Like falling off a log

I hadn't heard this before, but Story of Stuff's Annie Leonard, who I had dinner with the other night, told me that Paul Hawken said that living sustainably should be as easy as falling off a log. In other words, it should be the easiest, normalist, most natural thing to do.

But it's not.

This is one of the big things I learned during my No Impact Man project. That living sustainably is not easy for an individual because the culture doesn't support it. Nor do the many systems that we depend upon. They are so entirely based on fossil fuels and disposable products, so that, if you want to be completely no impact, as I tried to be, you almost have to disengage.

That isn't the way things should be.

That's why I take to heart another thing that Annie and I talked about at dinner. She told me that someone said--I forget who, but maybe Hawken again--that if you swim against the current, the only thing that happens is that you improve your breaststroke. If you work to change the direction of the current, though, you make the swimming easier for everyone.

Which brings me to my point. A couple of people left behind comments on yesterday's post, saying they wish that there had been more environmental living tips on the blog recently. One of the commenters wrote that "I vote with my money, and by buying 75% local and 75% organic, I am ever-so-slightly pushing the market towards providing more of those goods."

My question is: what if you don't have any money to vote with? What if you can't afford to buy local and organic? What if you can't afford the local green choice? What if you work two jobs and you just don't have the extra time it takes to do some of the green things? What, in short, if your life circumstances don't allow you to take the sustainable actions that aren't "as easy as falling off a log?"

One thing I've become keenly aware of is that living No Impact was entirely predicated on my privileged circumstances. The No Impact project has occasionally been criticized as bourgeois, and I get the point. Eating local is a no-brainer if you live in a rich neighborhood with the cool, local-food farmers' market nearby. Not consuming resources is no problem if a life of purchasing power has provided you with most of what you need.

As Van Jones says: "...you can’t have a sustainable economy when only 20 percent of the people can afford to pay for hybrids, solar panels, and organic cuisine, while the other 80 percent are still driving pollution-based vehicles to the same pollution-based jobs and struggling to make purchases at Wal-Mart..."

And so, I've decided that for myself, in choosing my path forward in my continued experience as No Impact Man, that my individual attempts at environmental living are not sufficient. As much as I've come to believe in the incredible power of a life lived in integrity with one's values, and as much as I've seen evidence of the differences each of us can make with our life choices, I'd also like to think we have the power to make those same choices and benefits available to everyone.

"We must beware of environmental solipsism," Bill McKibben once warned me.

Concentrating solely on individual action ignores the fact that there are so many others who either can't or won't live sustainably unless it is as easy as, well, falling off that log. It ignores that fact that one swimmer changing direction does a lot less good than a whole river of swimmers changing direction. And it ignores the fact that living sustainably, and reaping the rewards of that, in the form of, for example, pollution-free air, should not be available only to the privileged.

Nutritious, local food should not just be available to the wealthy while the poor are left with McDonalds and KFC. Clean(ish) air should not be reserved for southern Manhattan residents while the children of Harlem and the South Bronx suffer asthma in record numbers. Sixty mpg hybrids should not be the norm only for those who can afford a brand new car.

Environmental living and its benefits must be easily available to everyone if we are to preserve the planetary habitat on which we humans depend for our health, happiness and security. Widespread environmental living can only be achieved if the entire system becomes sustainable.

That is why, in addition to the issues of individual lifestyle change, I've decided it is necessary, here on this blog, to discuss "the big issues."

Comments

[Roo]

I have another somewhat limiting factor for you that a lot of people miss.

I was living fairly sustainably last summer - a lot more so than most people, but a lot less than you ;). It was at the point where I was saving money, producing very little waste, feeling and eating healthier, buying local, buying foods in bulk, getting more exercise - an all around Good Deal.

Then, in late September, I was in a car accident. I had one broken knee cap, and my other knee was seriously damaged. There is more damage than they thought, and I'm still in a lot of pain, and very limited in standing, walking, kneeling, sitting - you name it - six months later.

Over the last 6+ months I've realized how difficult our society can make living sustainably for not just those who are limited by location, finances, time, etc. but also those less physically able than others. (And yes, there are a lot of other societal issues for disabled individuals, but that's another blog.)

