No Impact Man

Beloved streaming Netflix + environmental documentaries = my addiction. This is something you'll come to know well as my blog continues. Just a few days ago, I watched No Impact Man. I had recalled hearing about it back when his project was going on; but it had all but faded from my mind. It was a nice reminder to find it in my recommendations from Netflix.

Forgive my lack of total review here; on the project or the film. This is just my immediate reaction (mostly because Netflix took it off the streaming options the moment I got done watching it, so I can't review it for the finer points). Basically, man (Colin Beaven) recruits family to embark on a project for one year to make 'no impact' (or as little as possible) on the planet. They give up buying new clothing/goods. They reduce/eliminate all packaging on the groceries by shopping at farmer's markets. They give up gas powered transport in lieu of bikes/scooters. Then, they give up electricity.

First, kudos to this guy. He went far more into it, and for far longer, than I certainly would be able to go. Could I reduce packaging? To some extent. But we don't all have the luxury of a year-round farmer's market to go to. In my Indiana town, we have a farmer's market only during the summer months. Trust me, I wish it was different.. but mostly, I have to rely on grocery stores for my groceries.

We also don't have community gardens (and I live in an apartment). Nor do we have 'bike lanes' to get around town. And honestly, I could give up most of my electricity; but not air conditioning. Just not willing to do it.. and I wouldn't be willing until total global disaster were imminent within a year. I guess air conditioning is my line. That, and refrigeration. Something No Impact Man gave up for several months; with not-so-great results. He ended up with a fly infestation and then borrowing ice from a neighbor's fridge; which really defeats the point entirely.

But all the things I said, are those excuses? Maybe. But more likely, it's the 'realist' part. As long as we can have (relatively affordable) gas powered vehicles, the likelihood of getting most citizens to choose walking or biking is slim. Sure, on the occassional, 'nice-weather' day.. but not as a way of living. And most busy folks I know have no desire to make their own garden and can their own food. And not one person I know is willing to sign up for no fridge or air conditioning.

Surely, that's part of the problem. Consumerism for consumption's sake. Convenience. A "throw-away" culture where everything is made 'just for us' and magically disappears when we throw it away. Where power is limitless and always available.

 

Any of you read the book? I might have to pick it up soon.

Some of it is people not being aware. Some is people not wanting to be aware. And some is people just not caring anyway.

Question is, which one are you? Would you go completely off grid? If not, how far would you go?