Colin Beavan's Blog, page 5

The Senate decides to do nothing about climate change... and what you can do

I am so frustrated to have to say that the Senate leadership has decided not to bring a bill to the floor to do something about climate change this session. Here is what my friend Gillian Caldwell from 1Sky has to say on the subject, and I agree with her down the line:

I am furious and frustrated.

We're sweltering here in Washington DC -- living on a planet that just survived the hottest six months in recorded history -- and yet last week the Senate announced it plans to do absolutely...

Thoughts on creating positive change in your organization

This weekend I worked with a group junior staff at a certain organization. Part of what we did was workshop what could be done to make their organization more eco-effective or even--a word I like better--"regenerative."

The group elected four representatives to approach senior staff with ideas. I sensed frustration in them and sent them the note below.

Maybe someone else who is trying to create change within their organization might find it helpful, too, so I'm posting parts of it here.

Rememb...

Taking responsibility for preventing further oil spills

The New York Daily News asked me to write an OpEd about our individual responsibility for the oil spill. Unfortunately, they titled and subtitled the piece: "We are a nation of oiloholics: Instead of ranting at oil companies,
pols, let's look in the mirror." I wish they had said "As well as ranting at oil companies... let's look in the mirror." Because I think we need to take both collective as well as individual responsibility. It's not either/or.

I'd love to hear your thoughts. You can...

Heaven Knows

My friend Sean occasionally writes for the blog. For a long time, he has been searching for a way to live that makes him truly happy. He doesn't believe in the rat race. He wants to find a way to live that doesn't rely on stuff and corporations but on people and community. His thinking interests me because he, like me, believes that if people look for a way of life that is truly good for them, chances are it will be better for the planet too. Anyway, here's Sean's latest.

"I was looking for a ...

Act quickly! Don't let your Senator side with Big Oil!

Crucial call to action to save the Clean Air Act from 1skycampaign on Vimeo.

This Thursday June 10, the U.S. Senate will vote on Senator Lisa Murkowski's (R-AK) "Dirty Air Act" resolution. The vote is, sadly, too close to call -- and we need your help! The "Dirty Air Act" resolution would gut the Clean Air Act's ability to crack down on the dirtiest climate polluters like Big Oil and Dirty Coal.

My friend Gillian Caldwell of 1Sky recorded a video about the importance of this vote, and why we a...

No Impact Man now out in paperback--An interview with Colin Beavan

Hey folks, I'm excited to report that No Impact Man is out in paperback this week (borrow it from your library or share with friends a copy from your local bookseller, Amazon, or BN.com). Anyway, I've been doing a new round of press interviews so I thought I'd let you in one email interview I just did.

Why did you decide to begin this experiment?

In 2006, we had both the Iraq war and news of the melting of the polar ice caps. This was terribly depressing. On the one hand, we were fighting a w...

Crowd-sourcing our way to a better world

"I'm worried that students will take their obedient place in society and look to become successful cogs in the wheel - let the wheel spin them around as it wants without taking a look at what they're doing. I'm concerned that students not become passive acceptors of the official doctrine that's handed down to them from the White House, the media, textbooks, teachers and preachers"

--Howard Zinn

And as far as I'm concerned, it doesn't just go for the students. If we all continue to act like...

Help us help others to live better for the planet

You may know that we started a nonprofit effort called the No Impact Project. This is its most recent appeal. Can you help?

Imagine if for one week, everyone tried out the same experiment I did for one year, seeing what is important in life by stripping away all the things that clutter our world.

Well 10,000 people have so far. They did the No Impact Experiment, and have committed themselves to living better and lighter on the planet.

The idea is on a roll. Here's what's coming up:

Next fall...

Is there even anything to say?

No Impact Organ by Linda Ravenswood

Linda Ravenswood wrote to me. She said she had written a "fairy tale" after seeing my movie. I thought it would be fun to share.

Once upon a time there was a man who didn't wish to hurt anything.

He wouldn't have eaten his lunch except for the fact that his wife begged him: Please, what are you, trying to kill yourself?

You think that's not going to have some impact?

How will I raise the children and keep clothes on them?

Eat, would you?  You're driving me crazy.  

So the man who wished to do no...