Cooking is difficult because I can't stand for very long which means I can't make larger meals from scratch. Grocery shopping is no longer something I can do alone which makes it much harder to plan and shop responsibly. There's definitely no walking to the store or even running all my errands in one trip to save gas. For the first few months even a taxi was impossible (ankle to hip brace) let alone take a bus or other mass transit (if it was available in my area). We've even had to buy several items to help me manage the basics - things which we couldn't buy used because we needed them immediately. Some of the things I was doing as *habit* by last summer - maybe spending more time on things but enjoying things much more as a bonus to feeling good about my dwindling environmental footprint - would be all but impossible now if I didn't have a lot of help from my boyfriend and my son. Even with their help it's difficult to do anywhere near as much as we were before since they have much busier lives than I do.

I'm not sure what exactly my point is, really. But while it did occur to me that say, being in a wheelchair, would make many things difficult, I really didn't realize how much it would affect my ability to live a sustainable lifestyle. I think you're right, that it is important to consider issues impeding people from making a smaller impact on the world, and I don't think I've ever seen this one mentioned.

[Paula Hewitt]

Thankyou for posting this - I struggle all the time with the problems of being green/frugal/healthy. We simply can't afford organic food, or to travel to farmers markets - we do what we can, but I feel it is a balancing act between what we can afford, and what we would like to do. I aim to buy Australian, preferably local, as unprocessed as possible, as little as possible and as frugally as possible - but it isnt easy. even the healthier option (eg wholegrain vs white grain)is more expensive - wholegrain, organic, local is only for the rich around here! (and as for a hybrid car.....)

[Peter]

I read this blog for a long time. I never have commented, nor will I do it now. I just wanned to say something important. So...

Thank you, Colin.

[Brian Foust]

Colin, You amaze me with our depth of thought on this subject, your willingness to ask tough questions and speak the truth. Keep up the good work and we will change the current.

[Rhea]

Absolutely! Writer/activist Ross Gelbspan writes and speaks about the global picture. He scoffs at stuff like recycling, which doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of the environmental changes we really need to launch. I was in Austin recently and met a man who owns a wind power company. He told me that wind power is huge in Texas, not because there are a bunch of progressive-minded farmers who are environmentalists and want to devote their land to wind energy. It's because it has become financially rewarding for them to do so. That's like 'falling off a log' for them.

[jo]

You are right of course, but it is those of us who are relatively privileged, who have the time/money/energy and in your case, media attention, who drive the thin end of the wedge in, and prise open opportunities for those who can't do it on their own. I'm thinking of the biblical parable of the talents - from those who have much, much is expected.
And consumer demand does work, does bring down prices. Look at the car, and air travel, both once the province of the rich, now way too cheap due to consumer demand. So those of us who can afford it must keep buying organic apples, and outrageously expensive organic clothing and solar panels, because it is our demand which will push supply and ultimately bring them within reach of everyone. Oh, but that also doesn't absolve us of finding creative ways to somehow try to bring sustainability and clean air to the whole community right now if we can...

[emily]

bravo.

[d.a.]

@jo - I agree with you, in that those who have much, much is expected. I started buying organic back in the 80's, when I could ill afford it, with the thought in mind that demand would increase accessibility. Slowly, it's coming along.

Colin, I also agree we need to make it easy for everyone, and @Roo, your observances on how difficult living lightly is when disabled was an eye-opener! Thank you!

I look forward to hearing more about what we can do collectively (and hopefully adding to the ideas as well!), and am grateful for where this blog is heading.

[kelsey]

ah, isnt' THAT the question!? How do those of us in a position to do something actually do something, the right thing? I recently saw Majora Carter speak about her SSB efforts and other efforts to green the Bronx and I've been asking that question ever since. If you found yourself in a position to apply for government/private funding and start a company or organization...what would you do to help those who are stuck living a toxic lifestyle? And more importantly *would* you do it?

[michael]

i'm a relative newcomer to your words, colin, but not to their meaning. i'd add only this: talking about change is not unimportant. i think we have a tendency to believe that 'talk is cheap' and that you're not helping if you're not 'doing something.' this could not be more untrue. in many cases, as you've illustrated, there is a desire and an intent for people to help change the current. they feel, however, that they aren't able to do so because we've taken away the power of their words. it's important that we once again recognize that nothing of value has ever come about without words. i suppose that, in a sense, talk is cheap...after all, it's free!

i'm not talking about letter writing or blogging, even. i'm talking about conversation with your sister, or neighbor, or friends. just 'being interested' is helpful, and let's not underestimate the power of the conversation.

perhaps it is because recent (and not completely unrelated) events in tibet are on my mind, but i'm reminded of something that HH the Dalai Lama is known for saying. it's the most basic philosophy for living. 'do everything you can to help others, and if you can do nothing to help them, at least do them no harm.'

[Michael]

Beautifully put. It has been nice to see how your thinking has evolved over the course of this experiment. Your actions have clearly taught not only others, but yourself as well.

