The Compact will bring down the Consumer.

San Francisco, the apparent hub of the American green movement, has a pocket of responsible citizens (who have a following elsewhere as well) who have made a life-changing decision. These individuals have chosen to avoid all consumption of the unnecessaries. Or to put it more appropriately, they have decided to whittle their lifestyle down to the necessities and not add the other junk that the American market has pushed on us ad nauseum. How refreshing to force the extra out of life, and certainly how money-saving! Check out their blog to catch up on the lifestyle, which is absurd to so many.

Their statement is simple:

1) to go beyond recycling in trying to counteract the negative global environmental and socioeconomic impacts of U.S. consumer culture, to resist global corporatism, and to support local businesses, farms, etc;

2) to reduce clutter and waste in our homes (as in trash Compact-er);

3) to simplify our lives (as in Calm-pact)

Furthermore, anyone choosing to take on this task can do it as extensively or not so extensively, or however much is necessary. That is the beauty of the Compact – it is truly a promise to yourself as much as it is to the future. This is not all or nothing. You can go as far as you want for as long as you want, but taking that first step to sticking with the Compact is essential. Tell your friends. It’s possible – if nothing else, it’s a start.

~ by madeleinehawks on April 20, 2008.