Remember No Impact Man? We blogged about Colin Beavan and his year long extreme green experiment to diminish his environmental impact on the earth. That was two years ago.. and in September Colin is coming out with a book and documentary chronicling the experience. He talks to The New York Times about the habits he and his family kept and those they abandoned after the year was over...
They brought the electricity back, but still no air conditioners or fans; no dishwasher or freezer either. They're still avid bikers and gardeners and, while meat is still out, they have brought back coffee, olive oil and spices. As far as personal grooming, toothpaste was back but not shampoo: Mr. Beavan still washes his hair with baking soda and shaves with an old safety razor that comes with seven blades he sharpens himself.
The book (due out September 1) is mostly Mr. Beavan's account of his own experiences, while the documentary focuses more on, as The New York Times says, "the true hero of the experiment, Ms. Conlin, who gamely sacrificed everything from caffeine...to heat, electric light and public transportation in the service of her husband’s project."
Read the whole article at The New York Times, and check out Mr. Beavan's No Impact Man blog.
Related Posts:
• New Blog of Extreme Green: No Impact Man
• No Impact Man
• Low Impact Man Overexposure
Image: Chester Higgins Jr./The New York Times
© 2010 Apartment Therapy
moderation?
view SwedishChef's profile
This picture is freaking me out...is he photoshopped in that garden or is he a cardboard cutout. i can't stop looking at it. Its not right.
view labchick's profile
I think it's great that he got a chance to do this. Yes, I think we should live a life of moderation but at the same time, I don't see what the harm is in doing an experiment for a year. It could be eye opening or offer some existential answers to those that are questioning the path and habits of their current lives. So kudos to him.
And if he's not having meat, more power to him. I haven't eaten meat in 4 years and I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything. It's not a path for everyone but glad to see he's sticking with it on his own accord.
view graciela's profile
If he didn't have electricity, how did he post on his blog?
view AriannaKarlisse's profile
Labchick--it's just an "arty" angle that the photographer liked. I'm guessing that the photograph was digitally enhanced, sometimes if you bump up the sharpness especially a photo looks unreal.
view kuroneko's profile