[Katie]

Cliche, but Gandhi said "be the change you want to see in the world." I commend you for your efforts, as they have inspired so many people like myself to change our lives and live different, but I've always wondered why you didn't feel like it was appropriate to encourage or advocate your way of living - without crossing the line and being a zealot that proselytizes to everyone!

I'm glad that you've come to feel comfortable enough to discuss issues like this here. I think we need more direct conversation that challenges the way we think - we will get nowhere talking about the "easy" issues.

Thanks for your blog - I am so glad I came across it as it has inspired me to overhaul my own life. Keep up the great work.

[Jessica]

You're absolutely right, and I wish more people realized it. I struggle with doing what I can to live sustainably myself, but I am the sole income for my little family (which consists of myself, my son and my mother), and I just can't afford to live the way I want to.
For example, I am in the market to buy a new car. My old one is just no longer safe to drive, so I thought if I'm going to buy a new car then I want to get the most fuel efficient one I can afford. I can't afford a hybrid, so I settled on the Toyota Yaris. Unfortunately, it turs out that I can't afford that either. I got it into my head that perhaps I could buy a Tata Nano. I mean, why not? Just because I'm in America doesn't mean I'm not poor. But then I'm still upside down on this old car of mine I can't really drive, and its just sitting in the parking lot of our apartment complex rusting. I think I'm going to get a bike, but I don't know what I'm going to do come winter time. I live in Colorado.
Its bad out there now. A friend of mine said that maybe a recession is what this country needs to pull itself out of its rampant consumerism. Way to look at the bright side, huh? He doesn't have a newborn son and no health insurance, like me (I'm a Soldier in the National Guard, I might add). How am I supposed to live sustainably when I can't even afford to take my son to well baby check ups? The biggest thing I can do right now, really, is to buy less, which actually isn't even a choice. Its a necessity. So I'm trying to get involved with organizations that are trying to make a bigger impact. The Green Party, Holistic Moms Network, Sierra Club. I'm hoping that makes up for my inability to buy organic. Plus, its a way cheaper way to socialize than the way I socialized in my pre mommy days.

[Val]

Great response to yesterday's comments.

[Chip]

Alot of discussion here about those who can and those who can not. A bit black and white. We are a continuum of folks all making choices. And there are many things we can all (almost all) do to have huge impact. Imagine if all drivers started driving modestly, acclerating slowly and cruising at the speed limit - saving 20-30% in fuel consumption. Emphasis on low hanging fruit is a big part of the puzzle.

[greenadventure]

Living in an economically-depressed rural area of SW Michigan, I have to drive a good 30 miles or so just to find healthy, organic products. That is much too far for many of our local citizens who, even if they really wanted to purchase safer, healthier household products, either don't have a car, can't afford the gas, or can't afford the higher prices of sustainable products once they find them. The situation you mentioned of people working two jobs (or three!) just barely getting by is far too common in our country, and worrying about the planet and even about their own health has become a luxury they can't afford or can't fit into their lives. It is hard to comprehend that we live in a country where some people still have to worry about where their next meal is coming from. And if finding the means to eat is your most important personal priority, I'm sure global warming, habitat destruction, and landfill overflow suddenly pale in comparison.

You are absolutely right, Colin- if it is not as easy as falling off a log, living sustainably will not be an option for many of us. But those of us who can afford to, who can spare the extra time to seek out healthier options, and are blessed enough to be able to make sustainable living a viable option, should work to make that option available to all. Imagine the wealthiest country in the world being a place where the most fortunate are able to help the less fortunate live lives that are just as safe, healthy, and sustainable as their own.

Local farmer's markets now often accept food stamps. How wonderful is that!! Every little step we make to bring these wonderful sustainable living options closer to everyone, not just middle and upper classes, builds healthier communities, healthier citizens, and a healthier planet.

[Andy]

While I agree with most things you post on your blog, I'm going to strongly disagree with some of your sentiments on this post.

I know that some people do not have access to local and organic food. Let me say though, that this past summer I kept meticulous track of my food purchases, and it was cheaper than what I used to spend on fairly cheap college-student type of food. Eating healthier (for me and the planet) saved me money, so I don't always believe that the poor are at a complete disadvantage here. With the 75%/75% sentance, I did not mean that I am so rich that I can afford decadent food, I meant that even though my town does not have a wide variety of local/organic foods in the stores, with a little effort I was able to find what I was looking for, ultimately cheaper. I even hosted a dinner for 200 people with 2 entres, salad, bread, beverages, and dessert that was almost all organic and local, and it only cost $6 per person for all of that.

