The No Impact Experience

Posted on October 30, 2009
Filed Under Uncategorized |

By Lauren Ellis

Tired of hearing that we’re destroying the environment with excessive consumption and pollution? Frustrated because you want to do something, but have no idea where to start?

If you’ve been looking for a way to impact the environment sans the actual impact, give the No Impact Experiment a try. The project challenges citizens to go on a one-week long carbon cleanse, a low-impact lifestyle that filters out all the excess waste, consumption patterns, and creature comforts with a step-by-step how to do guide. The challenge recognizes that certain high emitting actions, such as driving your car instead of taking public transit, using your computer for work, are unavoidable. The point of the challenge is to assess what you have and rid yourself of what you don’t actually need- all for the sake of living a healthier and happier life.

Created by Colin Beavan, aka No Impact Man, this experiment is an exercise in behavioral change. Beavan and his family unplugged from the electrical grid, produced no trash, traveled by foot or bike, bought nothing but food (only locally grown) – living a carbon free life for an entire year. Beavan chronicled his trials and tribulations in his blog, and has released a book, “No Impact Man or The Adventures of a Guilty Liberal Who Attempts to Save the Planet and the Discoveries He Makes About Himself and Our Way of Life in the Process�? and a movie, now playing across the country. Beavan’s program is a carbon detox that promises to give you more time, more fun, a clearer conscience, and a healthier lifestyle.

The how-to-manual provides daily challenges, coupled with general ideas and resources. Day One challenges participants to decrease consumption, Day Two is dedicated to trash, Day Three promotes carbon-neutral forms of transportation, Day Four encourages conscious eating habits and grocery shopping, Day Five forces participants to assess their energy patterns, Day Six teaches you how to calculate your water footprint, Day Seven promotes community service, and Day Eight is an eco-Sabbath, where you can reflect on the week’s challenges and how the No Impact Experience has affected you.

The No Impact Experiment is more a way of life than a fad – and the how-to-manual is chock full of tips that can be easily integrated into any fast-paced, resource heavy lifestyle. The No-Impact Experiment is meant to educate and empower citizens on how best to lower their carbon footprint- no gimmicks, tricks, judgment, or excuses need apply.

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