Death of an Environmentalist
So am I saying that I’m headed out now to buy myself that huge new V8-powered SUV? No – but I think that we need to be very clear about the fact that all these improvements in efficiency are really just to buy us some time while we figure out how to live effectively (or sustainably) on this planet of ours. Environmentalism is a transitional technology – not an end unto itself. And it is most certainly not a solution.
The next time you enjoy a cold beer (and you should do this more often), think about how it’s only natural to place the empty container back into the case (along with the cap, now so I’m told) and return all of the bottles back to the store for a return on your deposit. The bottles are washed and refilled with fresh product, and the caps and boxes are reprocessed again into caps and boxes. Imagine if everything you consumed or purchased fit into a nice tidy life cycle like this.
McDonough and Braungart assert that we can only achieve eco-effectiveness when we understand that waste equals food
. Although this realization will certainly help to point us in the right direction, I think we need to understand something more. We all need to look very long and very hard in the mirror and see that stuff will not make us happy. Ever.
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!