How am I, a 25-year old, single gal, with a mediocre paycheck supposed to live a sustainable lifestyle? Raw fruits and vegetables cost more than a pack of 50 pink-dyed, frosted-covered cookies. Add in the "organic" label for produce and dairy and you can double the cost.
This is not an article against sustainability, but one absolutely for it. I've only really come to understand how much work it takes to live sustainably, and it just doesn't seem fair.
I lived in Raleigh, NC for 5 years. Whole Foods market was only 10 minutes from my house, bars and restaurants were within walking distance, the farmer's market was only 2 blocks, and my workplace was less than a block away. I could walk or ride my bike pretty much whenever and whereever I needed. Recycling was curbside. The median income there was $47,000.
I now live in Harrisonburg, VA (moved here for a new job). There are no Whole Foods, there is no curbside recycling (at least where I live), and I need to drive to work, because the road I live on is a death trap if you're on a bike. I tried to join the electric co-op, but the electric company has a tight grip on those individuals inside city limits. There are, however, tons of mountains, trails and camping spots within a 10 minute drive of my house. Every morning when I walk my dog, I can watch the sunrise over the mountains to the east. I love it. I can most certainly buy organic at Food Lion and Kroger, and I want to most of the time. The cost far outweighs my desire to live sustainably, though.
The average median income in Harrisonburg is $26,000. You may be asking, why is she bringing that up? Well, it says a lot about the resources a population has available to buy higher-priced, organic foods. If you're a single mome with a family of 4 on a lower income, would you buy a larger quantity of store-brand foods at a lower cost or smaller quantity of organic brands at a much higher cost? I heard a discussion on NPR's "All Things Considered" about how the prices of organic and raw foods cost MORE than the disgusting items made in factories in bulk filled with high fructose corn syrup and dyes.
Lately, I too have found myself reaching for the better deal rather than the better-for-you food. I take my recycling to the city bins, I make my own bread whenever possible, but I have a hard time accepting that the foods that are better for us, that could help decrease cases of obesity in this country and are produced in harmony with our environment cost more than those foods that simply add to the problem. I am unsure of the answer (accept that we, as a nation, could begin to buy more organic produce so that the cost will come down) and I appreciate all of the organic farmers who provide such high quality products. I'm still treading the line between becoming part of the solution and remaining part of the population who has to choose thrift over health. Any suggestions?
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Comments: 22
Back to sustainability: Do you need a whole house or apartment? Look at shared housing. There's lots of it and lots of market for it in a university town.
Hybrid cars are nice -- I have one -- but the replacement battery may cost as much as the gas I haven't used when it becomes necessary to replace it. And batteries aren't especially green. It does help with air pollution.
Sustainability comes down to 1] using less of nearly everything; 2] doing more of life's activities for oneself [which may entail buying some tools and learning how]; and 3] making choices which are responsible as a matter of habit.
For example,
1] using less: local foods and food ingredients use less packaging and transportation than processed foods and are more nutritious. Diodes use much less electricity than incandescent bulbs and will probably be available soon for 120 volts DC; any new flashlamps you buy should use them. You can read a magazine or book at the library instead of buying it; most libraries also have videos you can borrow. Cable is a luxury as are most services marketed by the phone company; ask for basic service. Maybe public transportation plus the bicycle is enough -- not as convenient, but enough.
2] do more of life's activities for oneself: in earlier times I'd have included normal maintenance on the automobile in this category but most maintenance now consists only of changing the oil regularly and checking fluid levels, which are both still good to do if conditions warrant it; if you have an oil furnace, learn to do the annual service; grow some of your own food; make your own breads; make your own pizza [if this is something you like]; a well-stocked freezer [or pantry] , filled with food you freeze [or can], helps you take advantage of foods in season, but of course, both take energy and time; provide your own entertainment by joining a group which makes music or puts on plays; trade hair-cuts with a friend; shop for simple clothes and/or buy in second-hand stores; learn to mend and repair clothes and other items you use. Old Vermont saying: "use it up, make it do, or do without" is often very appropriate.
3] making responsible choices: cheap isn't always better -- a well-designed tool may last longer and do a better job; being "in-style" in clothes or other items is rarely responsible; choose items which impact favorably on your health -- good food [what you eat at age 25 affects your health at age 45 and beyond], good shoes [no high heels or pointy toes], avoid artificial things which might be poisons [e.g. scents]; simple is usually better; but remember that many natural things contain poisons so a label claiming "all natural" isn't necessarily good or better; plan so that no extra trips out to local stores are required.
Yes, living well may require more money for food [after all, you are what you eat] and less on other things, in the long run. Look at your discretionary spending, especially the parts labeled entertainment and communication [which includes cable and high-speed access, cell-phone with a "plan" instead of "pre-pay", commercial drinks of all kinds [refill water-bottles to take to work and buy them new only when they're on sale if you need clean bottles -- there are filters which will remove the tastes in the city water there and water available in gallon jugs if you cannot tolerate the calcium], and snack foods of all kinds. In short, separate the "needs" from the "wants."
Regarding the 3-R's, the most important is Reduce; second is Re-Use; the least important is Recycle. So don't put most of your effort into the 3rd.
I'm right there with you. I see and know the importance of living sustainably and try to live it as best I can.
