Thursday, Apr 22, 2010
A self-described 鈥済uilty New York liberal,鈥 Colin Beavan decided to practice what he preached, completely eliminating his personal impact on the environment for the next year. That meant eating vegetarian, buying only local food, and turning off the refrigerator. It also meant no elevators, no television, no cars, buses, or airplanes, no toxic cleaning products, no electricity, no material consumption, and no garbage.
None of this represented a major problem 鈥 at least for Beavan himself. But he and his family live in Manhattan, so when, as he calls her, his 鈥渆spresso-guzzling, retail-worshipping鈥 wife, Michelle, and their 2-year-old daughter were dragged into the fray, the No Impact Project had an unforeseen impact of its own.
As part of Rider鈥檚 Earth Day, Beavan shared his experience with the No Impact Project, his book, the film, and the consequences of his efforts on April 22 in the Bart Luedeke Center. Prior to his lecture, the 小优视频 Green Film Series presented his film, No Impact Man, that captured the Beavan family鈥檚 52-week effort to essentially eliminate their carbon footprint challenge. Beavan鈥檚 appearance was sponsored by the University鈥檚 Energy and Sustainability Steering Committee.
鈥淢ost people could not and would not attempt such an extreme way of living,鈥 said Melissa Greenberg, Rider鈥檚 sustainability coordination manager. 鈥淏ut I think Colin鈥檚 No Impact Project, and the things his family experienced, is one that many people can relate to, as they discover what they can live without and still maintain a happy and comfortable lifestyle.鈥
The documentary, directed by Laura Gabbert and Justin Schein, provides an intriguing inside look into the experiment that became a national fascination and media sensation, while examining the familial strains and strengthened bonds that result from Colin and Michelle鈥檚 struggle with their radical lifestyle change.
Watch the for No Impact Man, or follow Beavan鈥檚 continuing No Impact Man .