Things You Can Do Now

Michael Laurie, Island water and home energy efficiency specialist, had some valuable comments on part of what I wrote last week that I now realize was misleading.  For the purpose of clarification and to get the benefit of his knowledge and insight on the tools and theories that are already out there, I include his comments here.

“I completely agreed with almost everything you wrote in your last article in the Loop, but I disagree with some of the following statements in quotes: 

‘How do you solve a problem if the tools you need to work with have yet to be invented?

The solutions have to be based on practicality rather than theory because there is no theory.

In struggling with the problem, it became apparent that each locality needed to approach its own plan from the ground up,utilizing the unique resources inherent in each community.’

“While I agree with the need for local solutions,I don’t agree that the tools have not been invented or that there is no theory.  I think that the problem is not lack of tools and practical workable theories.  I think the problem is more in the areas of: lack of awareness of the immensity of the problem, resistance to change, being busy and overworked, not realizing that many of the changes are not that hard and can be fun, information overload.

“Last week, I had a great talk on the water aspect of this topic with someoneand she said ‘The solutions have been known for decades.’I totally agree.

“To me some of the tools are: weatherizing your home based on an energy audit, drip irrigation, compost, mulch, low water use plants, buying local, organic food, on site storm water control when possible, sustainable forestry, non-toxic materials, recycling, reuse, driving less, flying less,tele-commuting as much as possible, trying to live close to work,being more empathetic, considering the impacts of actions on others and the planet,always looking for the more sustainable alternative,some type of mindfulness and observation on a regular basis,and more.

“I think we all can do better on these things,but I suspect you know and practice most of that.Yes the details of these and other solutions take some workbecause they are not all obvious unless you have been working in the field for years, and even then the best details of the solutions keep changing and improving.  But programs developed by working professionals like the local Built Green and national LEED and others have worked out a lot of the details thru many projects.

And the soon to be released Sustainable SITES program, has some good guidelines.

“As for theories I think the usual suspects starting with Thoreau (Living Simply),and continuing with Gary Snyder (Knowing The Place you Live In), Hunter and Amory Lovins (Decades of experience with how resource savings is often a wise investment),Paul Hawken (How ecologically and socially responsible economics can be good business),Donella Meadows (A genius in understanding systems and change), Jane Jacobs (Cities and how to make them more livable), Joel Makower (very up to date on how businesses can become more environmentally responsible), Peter Gleick (Water), and many others have laid out some very visionary but practical theories to follow and build on.

“No offense, but I think when we say that we don’t have the tools or theories,we risk losing people who may feel that the problem is just too daunting to take action on,and if we suggest to them that we have no idea how to solve it,their support and action is very likely to slip away.  That said,I totally agree with those who say that some of the solutions  need refining,some of them are still uncertain, the best choices will vary from home to home and business to business,and after installing most sustainable type measures you need to carry out the proper operation and maintenance.

“But many workable, well proven solutions are out there with the right details for us in Western Washington,we just need more education, motivation, and action.”

Thanks for your comments, Michael. 

What I left unsaid last week is that the tools and theories we don’t have are of a larger, more abstract nature.  In an era of diminishing resources, what would a non-growth economy look like?  As global and national political and economic authority become less viable, how do we reestablish it at the local and regional level?  In other words, how do we transition into a new world characterized by limited and decentralized production and local decision making?  While we are thinking that over, we have to be following Michael Laurie’s  suggestions; the longer you wait, the harder it will be.  Regardless of what the future may bring, you will still be better off. 

Comments?   terry@vashonloop.com