Death of an Environmentalist
William McDonough and Michael Braungart in their brilliant book Cradle To Cradle wrote an entire chapter explaing Why Being Less Bad Is No Good
“. The authors argue that conservationism (or eco-efficiency as they call it) only makes the ecological damage we inflict less noticable over the course of time and therefore, more insidious.
Looking back now at the things that I have been telling people for years – consume less fuel, use less packaging, turn off your lights, grow less grass, buy smaller cars, live in a smaller house and so on – it’s all about getting by with less or doing without entirely. Doom and gloom sort of stuff. Not a lot of fun.
So how do I help myself and others to stop being less bad and to start being good? What is good? I’m not sure I really know anymore. Maybe I never did.
February 15th, 2007 at 16:05
Dude,
I love your rant!
February 23rd, 2007 at 12:52
You make a good point.
Also enjoyed reading about your recent adventures.As I’m planning my trips and can hardly wait to get out in the woods.
March 19th, 2007 at 13:07
Well spoken, padawan! You have arrived at a interesting point in reality – a point that 99% of society does not know exists. I support your decision to hang up (metaphorically) the old ways of thinking. Although I don’t think that learning the corporate mind-set will assist you in achieving eco-effectiveness, I do think that putting yourself on a better path will. I do love the beer analogy – that is what it’s all aboot after all! Keep on smiling!