Most of us are aware of the environmental impact based upon our consumption and ways of life and are at least concious of some little things we can and try to do to make a difference. The Beaven family took their actions to the extreme in a humorous and educational documentary that follows them as they abandon their high-consumption Fifth Avenue lifestyle in an attempt to make a no-net environmental impact.
Colin Beavan began this project in research for his next book. He calls himself "a liberal schlub who got tired of listening to himself complain about the world without ever actually doing anything about it…" Thus, in November, 2006, Beavan launched a year-long project in which he, his wife, his two-year-old daughter and his four-year-old dog went off the grid and attempted to live in the middle of New York City with as little environmental impact as possible. Michelle Beavan, a self-proclaimed shopaholic and Starbucks poster girl, had absolutely no idea what she was getting into when she agreed to do the No Impact Project, You can sign up for a week and follow their step by step guide if you are feeling up to the challenge. This documentary, "No Impact Man," is sure to stimulate interesting conversations about lessons learned from the viewing experience. Maybe it will even spark a change that will make a difference. Maybe you'll remember to bring your water bottle, or your own cup to Starbucks, or your own bags to the grocery store. Maybe you'll walk to work one day a week..The DVD is available for purchase or on Netflix.
Here are 6 of Colin's Guidelines for a Low Impact Life, ( more on his blog)
1.Save the World by improving your diet.
Cutting beef out of your diet will reduce your CO2 emissions by 2,400 pounds annually. Could you commit to a week without beef for a week? a month? maybe just 3 days a week?
2. Get your Drinking Water for Free.
Giving up 1 bottle of imported water means using up one less liter of fossil fuel and emitting 1.2 pounds less of greenhouse gas into the atmosphere. Could you commit to a week without plastic water bottles? A month? A year?
3. Observe and Eco-sabbath-
Don’t buy anything, don't use any machines, don't switch on anything electric, don't cook, don't answer your phone, and, in general, don't use any resources. Do it for a whole day each week to cut your impact by 14.4% a year. Could you commit to one hour a week for a month? A year?
4. Tithe a fixed portion of your Income-
If an average family contributes 1% ($502.33) of their annual income ($50,233) to an environmental non-profit, they could offset 40.7 tons of carbon dioxide per year. Could you commit to tithing .5% of your annual income to an environmental non-profit? 1%? 2%?
5. Get there Under Your Own Steam-
If you can stay off the road and ride your bike or walk just two days a week, you'll reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 1,590 pounds per year and get good, healthy exercise and we'll all breathe fewer fumes. Could you commit to using your own steam for one day a week? Two? Three?
6. Commit to Eco-Service-
Take time off from television watching each week and join with others to improve our planet. Spend three fewer hours each day sitting in front of your plasma television and you will reduce your carbon emissions by 550 pounds each year. Could you commit to 5 hours of eco-service a month? 0? 15?
Post Author Tamara Wallop
for Globally Gorgeous
