| The strangest thing is happening out in that magical | | | | working for money, accumulating possessions, and |
| meeting place called the Web. People from all over the | | | | damaging the Earth while never getting to know my |
| world are using Internet technology to connect with | | | | family and community. Not getting to enjoy the natural |
| others who want to leave many aspects of modern | | | | beauty that our surroundings have to offer, or ever |
| social paradigms behind. Small communities and | | | | encompassing a complete feeling of relaxation would |
| movements are being formed based around new | | | | be a great shame. This group believes that 20% of all |
| ideas on how people want to live in the world. | | | | Australians have chosen to downshift with the motto |
| Concepts like 'well-being' as opposed to economic | | | | that 'consumption is not the only way to happiness.' |
| profit as the purpose for life are being shared amongst | | | | This idea coincides with another site I read about in an |
| minds all across the globe. People are expressing their | | | | Australian Conservation Foundation magazine called |
| philosophies over the Net and the results are very | | | | This is a manifesto that questions the focus of the |
| inspiring. Many are realizing that they are not alone in | | | | Australian political system. It states that Aussies are |
| wanting to change the world for the better. | | | | three times wealthier than their parents and |
| Have you ever heard of ecovillages These are actual | | | | grandparents in the 1950's and yet we are not any |
| places where people of like mind are deciding to | | | | happier. This small group believes that a change in |
| cohabitate in a sustainable way that leaves minimal | | | | focus from a purely profit-driven mentality to one that |
| impact or ecological footprint on the environment | | | | values social and individual well-being is the key to a |
| around them. It is almost like this modern technology is | | | | better future. I've read about the country Bhutan which |
| helping us return to a time where people lived at one | | | | has the measurement GDH instead of GDP, Gross |
| with the Earth, while the village type of living must be a | | | | Domestic Happiness instead of Gross Domestic |
| great conduit for traditional close human relationships | | | | Product. Could we also need a shift from materialism |
| among families. These villages are popping up all over | | | | to one of a simple emotional prerogative? |
| the world; culture and nationality is irrelevant. This is a | | | | As this article was greatly influenced by words from |
| process of informed minds deciding to collaborate with | | | | the ACF, I feel I also must mention their website and |
| others to experience a type of life defined on their | | | | the section you can click on called Green Home. This is |
| own principles. Could the Internet itself have been the | | | | an awesome eye opener for other average people |
| medium of information and communication that sent | | | | like myself who would like to make a difference to |
| these souls on their quest for a new way of being? | | | | how we are living in our present lifestyle. It has |
| Another new movement that I've come across is | | | | sections like Gardens, Shopping, Transport, Waste, |
| Slow Food: and with it, Slow Cities. This group of | | | | Water, Energy, and Packaging, which show you how a |
| people started out as a reaction to the fast food | | | | small change in these areas of your life can have huge |
| industry that they believe goes against what eating | | | | positive repercussions for the environment, as well as |
| should be about, as well as its effects upon the | | | | your wallet! I had to stick that fact in, as I do know |
| environment. Now whole cities are calling themselves | | | | how necessary every dollar can be in this consumer |
| 'Slow' and altering their practices of food production so | | | | capitalist world we live in. |
| that wild and farmed populations of animals and | | | | Did you know that by keeping your car's engine in tune |
| vegetation are treated with dignity and with sustainable | | | | you would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by |
| biodiversity in mind to keep future human generations | | | | 5-15%? You can also save 100kg (220 pounds) of |
| healthy. There are currently over 80,000 members in | | | | pollution each year by keeping your tires at the |
| over 100 countries who believe that the eating process | | | | maximum recommended pressure. You can reduce |
| shouldn't be homogenized, taste is important, and | | | | evaporation of water in your garden (44% of |
| keeping rare plants and flavors alive is necessary to | | | | household water is used on the garden) by 70% when |
| keep the true 'spice of life'. I don't think any of us want | | | | you use mulch (leaves, grass clippings etc). Having |
| to lose the enjoyment of a meal that tastes different | | | | your appliances like TVs and computers on standby |
| from any other, where we sat for hours enjoying our | | | | power uses 11% of all Australian residential electricity. |
| friends' company, and where we know that the whole | | | | What a waste! There are many more facts on their |
| eating process didn't scar the world. | | | | site that will inform you how to have less of a |
| As I am currently based in Australia I have discovered | | | | damaging effect on the world while you're here, check |
| a few other concepts that I'm sure are prevalent in | | | | them out. |
| your nation as well. Downshifting Downunder is a site | | | | As you can see, there is a revolution going on around |
| dedicated to downshifting, or making the conscious | | | | us as we speak. It is a quiet revolution of the collective |
| decision to work less, get paid less, consume less, and | | | | consciousness of our species. New technology has |
| have plenty more time for the things in life that are | | | | meant that we are now becoming more informed (or |
| important, like spending time with those you love. We | | | | rediscovering ancient wisdom) about our interrelation |
| only have so much time here on our planet and I'd be | | | | with the world. Instead of rats racing toward the |
| quite unhappy on my deathbed to realize that I had | | | | cheese, we can become turtles enjoying the breeze. |
| spent nearly all of my magical human existence | | | | |