So, yesterday, on 10/10/2010, thousands upon thousands of people at over 7,000 locations around the world got to work on behalf of the planet. People did everything from planting trees to fixing bikes to installing solar panels. This international action, organized by 350.org (follow the link for photos of actions around the world), will hopefully […]
No Impact Man
When saving the world threatens to overwhelm you
This piece comes from my Zen school's newsletter and I just thought it was perfect in the face of all we're dealing with in environment. It's a gift for all of you who are working to save the world for the rest of us. The first part is a letter from a student to Zen […]
Reuse by having community “free stores”
It saves resources, saves money, and builds community. What I like about this kind of thing is that any of us can start it anywhere at any time without going through any of the existing power structures–corporations, non-profits, government. It's pure citizen action that is both better for the people and better for the planet: […]
Thoughts on creating positive change in your organization
This weekend I worked with a group junior staff at a certain organization. Part of what we did was workshop what could be done to make their organization more eco-effective or even–a word I like better–“regenerative.” The group elected four representatives to approach senior staff with ideas. I sensed frustration in them and sent them […]
Taking responsibility for preventing further oil spills
The New York Daily News asked me to write an OpEd about our individual responsibility for the oil spill. Unfortunately, they titled and subtitled the piece: "We are a nation of oiloholics: Instead of ranting at oil companies, pols, let's look in the mirror." I wish they had said "As well as ranting at oil […]
Heaven Knows
My friend Sean occasionally writes for the blog. For a long time, he has been searching for a way to live that makes him truly happy. He doesn't believe in the rat race. He wants to find a way to live that doesn't rely on stuff and corporations but on people and community. His thinking […]
No Impact Man now out in paperback–An interview with Colin Beavan
Hey folks, I’m excited to report that No Impact Man is out in paperback this week (borrow it from your library or share with friends a copy from your local bookseller, Amazon, or BN.com). Anyway, I’ve been doing a new round of press interviews so I thought I’d let you in one email interview I […]
Crowd-sourcing our way to a better world
“I’m worried that students will take their obedient place in society and look to become successful cogs in the wheel – let the wheel spin them around as it wants without taking a look at what they’re doing. I’m concerned that students not become passive acceptors of the official doctrine that’s handed down to them […]