26 Jul Save the World – Start a Fad!

People like pretty things.

People like cute, sassy things.

People will do anything for their kids, and want to give them the best — the best stuff, the best education, the finest experiences. 

People like stuff that allows them to feel like a kid again.

People crave security and comfort.

People crave sweets.

People like to catch a buzz.

People want to have fun.

People seek convenience over all else. (Though they will go out of their way for something that's sufficiently pretty, cute, sassy, sweet, or intoxicating. Or for something that their kid wants.)

People crave novelty.

People can't resist competition.

Reading over this list of human tendencies, one might be tempted to conclude that the human race is doomed to extinguish itself in an orgy of consumption. A lot of us in the "green" movement have spent quite a lot of time and energy trying to persuade people (including ourselves) to override these aspects of human nature. 

And, uh, it's not working very well. All around us, diehard environmentalists are getting into their cars to drive to work or school, while berating themselves for not riding their bicycles. They don't want to arrive at work sweaty, or don't feel they have the time, or whatever. Comfort and convenience rule their choice.

And how many hardcore greenies are eating raspberries or pears from California or Chile today? Not willing to settle for the day-in, day-out of eating only what's in season locally, they go for refreshing novelty, guiltily looking over their shoulder all the while.

No use shaming these folks — "them" is all of us in one way or another.

(If you don't think this applies to you, you're either deceiving yourself or you're an eco-saint. People who know me tend to think of me as a hardcore green, and by most measures I am. Most of the time, I live the "Riot for Austerity" blueprint, which involves reducing one's footprint to 10% of the U.S. average. Still, I flew in an airplane to Colorado this past weekend, along with several friends, for a friend's birthday. I also eat (non-local) candy and fast food from time to time. As just a couple of examples. Yes, I too have, and indulge, those same human cravings as everyone else.)

R. Buckminster Fuller said, "Don't oppose forces — use them." That's also one of the core principles of permaculture design: Find the solution in the problem; turn problems into solutions.

So how do we use these "forces" in human nature?

Well, as just one example: instead of trying to convince people that they don't need to buy 1,000 additional square feet of house for each kid they're planning to have (a futile argument, you can trust me on this), how about starting a fad for mini indoor tent-rooms? Kids love to have a space that's all their own, and adults have a need for order and attractive design. It's certainly possible to accommodate both needs — as this designer  is doing with his new line of cute, sassy indoor tents.

And as another example: Instead of trying to convince people that it's an eco-sin to buy little single-serving packages of pre-mixed tuna and mayonnaise wrapped in plastic and then wrapped in more plastic over that, how about starting a fad for turning your child's lunch box into a healthy work of art? The Japanese are doing it in the wildest possible way. (The Japanese rarely do anything halfway, it seems. And they get downright competitive about it.)

Yeah, the typical time-pressed American might pooh-pooh this idea. Then again … People crave opportunities to exercise their creativity! And might find a way to work it into their busy day if it serves a deeper innate need … such as the knowledge that they are feeding their kid a nourishing meal … and possibly out-doing other parents in doing so.

The list of potential fads goes on and on. People like sweet stuff, so let's find a way give it to them! Otherwise we'll be working against human nature — which includes our OWN nature.

If we want the environmental movement to be more effective, we need to address more of the innate human needs and cravings mentioned above.

If you think (as I do) that human civilization is currently on a collision course with disaster, and if you think (as I do) that certain everyday choices are more likely to save us … then the best advice I can give is: Find a way to turn those choices into a cool fad. Or a competitiion.

On that subject, several of the city's greenest movers and shakers are developing a competitive city-wide game that entices people to get involved in addressing climate change through their own daily actions. I'm sure we'll be hearing more soon.

(FYI, I'm typing this on my cute, sassy MacBook Air; catching a coffee buzz; getting ready to pop a pot of hyperlocal fruit into the extremely convenient solar oven to make sweet syrup for a fun party that's coming up later today.)