Carol wrote:
> I think there is also another huge obstacle and that is the lack of
> knowledge of how to live sustainably. I would if I could. But I really
> don't know how. . .
> If there is a place on the web to learn it, I have not yet
> discovered it. Ecopath seems to be more about philosophy and theory
> and discussion, which is important also, but I am starving for practical
> knowledge and I don't know how to get it.
I guess that depends on your definition of sustainable. Many believe that
buying organic cotton sheets, recycling their cans and glass, reusing
grocery bags and driving an energy efficient car is good enough. Some
believe that until certain technologies are perfected and the society at
large gets its act together an individual can't live sustainably.
I, however, think it is entirely possible to live sustainably now with what
is already known and used by millions of people. I do not consider my
current lifestyle sustainable and am slowly arranging things so that I may
live sustainable. Partly, I need to move at a pace that is acceptable to
my wife, Michiko. And partly, I am trying to creatively rearrange the last
several steps I have made, steps that seem to have been away from
sustainability not toward it.
If you want to play it safe, you could live in very "primitive" conditions
that you were certain were sustainable and slowly add things you felt you
needed and that were sustainable. This might not be easier than starting
to whittle away at what you do now until you felt what you were doing was
sustainable, but it might be more successful and would certainly mean that
you would be living sustainably sooner. Jeff has some good points to
remember: we often don't stick with changes that we don't enjoy and too
much change at once can back fire - or some thing like that. Also remember
that sustainable does not necessarily mean self-sufficient. If there are
like minded people in your area you should work out some cooperative
exchanges. Well done a sustainable life should be very pleasant, but it
will certainly be different from how most people live. Being prepared to
be different may be one of the other large obstacles.
I have found Permaculture to be very helpful to stimulate thinking about
practical hands in the dirt stuff. It covers everything from food and
shelter to communities and land use to energy and design. There are
mountains of good books out there; I'm sure people on the list would be
happy to recommend some if we knew what you were looking for.
Maybe as an interesting thread we can look at how you are living now, or
intend to live, and make suggestions and help find resources for missing
skills and knowledge. Using you as an example would probably be helpful
for all of us in examining what we are doing. Sound interesting?
Eric Storm
