it, or just leave it down if that’s what I’m in the mood for. Long hair does not equal a requirement to use styling products, blow-dryers, or curlers. Stylish hair does, maybe–but long hair isn’t stylish! Long hair does not require tons of shampoo or conditioner. I use natural, handmade shampoo bars (check them out at www.chagrinvalleysoapandcraft.com) and usually use no conditioner at all, other than some diluted vinegar. My products are much better for the environment than what most shorter-haired women use!
Long hair is also low-maintenance in another way: no cuts! I have my mother trim my hair every few months. Other long-haired people I know trim their hair themselves. And there’s no need to keep the style in the right shape–it takes that shape naturally!
I would have to say that if you want to make your head environmentally friendly, either keep your hair very short or keep it very LONG!
A final point: Do you really want to encourage people to emulate the 1950s–an era when women’s rights and political and religious freedoms were at a historical low in the US?
July 7th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
I’m not denying that long hair can be healthy and environmentally friendly, but I’m sure you can see my point about how it is a needless drain on resources?
No matter the hair’s length, it needs regular trims to prevent split ends, which naturally keeps any cut ship-shape, so to speak.
I by no means am encouraging women to emulate everything about the 1950’s, but there are some things about the new Millennium, including how women are portrayed in the media, that make me long for that era all over again.
July 7th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Kary - I’m very glad to hear you enjoyed the post. We can share our short haircuts with the world when you visit soon.
Cindy - I’m sorry to hear about your recent experiences with chemo. Short hair is all the rage; maybe going bald is the next chic trend!
July 8th, 2008 at 6:19 am
I can see your point in saving resources, but what really drains ours resources more then short hair is the way we’ve been brainwashed to think we need so many hair care products and gadgets. I have had every length hair possible - but mine is currently long… I haven’t used shampoo in 7 years, i trim my own hair on ocassion and haven’t owned a blowdryer/curlers/curling iron since the late 80’s. I simply rinse with lemons or a lemon/lavender/ginger brew i steam myself.
I don’t use a single product or electric gadget for my hair. You can even make hair bands and stuff by upcycling old fabric & elastic from the thrift.I think it’s all in the attitude more then the length.
July 10th, 2008 at 4:37 am
Nice Post…and especially nice thinking…!!
July 10th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
On my own view it’s ok to have a long hair. Mine is long also. But I see to it I don’t used to much products that harms our environment.
And just wondering women’s have different personality and mood. Somes boost their confidence and feeling more good having a long hair .
July 15th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
I’ve spent the last five years growing my hair out, and its currently longer than it’s ever been, reaching half way down my back. I have beautiful hair, its that perfect red that everyone seems to want, but you just can’t dye hair this color. I’ve always wanted long hair but had never been patient enough to grow it out. Now that I have it, I wonder if maybe I’m too old for hair this long? Plus, I can’t keep my baby’s hands out of it, he spends more time pulling my hair than nursing! And its almost impossible to wash my scalp, which means I’ve developed a very hard to treat dandruff problem. Furthermore, it takes a long time to brush out, and I’m in the military and its a pain to pull it back every day. I think often about cutting it off, but three things stop me.
#1. Everyone told me I’d cut my hair off after having my baby. I don’t want everyone to be right.
#2. Just because I’m a mom now, doesn’t mean I want mom hair (see #1)
#3. Men love long hair. I’m a single mom right now, but someday I’d like to get married and have more children. I know looks aren’t everything, but it doesn’t hurt to play up your looks as much as you can. In fact, as much as we’d all like to deny it, it’s pretty much impossible to date if you don’t pay attention to your looks. Not that short hair can’t be beautiful, but men overwhelmingly say they prefer long hair.
I don’t know. I’ve been toying with the idea of cutting my hair off for a long time. If I do cut it off, I plan on donating what’s cut off to Locks of Love. I would encourage your readers who take your advice to do the same, if they have enough hair to cut off.
July 16th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
My long hair is very easy to maintain and I can quickly style it without products. When I wash my hair I allow it to dry naturally.
My photo, @ www.artistrybysandy.stumbleupon.com
I’m environmentally concerned and feel cutting ones hair is a matter of personal choice.
I love your blog! Great job.
Sincerely, Sandy
www.greenecocommunities.com
July 28th, 2008 at 1:02 am
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August 4th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
I agree it makes logical sense. But for me, the opposite is true. When I have long hair, I only need to wash it twice a week. I almost never blow-dry it because it looks better when it air-dries. When my hair is long, I use very little in the way of styling products because it basically styles itself.
When I have short hair, I have to wash it more frequently and blow-dry it every single time afterwards. I have to use mousse and gel and hair-spray just to make it look like it’s seen a hairbrush in the last month. Short hair is so maintenance-intensive for me, that’s why I keep my hair long.
August 6th, 2008 at 10:56 am
My hair is the longest it has ever been and I maintain it the with least amount of styling products and gadgets than I have ever before in my life. I have to say, at this time of year it is very hot on my skin but in the winter it keeps me warm. Living in upstate NY, I need all the help I can get staying warm in the winter. Having said that, I wish I could pull off a short hair style. When I did cut my hair in the past I wound up looking “cutsy” and nothing at all like “sophisticated.” Is there a particular style that is maintenance-free and a sure fire sophisticated look?
August 8th, 2008 at 12:04 am
No way. I have very long hair and I agree with Clare when she says that very long hair can be low maintenance. I wash it once a week with Yaoh shampoo and conditioner (which are the most environemntally friendly products on the UK market) and I let it dry naturally - I have not even seen a hairdryer for 20 years. Takes very little time, has very little impact on the environment.
August 8th, 2008 at 12:06 am
Plus I cut my hair myself, I’ve not been to a hairdresser for 20 years and its much easier. less time consuming and minimum environmental impact to keep an eye out for split ends and cut them as and when and then to have an overall trim once every few months than to go to the hairdresser every couple of weeks. Plus I can compost the hair I cut off - which hairdresser does that?
August 11th, 2008 at 6:23 am
I find this post really encouraging! I just cut all my hair off a few days ago (1″ length) and feel great about it. For years it’s something I wanted to do, but wasn’t confident enough until now.
The only thing I find disappointing though is some of the comments. It’s obvious that alot of women are hanging onto their hair length for men. How about we start caring about ourselves as much as we care about the environment
Also, the “mom hair” thing… It’s really sad to constantly hear women stereotyping each other, especially moms. Us women and moms should support each other, not perpetuate stereotypes 
August 19th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
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