A city girl's explorations into sustainable living

Recently I found myself unemployed, pondering what I should do with my life next. All the career books say, do what you love. Find your passion. Follow your bliss. As if there is an answer -- a solution that will allow you to make money doing what you were meant to do. Help the world, help yourself, and make money!

For me, it's not so easy. I'm interested in a lot of things, but nothing that I am willing to invest in enough to turn it into a career.

I'm what Barbara Sher calls a "scanner," or what Margaret Lobenstine calls "the Renaissance Soul." At least that's what these self-help books for the career-stunted tell me.

What I tell myself is that I'm a learner. And what I want to learn about right now is sustainable living. I have a feeling it's what I'm supposed to be doing -- even if it doesn't pay. Even if it COSTS money to do.

I am meant to be a student right now, exploring peak oil, the economic crisis, climate change, sustainable agriculture, community building, permaculture, natural capitalism, Transition Towns, rural sociology, and my own spiritual growth. I honestly don't know where it will lead, or what it will amount to, but I invite you to share my journey.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

The Natural Step Condition 3 - Applied to My Life

CONDITION 3: To not systematically impoverish by physical displacement, over harvesting, or other forms of ecosystem manipulation.

The third principal of TNS is to stop destroying habitats and ecosystems. This principal is near and dear to my heart, because I love animals and care deeply about preserving natural habitats and biodiversity. Recently, I installed two rain gardens in my backyard. The rain gardens will divert rainwater into my vegetable garden, reducing the amount of water I have to use from the city supply.

COMMITMENTS: Buy only shade-grown, fair-trade organic coffee. Eat vegan meals more frequently. Give up red meat Install native plants in my boulevard. Pick up liter near Minnehaha Falls and the Mississippi River. Donate money to Operation Migration, which is helping to reintroducing a second population of endangered Whooping Cranes in the range from where they were exterpated. Talk to people with outdoor cats about cats' severe impact on birds. Scientists estimate that cats kill millions of birds each year. This includes common species such as Cardinal, Blue Jay, and House Wren, as well as rare and endangered species such as Piping Plover, Florida Scrub-Jay, and California Least Tern. Volunteer for the Animal Rights Coalition at the Pride Festival on June 27. Buy organic produce as much as possible Learn more about permaculture; take a workshop from PRI Cold Climate.
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