But here's the clincher: If we convince ourselves that sustaining a city population is going to be easy (possible?) in a post-petroleum world, than we are kidding ourselves. Do you think, even with major political and industrial changes, that there will be a cheap way to grow food in the Catskills of New York for the poor to eat in NYC? It's hard enough for the farmers around here to even stay afloat, especially diary farmers, because of the system that they are stuck in from the heavy demands of NYC. Are you saying there is some way that looking at the big picture is going to change those demands? There was a report recently that showed that upstate NY counties are loosing population, which the Hudson Valley and NYC area are gaining.

Here's what I think needs to happen, and I'll try to be brutally honest here. I don't see an easy solution for those that are used to dense populations and living on little money. In the more distant past, when living conditions got to a certain level of "bad" (e.g. people died from not finding enough food) those people moved to another place to find what they needed. Now, I know it can't be easy for a poor family to just get up and leave the city, but if the decision is live a poor life struggling to feed your family, than in that situation I would do anything possible to move out of that area. There are many places that don't require college degrees or loads of money to live well. I've talked with individuals from various intentional communities, and their yearly incomes range from $1,000 to $10,000. Are they poor? They don't seem to be struggling one bit to live off that income, and they seem relatively very happy compared to most Americans. So who are the poor then? I don't think it's just about money - I think it's about their surroundings, and the situations that they feel they are stuck in - and those *can* change much easier than forcing major changes in government.

About the changes in focus of your blog -
In the beginning I would see many posts with the generalized statement of "Wow, I'm so glad I found this blog" because it was new and crazy and hitting the media. But now, it seems more like you have a base of readers who wait for the new post everyday, and understand the easy parts at least. By posting big picture ideas of things that 'this group' already knows, it may generate some new responses, some new thoughts, but doesn't seem to bring about much more than a small discussion in the comments. If you seek large change, why don't you put the efforts into creating some form of a group or community that can truly tackle the issues - even if it's one at a time. Posting your ideas online is helpful, and does help plant a seed in our minds, but the problem I see is that you are now just talking about the issues, instead of addressing them head on.

In the past, your response to understanding the effects of non-renewable energy was to stop using it. Your response to consumerism hurting our happiness and causing myriads of other problems was to stop buying new goods. Your response to increasing amounts of landfills in the backyards of the poor communities was to avoid making as much trash. But now, your response to the big issues is just to discuss them. And although that is not a bad thing, I much prefered reading this blog when I saw solutions instead of discussion. I wouldn't read a blog that said, "I wonder how to use less power" when answer is simple (even if implementing it is not).

I hope this rambling clears a few things up. I want to make a disclaimer because I know that writing doesn't allow for interperetation of emotion well, and it may seem like I am trying to be rude, argumentative, etc. I have a great respect for what you are trying to do, and the wonderful knowledge I have gained from the first year of this blog, and it is easily clear that others have gained much from it as well. In no way do I mean to say that I am better than you, or that what you are doing is futile. My basic sentiment is just that I see the diretion of this blog going in a way that I think is overall less helpful to people reading it. I would shake your hand if I could.

-Andy

[Greenpa]

#1, roo - I was getting ready to write a bit about "DON'T fall off that log!" - and there you are!

Don't slip on the ice, either. I did that 3 years ago; broke my wrist, and am nearly recovered now. Pretty darn hard to get firewood, in the meantime.

Part of the point you are striving to find is- "sustainable" living very often- usually - involves more - work. Human energy input, sweat- and time, instead of fossil fuel input.

Those are all the things the Frozen Toaster Extreme Pastries are designed to "save".

And very definitely, if you become ill, or injured- it's very hard indeed to maintain all the eco-purity ... alone.

You need backup. A spouse who's on board. Children. Family. Aunts/Uncles/Gram/Gramp - and usually these days, that kind of extended family is TOO extended; like in San Francisco, when you're in Boston.

It's just reality- sustainable means less machine input; more human input- and if you're short on human energy - you really have to find ways to cope. Not always easy.

If you find yourself backsliding (horrors!) - and relying of Frozen Toaster Whatsits- you've got plenty of company. :-)

[Katie]

I've had a lot of recent thoughts about this topic. Many people that are even just a little affluent really have no idea about how most people live. I finally got a chance to watch the movie Supersize Me. What really hit me about the movie was not that the food was so bad, but that unlike the guy in the movie, most people that eat Mc Donalds food don't go to the doctor for physicals because they don't have health insurance and they can't afford it. So they don't know what is happening to their bodies. They can't go until they are really sick and then taxpayers end up picking up the bill when it would be much cheaper to help people eat better to begin with, by giving them better options up front. But no, we are caught in a never ending cycle of companies who do whatever they can to raise profits, serving poor substitutes for food to people who can't afford to be sick, but saying "look how many jobs we are providing!" Poor jobs at that. The poor and the lower middle income people pay the most for everything in our society and it needs to stop.

