The riotous story of a guilty liberal who snaps, swears off plastic, goes organic, turns off his power, and becomes a bicycle nut in an effort to make zero environmental impact
Manhattanite Colin Beavan spent a year trying to live without a net environmental impact, and he dragged his baby daughter and Prada-loving wife along for the ride (bicycle-powered, of course). In other words, no trash, no toxins in the water, no elevators, no subway, no products in packaging, no air conditioning, no television...What would it be like to try to live a no-impact lifestyle? Is it possible? Could it catch on? Is living this way more satisfying or less satisfying? Is it worthwhile or senseless? These are the questions at the heart of this whole mad endeavour, which ultimately challenges each of us to embrace green living.
* The publisher has aimed for sustainability in all aspects of this book's production. For example, the interior paper is 100% post-consumer recycled, processed without chlorine, and certified by both the Forest Stewardship Council and EcoLogo. Instead of a jacket, the cover boards are stamped directly with ink, and the boards themselves are made from 100% recycled and FSC-certified materials.
1. How a Schlub Like Me Gets Mixed Up in a Stunt Like This
2. Day One and the Whole Thing Is a Big Mistake
3. What You Think When You Find Your Life in the Trash
4. If Only Pizza Didn't Come on Paper Plates
5. How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint and Anger Your Mom at the Same Time
6. The Cabbage Diet Saves the World
7. Conspicuous Nonconsumption
8. Click and the Lights Go Out
9. Trying to Do Enough Good to Outweigh the Harm
Epilogue: Life After the Year Without Toilet Paper
Note on Production
Appendix: You Can Make a Difference!
Notes
Acknowledgments
Index.
