Recently, I started reading a book that suggested that the big environmental issues, such as water, waste, air pollution, or climate change could not be solved by small individual actions.  The author argued that only the weight of governmentally mandated change would produce the desired result.  While I understand the importance of government commitment to large-scale change, I don’t buy the argument that we as individuals can’t make a difference.  What is a big issue, after all but the cumulative effect of millions of daily individual actions?

My question is, do we wait for the government to mandate what we already know needs to be done, or do we take personal responsibility for creating the kind of world that we want to live in?  Governments, even those with the best intentions, move incredibly slowly.  As individuals, however, we can start right now.

Sure, change is hard.  We’ve gotten very comfortable living our materially rich life-style.  It’s hard not to think we will lose something in order to gain a healthier environment.  Let’s think about this.  What exactly will we lose?  How about millions of electronic gadgets from television to video games which keep us tuned into someone else’s idea of life and tuned out of our own direct experiences? Or mountains of debt we’ve incurred to buy lots of stuff we really don’t need, instead of the freedom of time to spend with friends and family, enjoying the beauty of the natural world, or creating something by hand that is unique and truly useful.  Take a few moments to think about what you are giving up to live the Western lifestyle.

We know that our way of living is not environmentally sustainable.  So how do we change?  And why is change so difficult?   In a book titled, “One Small Step Can Change Your Life – the Kaizen Way” by Robert Maurer, PhD, the author states that whenever humans attempt to change from their customary routines, a signal is sent to the amygdala, a component of the limbic system in the brain, the center of emotions. The amygdala triggers an emotional response of fear.  This is undoubtedly a trait that keeps us from doing something really dangerous and life threatening.  It, also, can scare us into resisting any change.  The secret, Maurer says, is to take such small steps that we don’t trigger the fear response.  By taking infinitely tiny steps we can change, almost without noticing.

Thus the 10% solution popped into my head. 

What if I:

-Drive 10% less.

-Purchase 10% less.

-Save 10% more.

-Eat 10% less.

-Exercise 10% more.

-Use 10% less energy and water.

-Donate10% more.

-Reuse items 10% more.

-Generate 10% less waste.

-Spend 10% less time watching television or reading email.

-Spend 10% more time talking with family and friends

-Use 10% more non-toxic cleaners.

-Spend 10% more time educating myself about environmental issues.

-Invite a friend or neighbor to share dinner 10% more often.

You see how you can apply this to any issue in your life.  10% may feel like too much.  We all need to be aware of what size step might trigger our fears.  Start with 1% and work up.  The very first step of any change is awareness.  Just begin to notice how your daily habits, impact the environment.  Ask yourself simple questions.  For example, “What could I do for five minutes each day that would help me to create a more sustainable life?”  Ask the question every day for a week and let your brain roll it around.  Soon you will discover answers appearing as if by magic.

For me, my first 10% solution is to declare, “July, no buy!”  Just one month out of twelve in which I will buy only necessities, no treats, no goodies, and no great sales.  It seems I picked the right month to try this.  When I opened my email this morning there was a raft of “Fourth of July” sales notices.  Gee, and I thought we were celebrating our independence.

How is this green?

Reducing our impact on the world is the most important single thing we can do to assist our ailing environment and to improve our lives.  If you look closely, you will see that what benefits the environment also benefits us as interesting, curious, vital, creative, and caring human beings.

Your turn:  Share with us one simple thing you can do this week to make a more sustainable life.

Resources and inspirations:

“One Small Step Can Change Your Life – the Kaizen Way,” by Robert Maurer, PhD.

“A Reasonable Life: Toward a Simpler, Secure More Humane Existence” by Ferenc Mate.

www.care2.com/greenliving/change-your-spending-habits.html

http://zenhabits.net/2007/09/simple-living-manifesto-72-ideas-to-simplify-your-life/

Next week:  Use what’s on hand.