No Impact Man

I thought I might mention here a light, fun book that readers of this blog may find interesting. Outlining the exploits of journalist Collin Beavan who, after some time lamenting the state of the environment without actually doing anything about it, sets out on a grand experiment -- to see if he, his wife, Michelle Collin, their young daughter, and their dog could live for a year in New York City without leaving any sort of carbon footprint. The family's exploits included such steps as not making garbage, using only man-power to get around, and eating locally, which translated into spending the year without electricity, restaurant takeout, toilet paper, or motorized transportation. Ascetic as it might sound, Collin's book is filled with insights on the American lifestyle and what comes with giving it up. The complaints are many, but he recognizes the many benefits too, and has pledged to hold onto some of his newfound habits, even after the family's year-long experiment ended.

I mention this book because I saw it in the college bookstore at the beginning of this spring semester. Inquiry led to the discovery that Dr. Julie Daoud was using the work in her class on literature and conscience, and though I was not taking the class, I contacted Dr. Doaud because I had an exciting piece of info to offer. My friend, Amy, had just come back from New York on a trip to receive training from Mr. Beavan's No Impact Project, an initiative which works to bring environmental awareness and "No Impact Weeks" to college campuses and neighborhoods nationwide. Though Thomas More was not lucky enough to host a No Impact Week this semester, Amy did arrange to visit Dr. Daoud's class and talk with her students about the Project and about "lighter living."

I hope that, perhaps sometime in the not too distant future, the ideas and awareness brought about by No Impact Man can be brought to Thomas More by the No Impact Project. In the meantime, readers and contributors to this blog might pick up the book (or watch the new documentary by the same title) for a light summer read. It's worth it... and the book's printed on recycled materials, if you were wondering.