Should you go green in your dating life too?

Environmentally conscious daters are placing more importance on eco-compatibility with potential partners, according to a recent article in USA Today.  And according to The New York Times, therapists are seeing a rise in environmental-related arguments among couples.  Who knew that a relationship could go south if a partner buys farm-raised instead of wild Alaskan salmon?

This might be an extreme example, but the increasing importance people place on environmental conservation is all around us.  More hybrid cars are on the road.  Recycling bins are common at Farmer’s Markets and other pedestrian-friendly areas around L.A.  People are buying locally-produced, organic foods.  And despite the threat of closing some state parks, volunteers are taking it upon themselves to maintain trails and parks.

But when did environmental awareness affect dating?

There are several trends developing in how people are dating, including where they go, what they eat, and how they get there.  Some include walking or biking to a meeting place for a date, enjoying a locally-grown vegetarian meal together, or catching the bus to the closest Sunday morning flea market.

Perhaps you aren’t so picky about the eco-compatibility of a potential partner, but if you find yourself increasingly frustrated by dates that don’t care about their carbon footprints as much as you do, you are not alone.  Niche online dating and social networking sites for environmentally conscious folks are on the rise.  Here are just a few great resources for you to meet like-minded people:

L.A. Green Drinks – organization for anyone concerned about environmental issues to get together and discuss over drinks.  These take place each week in different parts of L.A., including Westside, Pasadena, Hollywood, South Bay, Downtown and the Valley.

Green Singles – started 20 years ago and is now a great place for singles to meet online.  They donate 5% of profits to environmental causes.

Green Passions – an online dating and social networking site for those with specific eco-friendly requirements, such as recycling, alternative energy, and organic farming.

Veggie Date offers a listing of meat-free singles, as well as recipes and vegetarian restaurant suggestions.

Planet Earth Singles – online dating site for all facets of earth-friendly daters, including environmentalists, activists, raw foodists, and animal rights advocates.

About the Author:
Kelly is a writer and former speed dating host living in Los Angeles.  You can visit her blog “Notes from the Dating Trenches”, at www.kellyseal.com.  You can also read her tweets @kellyseal.      
 

©2010. This article was excerpted with permission from Kelly Seal at www.kellyseal.com.
Permission to reprint is granted by the author. All reprints must state, “Reprinted with permission by Kelly Seal from www.kellyseal.com. Originally published in www.WomensOnlineMagazineLosAngeles.com, April 2010.

DISCLAIMER: The information and opinions reflected in this article are solely those of the author and do not reflect on the publisher, editor, or editorial staff of Women’s Online Magazine. This article has been written and reviewed by the author. Any errors should be brought to the attention of the author

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