Yes! We CAN Save the Earth!

We can no longer deny that Global Warming is happening. Most of us accept that it is due to human activity, especially the acceleration of Western consumerism since the Second World War. We all want to do something. But it's hard!
(Feeling really miserable? Sound on?click here! - and save the file! mp3 file - 461kb.)

Calculate your own ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT on the Earthday website. (Read about my ongoing Experiments in Personal Sustainability)

The very culture which has created the problem has also created mindsets and worldviews which actively discourage us as individuals from taking positive action, and label those who overcome these barriers as extremists and radicals.
There's a lot on the Re-earthing the Cities website which could give you some ideas and positive support.
For instance, you may find my article Not Mere Survival, but Another Way of Living, which examines some of the reasons for our emotional resistance to lifestyle change, both sympathetic and useful.
But before we get into philosophy, you probably want to know what you can do straight away.

Well, the simplest answer is : "Just use a little less - of everything "
Most of us already feel guilty about the time we spend in the shower, but shorter showers really will help. You probably need only about one third of the toilet paper, toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo & conditioner, laundry detergent etc. you currently use. Do you need a daily paper - how about twice a week - and all those magazines? Most of us really need to eat a little less, & have one less coffee, beer, or glass of wine each day. Try watching a little less TV, and turning off the sound during the ads.
Water saving tips

The next step, not quite so simple is: "Slow down"
You will be less irritated by the small inconveniences which inevitably result from a more Earth-friendly lifestyle. You will also have time to think things through before you act, and thus make more ecologically focussed decisions. For instance, buying fresh fruit instead of a processed and packaged treat such as ice-cream, or sometimes making hamburgers and pizzas at home rather than having a take-away.

Third: "Increase the amount of physical effort you put into everyday life"
Walk to the Deli. and the mailbox, hang out your laundry instead of using the dryer - you can dry it even on a balcony. Mend clothing rather than throwing it out. When you are tired of something, take it to a charity shop instead of stuffing it in the bin. Use a manual lawn-mower rather than a motor mower, or a motor-mower rather than the ride-on! Walk to school with the children, walk, ride a bike, or take public transport to work. Take the children to the park occasionally, and have fun! instead of them constantly watching TV or playing video-games. Find real ants to watch instead of virtual ones!

Making these three principles a habit really covers all you need to do. You will gradually, and fairly painlessly, develop a more positive outlook. Your personal energy will no longer be sapped by feelings of guilt and resentment. You health will improve. Just try it and see!

Quick tips on saving water
Wash instead of showering - see how little water you need!
Most people can easily get by with one or two showers per week. And you really appreciate them!
Wash Up by hand.
Keep dishes to a minimum and improve your health:-
Stir-fry your meals - woks should never need washing.
Clean your plate thoroughly, using bread or licking it clean, before washing it.
Have uncooked desserts of fruit, yoghourt, or cheese.
Reduce your laundry using the tips in laundry leaflet 1
And for the truly dedicated/radical:
Pee on the garden
If this isn't possible, collect in a bucket, covering it with a small towel to prevent odours,
then add to the grey water you use to flush the loo when it really needs it.
And, males please note - keep the lid of the loo, not just the seat, down at all times!
Back

Many parents will say that these suggestions are impossible to carry out,
because the children, or a spouse, won't like it.
Well, take charge!
Where the kids are concerned, you're the boss - and eventually they will respect you for making these changes,
and as you involve them, their own self-respect will improve. Hang in there!
As for the spouse - are you sure you're not just making them an excuse for not taking action?
As long as you don't take the high moral ground, or abuse them for not joining in the challenge,
they can't really stop you.
It's your behaviour you're changing. Their behaviour is their responsibility..

This How-to Site Map
gives direct links to various practical suggestions, and further relevant links:

And here is a hyperlinked text indexof most of the articles, leaflets, and other material I have written and collected on this and allied subjects over the years.

Of course, this information has been around for quite a while - this leaflet on Environmentally Friendly Lifestyle was written back in 1989, by my friend Jo Hill and myself, for a series of workshops called "How To Save the World", at the Campbelltown Community Health Centre

Want to go further?
Then think about the things you buy in terms of:

a) The water and energy needed to manufacture & package them;
b) The fuel and time needed to transport them to the point of sale;
c) How long their useful life is.

This is called energy accounting.Take a look at this section of the website:
Energy Accounting
then follow the links in lower case - they lead to other parts of the section.
(Links in UPPER CASE lead to external websites.)

Emotional and spiritual help, to deal with despair and maintain committment
The text of the wonderful Deep Ecology collection "Thinking Like a Mountain" is now online -
go to: http://www.rainforestinfo.org.au/deep-eco/welcome.htm and follow the link.
It is also available complete with the delightful illustrations as a pdf file (5mb.) - information on the TLAM page. See also their PROCESSES page.
If you really can't find it, let me know and I'll try to help, but I can't email it to you, as I'm only on dial-up!

The text of Joanna Macey's original booklet "Despairwork" is available as an rtf file (60kb.) by clicking here
or as a doc. file (66 kb.) by clicking here

- This is an Australian website - Contact Margaret RainbowWeb

URL - http://www.users.on.net/~arachne/margaret.html