For many, they don't know there are other options. They don't have the time or the energy to devote to using their own tools or baking their own bread. Not because they wouldn't want to, but because they work 2 shifts to take care of their families. I worked for a store in Durham, NC called "Forests of the World" that sold only fairly-traded crafts and products mainly from Madagascar. I was saddened by how many folks didn't even know what fairly traded meant (Artisans receive at least minimum wage for their work; no sweat shops or 90-hour work weeks). And they certainly weren't going to spend $30 on a hand-made toy for their child when they could get a similar one at the mall for $7. I would try to educate them, but I can't blame them.
I think, perhaps, one of the questions that I didn't do such a good job of asking is "What is it going to take for American culture to come to an understanding that the three R's are more important than obtaining more, bigger and better stuff?"
What do you all think one thing each individual could do to start living a more sustainable lifestyle is? What can those people, who aren't aware of the three R's, easily incorporate into their lives to make baby steps toward sustainable lifestyles?
There are more and more CSAs cropping up each year. Some offer reduced shares for low-income families and individuals (like myself), and even more are willing to work out an installment plan so you don't have to pay up front. If you can split a full share with a friend or two, it becomes even cheaper. This was a super-positive experience for me last year in New York (a city, where, admittedly, there's not much you can't get your hands on) -- I was paying under $10 a week for enough produce to keep me and my housemates very well fed. And of course I was eating locally and seasonally. It was such a wonderful experience to do something so connected to my bigger ideas about food and community, and to be able to pay for it easily.
It's often true that choices that are socially and environmentally sound can be murder on your wallet ... but I refuse to allow that this kind of living only be possible if you have lots of resources. I'm doing a lot of exploring and hands-on research about this right now ... I 'm excited to see how this discussion evolves.
I just want to add that I really appreciate and commend your understanding of why lots of people don't or can't explore these options. It's very connected to the work I was doing in New York and to the shift I'm making in my work right now ... but I'll save that for another time.
peace
Lisa
Yes, it is difficult. We are living in very difficult times. Meanwhile, how we aim to cope: "Think Globally, Act Locally,". yheah I still like the whole 90s new age thing. But more so, I like being responsible for making my stuff work in the world. You can do it too.
I was brought up on a farm and nothing tastes the same as it used to. Chicken is so full of growth hormones that it is causing prepubescent girls and boys to grow breasts. This is a proven fact. The information was released on the Toronto news about a year ago.
My husband and I are both disabled. He is supposed to be on a strict low fat/high fiber diet because of his heart. I am supposed to be on a fat/high fiber/sugar free diet because of my diabetes. We cannot afford to buy good food on what we are receiving monthly and no one seems to care.
Buy the best you can afford. That's all you can do. It's sad that our governments care little for the health of North Americans. It's getting so that people that live at the poverty level cannot afford to eat, let alone do anything else.
Excellent, excellent article. This one should be featured on Gather's front page.
Most of our effort is in appealing to the worst in people and taking advantage of it, or in trying to avoid being taken advantage of ourselves.
In this day of fast paced and mobile life trying to do everything by hand by yourself of not sustainable, but what you do not do yourself someone is bound to try to make money off your need.
Sustainability will only happen when we reach agreement on how we want to treat the Earth and other people ... or how we have to do both of those to survive. Life is too fast to think about this stuff much anymore, the people who run companies decide to manage our lives for us and in the mean time to extract the maximum from our bank accounts, and cut as many corners as they can.
How can we be sustainable ourselves when the world is in the midst of self-destruction?
The biggest thing I have done this year is cancel my cable/dish. I no longer watch television. It decreases my spending since I am no longer hit with ads and I eat less because I am not munching in front of the tube.
The only thing I have been able to really do as far as gas is concerned is to pay attention to my errands and try to combine as many things into one trip as possible and do as much on my way home from work without taking side trips as I can. If I am in shape for it next year, I am going to try to ride a bicycle to work. The only problem is I live in the hills. I can coast to work but it would be uphill all the way back home.
Thanks for a great discussion.
we make most of our own food, no processed foods where we can help it, no fast food for sure (ick). it takes a lot of time. my parents and friends have gardens and we are grateful to them for all the fresh veggies! it is hard and a lot of work, though, to make things all the time. it is a conscious decision we've made, and i am glad to do it., but i don't see a lot of people putting the time that i do into it. our culture is too busy doing other things to make this important.
One thing people don't think about too -- you're less sustainable eating prepared foods. One of the simplest things people can do to lower their consumption is cooking from scratch.
I would love to find an organic fast food place. We used to have a place like that in Palo Alto in the 80's called "Macheesmo Mouse". With a name like that they could hardly survive, but their food was great - a style of California healthy Mexican food, burritos before they became wraps. Served all organic health food really fast.
Not drive through though, and did not survive ... wonder if anyone remembers them?
We have a chain here called "Hobee's" that is fantastic ... and used to the "The Good Earth" as well. It would be great if some place would be open late and serve good food too maybe drive through for us singles that do not know how to cook but want to eat good food and support organics.
I hate what I see happening with food and service in this area now even as at the same time there is more organic ... it always makes me wonder if they are just rubber stamping this stuff to make people feel good?.