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