Low Impact Treats

s.kenney 2/14/11

As Valentine's Day came and went, we, along with many other bloggers out there, couldn't help but notice the overwhelming level of consumerism that continues to pummel its way into the American landscape.  

Our culture of excess  cannot help being painfully marked after traveling to other countries.  One of the joys (and pains) of traveling with teenagers is their "tell it like it is" approach to the world.  Basically, after having travelled to other countries outside the U.S., our teens are amazed at the privileges they take for granted as Americans, but also admittedly ashamed to become aware of how the world views  our pampered lifestyle.  Our needless excesses are causing us to be present in cultures around the world wielding our barely hidden agendas.  

The noticeable hype of Valentine's Day brought up a discussion about a documentary we watched recently called "No Impact Man".  This wonderful film is about  a "newly self-proclaimed environmentalist who could no longer avoid pointing the finger at himself."   

Colin, whom the documentary is about, leaves behind his liberal complacency for a vow to make as little environmental impact as possible for one year.  

He lives, however, in the middle of New York City. 

No more automated transportation, no more electricity, no more non-local food, no more material consumption are all steps Colin decides to take within a year's time frame.  The documentary also highlights his " espresso-guzzling, retail-worshipping wife Michelle and their two year-old daughter".  

This is a radical life-style change for this Manhattan couple just as much as it would be a dramatic change for each of us living in American cities and suburbs all over the U.S.  Even though the film is admittedly a radical approach, it hits home on so many lower levels that encourage all of our wheels to begin spinning. The film is controversial and many have called it hypocritical.  Yes, it may be on some levels, but can harm come from trying to leave a smaller footprint on this planet, no matter how small?

Our family was impacted not only by travel, but by this documentary as well. We are   continuing to look for ways to cut out our own waste.  We are very much the typical suburban family.  We wasted - alot.  We decided to do our own "impact plan".  We are certainly no rosy role model.  I know families growing their own vegetables, herbs and fruits, canning and baking without chemical additives, and banning plastics including the controversial diaper dilemma.

In our family, we began by eliminating toilet paper.  No, just kidding.  Won't happen.  But it did happen in the documentary "No Impact Man'.

We began by eliminating plastic bags, paper towels, excessive electricity, anything individually wrapped as opposed to bulk, perfumed cleansers,  ziplog bags, etc.  I don't possess a green thumb but am trying to seek out and support local produce. We organized a recycling room for wrapping.  Anything purchased (or received) for gifts gets re-purposed for another gift instead of being thrown away.  These may all sound so trivial, but for a suburban family like ours, completely used to this throw away lifestyle, these changes feel impactful in our home immediately.

For Valentine's Day, I was so tempted by the never-ending supply of consumer goods lining the shelves.  I wanted to shower my family with adorable packaged treats that would end up with so many wasteful by-products.

It doesn't feel like much.  Laughable even.  But, taking small steps feels right.  For Valentine's Day, I picked out my son's favorite gum drops from Whole Foods and eliminated packaging.  For my daughter, an antique heart pendant that she hung on a re-cycled necklace from her jewelry business.  Very small steps indeed -  nothing to brag about, but in our own way, an impact.  I wish we could do more.  I know darn well, we COULD do more.

Hopefully, more steps will follow.   We are toddlers learning to take those tentative steps that will hopefully turn into more confident strides as this next generation moves forward.