Using Less
Life has changed the world over. For more than two months I've been teleworking and leaving the house by car only once a week. We haven't bought gasoline since early March and I still have over a half a tank of fuel in my vehicle. I'm driving less -- this is not unique. It's the same for millions across the globe. The crisis response to COVID-19 has demonstrated that we -- the citizens of planet Earth -- are capable of drastically changing behavior when life is on the line.
I thought about this as I finished reading Hope Jahren's new book The Story of More. A book about climate change. She explores the drive for 'more' and its contribution to increased climate change. She highlights what's changed the past 50 years -- since 1969 -- the year of her birth.
A scientist, Jahren has converted decades of research and data into a highly readable 200 page book on what is a complex topic. In the appendix, she shares 11 pages of sources and suggested reading for anyone who wants to dig deeper. The book is not an in-depth, exhaustive, or overwhelming examination of the issue. It's an accessible starter for anyone who wants to understand the issue more.
In The Story of More Jahren writes about climate change through the lens of life, food, energy, and planet Earth. She touches on growing population, food production (plant, animal and sea), fossil fuels consumption, increasing temperatures, melting ice, and rising oceans. Each chapter begins with an easily relatable personal anecdote.
The situation is serious. But what I appreciate about Jahren's book is that you don't feel hopeless after reading it. We can all embrace Jahren's simple message: Use Less and Share More. I can choose where and how I spend my money; how I spend my time; how often I drive on non-work days; and how much energy I use. I can choose less over more.
At the book's conclusion, Jahren asks the reader to do three things. Examine your values, gather information, and align your actions with your values.
Did you know that the United States makes up 4 percent of the global population and yet we use 15 percent of the world's energy production and 20 percent of it's electricity?! As I was reading her book I thought immediately of actions I can take to curb some of my own energy use. For example:
- Hang dry clothes. Something we already do and will easily continue back home in Arizona.
- Limit car trips to town. Our trips to town back in Arizona will either be 28 or 80 miles round trip depending on where we go. Driving will be part of our lives but we can be intentional. Ensuring we maximize each trip and limit needless ones.
- Telework. I have enjoyed working from home these past few months. In my nearly 20 year career I have never had the opportunity to work from home. For industries where it's possible -- what if we all continued to telework one day a week. A kind of meatless Monday but for the morning and evening commute and for the planet.
- Heating and Cooling. Could we keep the house a bit cooler during the winter and a bit warmer during the summer? Just by a degree or two. Maybe wait a bit longer too before turning on the AC or the heater.
In the debates surrounding climate change are you all hearing anyone talk to you directly? I think there was a campaign decades ago about turning off lights and conserving energy but I don't hear that any more. Perhaps while everyone is living through the reality of driving less, traveling less, consuming less -- now is the time to read The Story of More.
Maybe this can be a seminal moment. Photos and articles on the internet highlight what a few months of "less" has meant for air quality. It's even noticeable from space.
There is that saying about the butterfly flapping its wings on one side of the earth and creating a series of events that result in a storm on the other side of the globe. If a single butterfly can have that type of impact on the environment. Just think what the individual actions of millions might have. Now is the right time to read The Story of More. I hope you will.
I thought about this as I finished reading Hope Jahren's new book The Story of More. A book about climate change. She explores the drive for 'more' and its contribution to increased climate change. She highlights what's changed the past 50 years -- since 1969 -- the year of her birth.
In The Story of More Jahren writes about climate change through the lens of life, food, energy, and planet Earth. She touches on growing population, food production (plant, animal and sea), fossil fuels consumption, increasing temperatures, melting ice, and rising oceans. Each chapter begins with an easily relatable personal anecdote.
The situation is serious. But what I appreciate about Jahren's book is that you don't feel hopeless after reading it. We can all embrace Jahren's simple message: Use Less and Share More. I can choose where and how I spend my money; how I spend my time; how often I drive on non-work days; and how much energy I use. I can choose less over more.
At the book's conclusion, Jahren asks the reader to do three things. Examine your values, gather information, and align your actions with your values.
Did you know that the United States makes up 4 percent of the global population and yet we use 15 percent of the world's energy production and 20 percent of it's electricity?! As I was reading her book I thought immediately of actions I can take to curb some of my own energy use. For example:
- Hang dry clothes. Something we already do and will easily continue back home in Arizona.
- Limit car trips to town. Our trips to town back in Arizona will either be 28 or 80 miles round trip depending on where we go. Driving will be part of our lives but we can be intentional. Ensuring we maximize each trip and limit needless ones.
- Telework. I have enjoyed working from home these past few months. In my nearly 20 year career I have never had the opportunity to work from home. For industries where it's possible -- what if we all continued to telework one day a week. A kind of meatless Monday but for the morning and evening commute and for the planet.
- Heating and Cooling. Could we keep the house a bit cooler during the winter and a bit warmer during the summer? Just by a degree or two. Maybe wait a bit longer too before turning on the AC or the heater.
In the debates surrounding climate change are you all hearing anyone talk to you directly? I think there was a campaign decades ago about turning off lights and conserving energy but I don't hear that any more. Perhaps while everyone is living through the reality of driving less, traveling less, consuming less -- now is the time to read The Story of More.
Maybe this can be a seminal moment. Photos and articles on the internet highlight what a few months of "less" has meant for air quality. It's even noticeable from space.
There is that saying about the butterfly flapping its wings on one side of the earth and creating a series of events that result in a storm on the other side of the globe. If a single butterfly can have that type of impact on the environment. Just think what the individual actions of millions might have. Now is the right time to read The Story of More. I hope you will.
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