No Impact Man

Apart from writing application letters and washing dishes, I also have some free time available for myself where I can enjoy myself, read, bake bread, have fun, whatever.
I love reading. I don't always seem to find the time to read as much as I would want to, but I try. The latest book on my floor/bed-side-table/in my backpack is the following: 'No Impact Man' by Colin Beavan.

I'm not the type of free publicity person but I can't help it: I just love this guy and his family making their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint. It's just such an honest, interesting and full of commitment-story. I recommend it to everyone who is concerned about contributing to a healthier planet in many ways.


That's what's special about it: it's more than a story. Colin and his wife really actually try to act in a different way instead of pointing their finger at others. One of the things that attracted me in the first place to read it (apart from the green-ness) was that Colin, Michelle and Isabella live in Manhattan, New York. I was so lucky to visit NY this summer for the first time in my life and I can only slightly imagine how difficult it must be not to buy anything that produces waste there. You can have a take-away-anything: from breakfast till midnight-snack. But at the same time I understand why living in NY, Manhattan is attractive. If offered a nice, interesting job there I wouldn't doubt for a minute. Yes, it's a big city, but it's full of everything you can wish for. It's just a little bit more difficult to find your own way and 'resist' consumer temptation.
This makes this story just a little more interesting. Because I want to be convinced that you can live in a city ánd be kind to our planet. Moving everyone to the countryside is not the answer. It's just not feasible.


So I haven't finished the book yet, but I'm almost there. I'm thinking about applying some of Colin's strategies myself, although I know it's gonna be difficult. I know I'm the kind of person that contributes to a healthier planet when it's no big deal for me. Like taking your fabric bag to the shop, shop local, don't buy veggies or fruit in plastic, etc...
Maybe I could try to 'tingle' the few readers I have to slowly add some green actions to our daily lifes. If it's possible in Manhattan, it's possible anywhere!


P.s.: Colin also has a blog, I haven't been reading much on it, but since I discovered it, I try to follow his posts. http://noimpactman.typepad.com/