Mansions, Boats, Big Cars, Excessive Shopping = Failure

Americans are so rich compared to much of the world. We have so much purchasing power. This power can have long-term hazardous effects.

We need to become educated consumers, switching from linear thinking to systems thinking.

Linear Thinking: I need money to buy a larger TV (or replace this with any purchase).

Systems Thinking: Do I really need a new TV or is my current, smaller one sufficient? Can I recycle my old TV? What energy source will I use? Is that source renewable? Many materials (natural resources) were required to produce it. Are those resources sustainable? Recycled? Recyclable? Is it an energy-efficient model? Does it have energy-efficient settings? Can I recycle it at some point? Where are the materials for this TV being taken from? Who is involved in the making, transporting and distributing of this TV? How are they treated? How far has the parts for this TV traveled?

These are the types of questions a systems thinker asks to make sure the purchase is well-thought out.

To learn more about our current linear system of thought and why it fails - watch this fun video.

My belief:

Success is not a big house, an enormous lawn, a wide-screen TV, the latest technology, a boat, expensive possessions, big cars, huge meals, fancy vacations, and an elaborate wardrobe.

Success is a happy family, clean air and water, nourishing food, time for play and exercise, small, sustainable homes, helping those in need, safe, sustainable and walkable communities, ongoing-learning, connections with people, love, caring, stories, songs, hugs and a beautiful earth for all to enjoy.

Are you a success?

The Depletion of Natural Resources will have Devastating Consequences....

You may feel that this depletion has nothing to do with you, or you may not really believe there will be any consequences for the depletion of natural resources, or you may truly believe that we will always have a never ending supply of natural resources at our disposal.

BEEP!! Sorry. Wrong answer. Please try again.

Right answer:

Every time you buy something made from nonrenewable resources (i.e. paper, a car, a house, a TV) you have contributed to the problem. And it's a HUGE problem! Many believe we are close to a tipping point.

The time to change is now.

We need sustainable action!

This means not just taking, buying whatever you want.

This behavior change will mean that there will be resources to spare. It means using what you have on hand, borrowing and buying used items. It means using less water and for Americans and other rich countries, it means eating less, using less and buying less. It means being mindful of your actions and thoughts and whether or not they lead to a better future or a ruined one.

It means purchasing only what you need and from sustainable sources (recycled, renewable, reusable sources). This can be a FUN challenge!

A declining, failing, stressed civilization is NEVER fun.

What will happen if we don't change our mind-set to sustainability?

WORSE THAN YOU THINK....

our forests are shrinking, our deserts are growing, our water tables are falling, our fisheries are collapsing, cheap oil is declining and species are disappearing.

Unless we change our ways we are heading into environmentally induced economic decline and collapse.

Right now the world economy and population are growing. Demand is high and we want what we want NOW.

But the earth beats to a different drummer. It is full of systems that recycle themselves in their own time. They do not speed up or increase because people demand it. If we take too much, too fast- it will be gone.

Global demands on natural systems exceed their sustainable yield capacity.

If we deplete and destroy our forests, wetlands, coral reefs and grasslands through overconsumption we lose their services; such as water purification, pollination, carbon sequestration, flood control, and soil conservation. This leads to a decline in food production and an increase in air pollution (climate change emissions).

Fish is the sole provider of protein for many people- yet many fisheries are headed for collapse. Fish need time to reproduce. They will not speed up due to excessive demand. Depletion of resources will lead to a flow of environmental refugees. We need to support programs that educate girls in developing countries about birth control and supporting government regulations on fishing, logging and water usage.

Rich countries are setting a bad example for countries such as China and India that are developing fast. If they consume like we have been doing, and it is heading that way- there goes our forests!

Many civilizations have collapsed because they failed to pay attention to environmental warnings until they realized too late that they could no longer feed themselves. We depend on our resources. We can use them sustainably if we choose to.

It is up to us!!

HAPPINESS = THE NATURAL WORLD

HUMANS THRIVE IN NATURE

NATURE = HAPPINESS

• LOWER STRESS
• IMPROVED LIFE QUALITY
• CALMING
• RENEWING
• LIFE GIVING

Harvard Biologist E.O. Wilson hypothosized that we thrive in the presence of nature and suffer in its absence. Proof of this theory is that nature is reflected in the modern world in art, where people want to live, the plants and animals we keep indoors with us, and desired vacations to natural environments.

