16 Week Manifesto

Dear Beautiful Reader,

I am super excited that you are reading this-- one, because you are either someone completely lost in the worldwide web, which is pretty funny( no this is not the blog on Japanese woodworking techniques,) or you are someone who knows, and hopefully supports, me-- my english teacher, my friend, or my parents. But, no matter who you are, if you're here you might as well stay ....

So I am a high school senior caught in the whirlwind of figuring out my future (at least for the next 4 years).In my search to lead a successful life, and to not fail 12th grade english, I am going to  adopt a sustainable lifestyle. Now what does that even mean? I am not sure- I am looking to find out. 

However, what I do know is that 21st century living is high impact living. I know that we live in turbulent times and face major environmental problems. I know I consume too much-- too much electricity, too much bad food, just too much stuff. But, I know it doesn't have to be this way. I have a say... don't I?

And so in an effort to lower my environmental impact I am going to become a locavore/ minimalist. No, I don't plan on wearing clothes only hand knitted from locally harvested health. No, not that drastic. Well, maybe, you'll have to wait and see....

But why? Why change my habits?

I want to walk the walk and not talk the talk.

We live in an extreamely fragile ecosystem, but most of us live like the world is just for us. As a friend put it, "It's amazing that we actively destroy the processes that support our us". If everyone lived as the average American does, and most people wish they could, we would need 5 planets.
We don't have 5 planets....

So I give money to oil companies I don't like, and I eat food that has taken a journey halfway around the world only for the connivence of being purchased and eaten in the fastest and easiest fashion. Like an alcoholic-- as guilty and self-loathing I feel--I always come back for more. And why? Because change is hard, and in this fast-paced life we look for the quick and easy.
So here is what I'm going to do...



I am going to make a film that paints a portrait of my own journey towards sustainable living. I hope to lower my environmental impact as much as possible.

My focus is on these four questions--

What constitutes sustainability?
Can I "leave no trace"?
Can you?
Can we?



I don't know, lets go find out.