[Sarah]

To Andy,
I think Colin IS involved in groups that seek large change like the Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice. One doesn't need to reinvent the wheel (start their own group) in order to get involved. And it's ALL of our responsibilities to get involved in groups like these.

[arduous]

Yes!! Colin, this was a BRILLIANT POST and you nicely encapsulated everything I've been thinking for the past several months and said it beautifully.

The problem is that the systems aren't in place for us to live sustainably without it being a pain. A lot of eco-blogs talk a lot about stuff like making your own jam or canning your own food or growing your own food. And I think these are awesome things to do if you have the time and the resources. But a lot of people don't.

I live in a small one bedroom apartment that gets limited sunlight. No balcony. I simply can't grow my own food except for perhaps a few herbs. A lot of people don't have time to make their own jam or can their own food. A hundred years ago, if you had stained clothes or a chicken carcass, it went to the rag and bones man. Now society is not set up that way, so if you have stained clothes you have to figure something out to do with it. There is no help for anyone trying to live sustainably.

And so I've kept thinking and thinking that while all these tips are nice and important, what they fail to address is the more pressing concern which is that being "green" should be easy, but is really really hard.

You are absolutely right, Colin. This was a fantastic, fantastic post. Thank you for this.

[Margaret]

Roo, thanks for your comments! Though your accident has made your personal life a lot harder, maybe you can take some comfort in thinking about how people with disabilities have been fighting for--and succeeding to various degrees--a lot of changes in western societies that make life a lot more healthy for all of us: better, more accessible mass transit, curb cuts, better ergonomic designs and more flexible building designs; clearer job descriptions that help eliminate discrimination of many kinds...a world that works better for the much older and much younger members, along with those who have disabilities. These are all elements we'd want to keep in a "green" world, including the recognition that we are interdependent--sometimes more than others! You'll probably be a better advocate for a lot of things after you're out of the worst of your recovery--though believe me, I don't wish that anyone had to learn about these issues by becoming injured or going through so much pain! Colin, if you come across more people and/or resources that address the intersection of no impact and the world of people with disabilities, this would probably be a great area to look at.

[Leslie]

I agree with the low-hanging fruit comment. There are millions of people who could take small measures that would add up to a substantial impact. We are already seeing that oil consumption is down. That isn't what was forecasted.

Maybe more needs to be done to reach a larger audience. It still seems like the sustainable living crowd is seen as exotic and is marginalized. The concept of sustainability is in the vocabulary of very few people. It certainly is not applied to their everyday existence. How does that integration happen?

[Labrat]

People need to be educated about the science that is going on in their bodies and in their environment.

When you are poor and hungry or scared or lonely or abused, there is a fight or flight mechanism which takes over the brain. Many people live daily at this lower level of existence, all over the world. It's why gangs are so prevalent; people want to belong to something bigger than themselves. (Anyone ever go to a Raiders game?)

The fact that this blog is now talk instead of action is kind of a natural response to how overwhelming the problems of the world really are.

I can sit here in the comfort of my little home with internet access and pat Colin on the back and gush over everybody's comments, but it is SELF SERVING. We are our own little eco-gang.

I would love to see more people write about their interactions with perfect strangers and how we can be an influence, not on other eco-minded people, but with those who are living differently than us.

Oh, and it can't be...Well, I emailed a link to Colin's site.

Please, someone, somewhere in this world, tell me a story about how you influenced someone outside of our little circle of eco-geeks.

Here's one of mine: This doesn't sound huge, but it is; I saw my neighbor rinsing oily car parts in the street, so I walked up to him looking like a dead fish. He laughed, we broke the ice. Did I help the environment? Who knows? But I at least tried to REACH OUT. Diplomacy and tact helps, or you get MYOB, B*tch! There has to be more stories of good, not just gloom and doom.

[Wendy]

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." ~Theodore Roosevelt

While I agree with your post regarding the cost-prohibition of living sustainably and the fact that sustainability can't just be for a select few, there are things we can all do even if they are really small. What about re-using Ziploc bags? I know that is a bit simplistic, but can't we wash them and reduce the amount of plastic bags in landfills?