Since getting rid of cable, we haven’t reduced our TV watching at all that much. Truth be told, we found a nifty collaboration between Netflix and Wii where for $9/month, you get 1 movie in the mail at a time (so you get as many as you can quickly go through) and unlimited movie watching through your Wii – usually older or B-rated movies – nothing really popular recently, but still good picks. There are lots of other options, including seasons of popular TV shows, which we watch quite a bit of, and documentaries which we’re also fans of.
It doesn’t help that we were both sick and lying around lots (doc says I’ve got adult croup!), so there’s no staining of house, landscaping of yard or working on art these days. We’re eating lots of processed/prepared foods (too tired to cook!) and vegging out to TV. What can you do? We keep telling ourselves we’ll do better when we’re feeling better.
Anyhow, one of the movies available online through Netflix was No Impact Man. I’ve heard of this guy several times before, most recently while reading “Sleeping Naked is Green: How an eco-cynic unplugged her fridge, sold her car, and found love in 366 days,” by Vanessa Farquharson (a cute book where she takes on a new green habit every day for a year and documents the trials and tribulations).
So of course, I queued the movie up! My husband and I both enjoyed watching this family (really, it should have been called No Impact Family as his wife and daughter fully engage in the project) and seeing how they gave up electricity, made zero garbage and utilized their resources (they are in NYC which makes it convenient) and the surprising pushback they received. And while David and I strive to live green and have made lots of changes in our lives (that could be a whole ‘nother blog post), we were inspired by the movie to do more.
Afterward, we came up with a list of some more things we’re going to try working on:
- reducing processed and/or overly packaged foods (I need to get back to my DIY food experiments)
- order worm composter – we’ve talked about it for over a year; now we’re ready
- cancel all catalogs/junk mail and don’t renew the Sunday paper or any magazines
- reduce plastic wherever we can – we already are conscious of this, but slip every now and then when we get a soda craving, as an example
- use up bulk ingredients we have on hand and make more meals from scratch (I’ve slacked on this)
- watch our energy usage and maybe start using candles some nights?
- eat more vegetarian meals
In the movie, Colin – the No Impact Man – says that his goal is to get other people to think about their impact on the earth. Generally speaking, he’s singing to the choir here, but he still reminded us to do more without being preachy. I suggest you check it out (or the links above which take you to his site and blog, same for Vanessa’s). He also has a book under the same name. Check for his and Vanessa’s stuff at your local library!
You are right! The movie should have been called, “No Impact Family”! I never thought of that. But I did think, the wife should have been given more credit since she wasn’t ready to take on the challenge but did it. He was ready from the beginning and it was his project. Although she was whiny in the beginning, I thought she weathered through like a champ.
I’m glad you got to see it, albeit not under the best of circumstances. Hope you are feeling better.
This is a great list. Every little bit helps!
Thanks!