ISSUE: Sustainable Living

Here is the first draft of a plan for moving from a modern life to a sustainable one. It is far from complete because I want a plan that isn't overwhelming (for me or others). It is also incremental, which means there is plenty of room for differences of opinion. For example, a case could be made that being a vegan shouldn't be on the list at all or that volunteering can't wait for Stage 4.

Anyway, here's my first draft. What's your reaction?

Transition: Modern Life to Sustainable Life

Stage 1
A. Food & Drink:
-- Eat more fruits, vegetables and nuts.
-- Eat less fast food.
-- Filter your water.
B. Clothing:
-- Empty the closet of unneeded clothes.
-- Give clothes to Good Will or the Salvation Army.
C. Transportation:
-- Plan ahead for smart car use. For example, use one drive for multiple errands rather than taking several trips in the car.
D. Waste:
-- Recycle whatever is possible.
E. Energy:
-- Turn off the lights when you leave the room.
-- Use energy efficient light bulbs.
F. Special Time:
-- Spend time with spouse or significant other.

Stage 2
A. Food & Drink:
-- Eat fewer processed and artificial foods (junk food).
-- Drink more water and unsweetened fruit juices.
-- Cut out most soft drinks and sweetened drinks.
-- Consume less sugar.
B. Clothing:
-- Only buy clothes you need.
C. Transportation:
-- Carpool to work whenever possible.
-- Make sure your tires are fully inflated.
D. Waste:
-- Buy products with minimal packaging.
E. Energy:
-- Turn down the water heater one notch.
-- Turn down the heat or air conditioner one notch.
F. Special Time:
-- Make time for your family.

Stage 3
A. Food & Drink:
-- Cook with good oils. Eat good oil/fat.
-- Get plenty of protein (beans, nuts, soy products, beef, fish, etc.).
-- Use sea salt.
B. Clothing:
-- Look for clothes made of organic cotton.
-- Buy clothes from thrift shops or secondhand stores.
C. Transportation:
-- Ride the bus or subway to work once a week or more.
-- Use gas supplemented with ethanol.
D. Waste:
-- Compost your food waste.
-- Reuse plastic grocery bags or use cotton bags that can be reused.
E. Energy:
-- Buy a hybrid vehicle. Use it as little as possible. :
F. Special Time:
-- Spend some time in meditation/prayer.

Stage 4
A. Food & Drink:
-- Join a co-op in your community.
-- Buy organic, non-GMO foods whenever possible.
-- Take a complete, food-based vitamin/mineral supplement.
-- Consider becoming a vegetarian.
B. Clothing:
-- Buy clothes that are not made in sweatshops.
-- Learn about community conscious producers.
C. Transportation:
-- Try to use your bike for uses other than exercise.
D. Waste:
-- Use a library so fewer trees have to be cut for paper.
E. Energy:
-- Improve the insulation in your house.
-- Purchase wind energy from your electric utility.
F. Special Time:
-- Volunteer.

Stage 5
A. Food & Drink:
-- Reduce the use of stimulants such as caffeine and alcohol.
-- Become a member of a CSA—community supported agriculture.
-- Start your own organic garden.
-- Eat more raw food.
-- Consider becoming a vegan.
B. Clothing:
-- Buy clothes made from organic hemp.
-- Only buy fair trade certified clothes.
-- Sew your own clothes.
C. Transportation:
-- Convert a diesel car to run on biodiesel.
-- Use bikes and feet as much as possible.
-- Look for work closer to home.
D. Waste:
-- Share as much as possible with neighbors so you can buy less. The more we buy, the more waste we produce.
-- Use a co-op to avoid buying plastic containers. Many co-ops allow you to refill shampoo bottles, peanut butter jars, spice racks, non-chemical cleaners, etc.
E. Energy:
-- Build a small wind generator.
-- Switch to solar power and solar water heating.
-- Become an activist for renewable energy production.
-- Use fewer electrical gadgets.
F. Special Time:
-- Go for walks in nature with friends and family.
-- Educate yourself by reading books on sustainable living (at the library).
-- Become an activist and share what you’ve learned.

Always search for ways to reduce, reuse, recycle and rot!