Towards an organic life

It’s preposterous to presume that anybody can talk with any professional credibility about how to lead an organic life. But right now we certainly have to try…

I have chosen to expose myself, in the run of a normal working week, to facts and figures that move me deeply. Can anyone listen to our desperate biodiversity loss over the past 30 years and not go into mourning for the multiple God-created species never to be seen on the face of this earth again? Do we really understand how much we’re personally losing out when we do that to our fellow creatures? That we are part of the same body, Mother Earth, that we are killing?

So were does this leave me in my ‘organic life?’ I need to create a life that steps out of the line, courageously, from the mindless march of destroying the planet. If I don’t want to be in that army, I need to hand in my resignation papers, declaring loud and clear ‘enough, I’m out of here.”

joining the dots

So why aren’t all of us caring folk actively doing this? What prevents us from turning green talk into profound green action? George Monbiot said in ‘Heat – How to stop the planet burning” we are talking ourselves to death. Why aren’t we daily joining the dots and changing our lives in profound ways?

Problem number one is our culturally accepted norms and lifestyle patterns, which keep us captive in this destructive army. As soon as you step out, you see raised eyebrows and serious questions marks appear over your person and your business.

For example, I am invited to many green events, talks, expo’s etc. We have reported on the how to’s of green events. One of the biggest concerns is the carbon footprint burden that getting everyone there places on the Earth. So I make a point of asking, every time, ‘what are the transport arrangements you’ve made for this event?”

quickly quarterize your carbon

I love my bubble car. She’s light on petrol and I catch up on the news along the way. But does it really make sense that everyone drives to a ‘green talk’ alone in your car? No, I need to share a lift. If we are 4 in the car, it would quarter our footprint. Multiply this? Surely this is worth the effort of creating lists of who’s coming from where, and distributing those so folk can get in touch with each other and arrange joint transport?

Or I need to take public transport. This would mean sacrificing a whole day to attend a talk of an hour or two – taking a couple of trains and walking long distances. (Just what this body is longing for.) Jung said ‘Hurry is not of the devil, it is the devil.” So here we have named captor number 2. We need fast and efficient transport if I am to leave little bubble basking in sunlight in my driveway, gathering megawatts of solar energy.

So I ask the event’s organiser. Deadly silence on the other end of the line. I can hear what she’s wondering. Something in the line of … doesn’t she have a car? Kreeps, what sort of business is this? And off we go into the ‘not to be taken seriously’ file. No, I explain, I do have a car, but what about the event’s carbon footprint, and mine?

close the gap between c and o

Uncomfortable questions. How else are we going to get from point C to point O? From mindless consumerism to an organic life? Closing the gap between C and O in my personal contribution towards creating a more whole planet from disconnected shards of living and dying – this is our challenge into a greener future.

If we could take one part of our functioning – take one critical decision per month – we would be moving steadily in the right direction.

And spreading our steps around is what multiplies our actions – and creates ripple effects of healing, which our planet deserves. Boldly, unashamedly, do what you can.

Write to us about your green journey and share your insights. Step by sweet step.