Some people believe that the natural world and spirituality are linked. Studies show that a view of nature outside a window is good for health, being out in nature can lower stress, pets are also good for health and improve quality of life.

It is also obvious that we need clean air and water for happiness and survival.

In my own life, I long to live near a lake with trees and mountains or by the ocean. Nature is calming and restoring. Currently, I spend time taking walks and looking out my windows to take in what I can. Even the sound of rain outside my window is appealing.

In order for future generations to have access to the nature we enjoy today the world must change its current path of destruction toward a sustainable future.

Ecological sustainability will require a change in our economic focus away from consumerism and towards a new green economy.

10 Motivational Ideas To Stay Green

You've been doing great and then...

burnout

You need some motivation to stay on track with your new sustainable mind-set.

Here are some things you can do:

1. Consider options in terms of how you could change your behaviors- experiment with different ideas- like walking to the supermarket or biking to the library. Also, make things easy -like having cloth washcloths handy or install lights that turn off on a timer, etc.

2. Find supportive relationships with like-minded friends (in person and online)

3. Identify how you rationalize

4. Focus on the benefits

5. See it as a fun challenge

6. Make your commitment public

7. Slow down your schedule to incorporate sustainable plans and mindful thinking

8. Create a new vision of your life and behaviors

9. Learn from your mistakes

10. Keep a record of your progress- reward yourself in a healthy way

Remember to support others as they support you!

What To Do When Your Spouse (Best Friend, Boyfriend, Parents, Neighbor, etc.) Isn't Sustainable and How To Influence Others

Sustainability: Spread the word, man...

But how do you spread the word when your own loved ones are resistant to change?

Here are 10 ideas to influence those around you...

1. Frame your message right -using messages framed to a specific audience (i.e. think about the values that are important to them).

2. Use nudges - help our short-term brains make better long-term decisions (i.e. convenient ways to be more environmentally-friendly like a sensor that turns off all your power when you leave the house)

3. Create group effects (people respond better when they feel it is a group decision, or when they get information as a group rather than an individual)

4. Talk up exciting new technologies or products that are sustainable (i.e. the 2011 Chevy Volt).

5. Support and promote policies that promote change (such as tax discounts for those that own hybrids). Actively support incentives, fines and taxes that support sustainability.

6. Find some like-minded friends that you and your non-green friend or family member can socialize with so you are not alone. Sometimes if more than one person shares the same ideas they are given more weight.

7. Look for opportunities to share pieces of the issue based on disturbances that come up in their life (i.e. high gas prices, a polluted air, land or lake you visit). Any concern they have that might be related to these issues might be a good opportunity.

8. Share your personal commitment to sustainability. You can lead by example. You can show how easy it is and how it benefits your life. Focus on common ground (i.e. health, money savings, community and family benefits).

4. Once others are open to listening you can start building more and more awareness of the issue. You can share appropriate videos, blogs, books or flyers. You can make them aware of how their actions affect sustainability directly.

5. You can continue to provide information as well as answer questions. Don't stop pointing out the benefits.

6. Provide emotional inspiration. This can be done by linking the sustainability movement to a moral or spiritual perspective. Share inspirational stories. Share your concerns about the global consequences of not living in a sustainable way.

7. Participate in a rigorous communication program in your community (information on TV, flyers in the mail, billboards, promotions, blogs, news reports, door-to-door) that encourage recycling and discourage unsustainable consumption and explain why it is discouraged.

8. Get your local church involved. Join an ecological association. Volunteer to provide sustainability programs/presentations in your kid's school. The more people in your community who are on-board the faster it will spread.

9. Make it a cool thing to be seen doing - spin it in a positive, fun light instead of a boring, difficult light. Be creative with fashions from the thrift store, or share how you refurbished your old furniture or repaired your kid's jeans or toys.

10. Make it a family effort to recycle, compost, garden, bike ride, and enjoy nature.

In terms of communication- it is much more influential to communicate awareness to your non-green friend or family member concerning the positive environmental feelings and behaviors of friends, family members, neighbors, and communities (i.e. all your neighbors recycle) rather than communicating only about environmental awareness (how it will affect the earth) or how it will affect future generations. This is because general environmental attitudes are more persuasive than specific knowledge.

People don't want to feel like they are the odd one out. If everyone is doing it than they want to do it to.

We want to be the ones in the middle of the party, not the lone strangers that don't quite fit in.

This is an urgent message- let's get the word out.