I have this love hate relationship with extreme environmentalists. The freegans, the compacters, the treesitters, the slow food preachers, No Impact Man, the tiny house guy, and the no plastic gal. . . they all dare me with their tales of almost superhuman feats, and I secretly envy their resolve. That’s the hate part. More and more, though, I have come to appreciate what they bring to my not so green party. Somewhere in my brain, their extreme stories are making an impression, and providing a much needed counterpoint to the habitual scripts by which I have been taught to live. It looks like this:
Bottom line is, more extreme environmentalists are needed on the right, to bring about the balance that you, I, our whole planet need. One hundred years of industrial revolution, to be dealt with, fast. In our brains.
Marguerite – I love this idea and I hate this idea! I want more people to embrace the fact that we cannot continue to live as we are (especially Americans), but when encountering “extreme environmentalists” they are often very, um, annoying. Extreme ANYTHING is a big, fat pain in the arse.
I live in an Ecovillage, in a strawbale, solar & wind–powered house, belong to a car coop instead of owning one of my own, and am about to open an Eco Inn & Organic Cafe (seriously). And I am very self-conscious about my behavior, and how I interact with others, so that I do not come off as “more eco than thou.” Friends and acquaintences alike self-censor around me, and apologize about the goofiest things – “oh, I used a plastic bag at the grocery store today” or “sorry, this isn’t organic” when offering me something to eat or drink. Ack! I’m not looking to change the world, just trying to do my best as I see it. While I do have judgements about the uber-consuming types, these folks are usually clueless. It’s the ones, like you, who are trying but still feel somehow not up to snuff, who I would encourage to relax. Keep trying, but cut yourself some slack. Being sustainable is about more than lightbulbs – don’t make yourself crazy ‘being green.’ Take it slow, do what you can, learn as you go, and be kind, to yourself and others!
PS Love your site!
I hear you…and yet I do not.
Why? Because I think the extremes always are easy to dismiss. My take on this is to make decisions related to conservation-efficiency-energy a natural extension of our lives …a decision that is taken as easily as Americans today hop into a car to get groceries. As easily as you buy bottled water or sugar laden juices/carbonated drinks and throw away the bottles in the garbage. As easily as people bought SUVs and minivans for 15+ years. As easily as people are buying power guzzling 50+ inch TVs for 10x the cost of what TVs used to cost not so long ago. I could go on… I hope I got my point across.
Perhaps its a futile wish and too idealistic a goal.. but I would rather see 50% of the people live like that than see 5-10% who live like the extreme examples you have quoted. Why? Because 90% can ignore 5-10% or the fringe 1% who behave in such ways. That approach has been ok since the 60s-70s when tree-huggers, Greenpeace activists, and other environmentalists have waged this silent “war” (peaceful sometimes, sometimes not) to spread the environmentalism message. Arguably, they have failed. What we cannot have is for people to dismiss the green movement as another exaggerated hyped-up
We (the green people) have the world’s attention and momentum now*…we could do better than lose our way with extremism. We have gone through an extreme phase of gouging ourselves with greed and throwing conservation and basic common sense to the winds. But lets deal with it, not with panic nor with extremism… but with the power of numbers. Extremes get the attention for a short while..but once the shock effect is gone, they are relegated to the fringes again. We cannot afford that yet again!
Just my 2c worth… not sure what you and others think about it… but that’s my take on this.
* I too attribute a lot of this momentum to the work done by Al Gore and his movie. At least here in the US, without his efforts, we would be no where. Even if it was another opportune timely political prize for the Nobel committee to give – like all Peace prizes have been – if ever a Nobel Peace was deserved, his was!
“when encountering “extreme environmentalists” they are often very, um, annoying”
Hell yeah. Anyone who expects us all to change, and when we say that’s impossible show us that it’s not, that’s bloody annoying 🙂
“It’s the ones, like you, who are trying but still feel somehow not up to snuff, who I would encourage to relax.”
I would never encourage anyone to relax, but I would encourage them not to stress. No progress is made without sustained effort, and this on occasion will make us sweat. But we shouldn’t be gasping for air and coughing and spluttering as we run along. And what’s interesting is that often we think the effort will bust a gut, but when we give it a go we turn out to be stronger than we thought we were.
“Ack! I’m not looking to change the world, just trying to do my best as I see it.”
That’s what changes the world.
Sanjeev writes,
“environmentalists have waged this silent “war” (peaceful sometimes, sometimes not) to spread the environmentalism message. Arguably, they have failed.”
I’d argue that their successes have been great. When we look at any issue in the world – human rights, the environment, whatever – it’s easy to see how bad things are, the great distance between the idealistic dreams of a few and the horrific reality for many. But rather than comparing dreams with reality to judge the dreams, it’s better to compare the reality of today with the reality of yesterday.
I’ve lost the link, but a recent article spoke of change as incremental and unnoticed, rather than “revolutionary” and overnight. Madam Speaker, Bob and his boyfriend, my solar panels, Pad and Marguerite – do any of those cause a “jolt” in you, a reaction of surprise? Probably not. Their flatness is the measure of many great changes in our society, in the role of women, acceptance of homosexuality, of self-reliance and/or environmental concerns, and of racial relations.
Forty years ago almost no women could become Speaker of a legislature, homosexuals had no choice but to be in the closet, aiming at energy self-reliance and caring for the environment was loopy, and interracial marriages were rare. But then we had twenty years of woman demanding better treatment, homosexuals working for legal and social changes, greenies being annoying, and people just getting together with whoever they happened to like and telling their parents and friends to go to hell.
Because our reaction to these things is so flat, we forget just how what a big deal they once were. This forgetting is actually the sign of a successful revolution – not an overnight change, but a change nonetheless.
When we forget how far we’ve come, it’s easy to see the future path as too long and hard.
And part of our journey has been small groups of angry people who are very good at being annoying. We owe them a lot.
Marguerite, I agree with you completely. More are needed. Many more. And, everyone else should stretch as far as possible to do what is possible to move in healthy directions.
There are no real excuses, or very few anyhow. Only choices.
Cheers,
Jeff
Extremists are an important part of any movement. They say that any small minority can make a difference as long as it never sways from its opinions. Extremists push people into new understandings and forge the way for important changes to be made. As long as there are a few “crazies” involved in the green movement, it will continue to thrive and develop.
Change yourself and change the world. My “extreme” act was to go vegan five months ago. To me it’s not actually that extreme, but watching other people’s reactions makes me feel like every meal is a sit-down protest. Which has its highs and lows 🙂
I agree with you again Marguerite and I think GreenOfficeBlog offers the best insight as to why extremists are important.
Sanjeev is also right but he doesn’t understand the drip that comes from extremists offering permission to less extreme people to make their own interpretations and start on the journey to change.
I used to work of Friends of the Earth (www.foe-scotland.org.uk) and when I got to meet Govt ministers I was often told that they’d meet FoE rather than Greenpeace because FoE was more ‘reasonable’ – but if it hadn’t been for the extremists at Greenpeace, Govt wouldn’t have bothered to engage with the green movement at all.
Sometimes extremism back-fires and alienates, but on the whole we need them and we need more of them.
Thanks, GreenOfficeBlog and Simon. For myself, as the no plastic gal, I’ve never told others they had to be as extreme as I am. I see my role as helping people see what is possible and then leaving it up to them to decide how far they want to go.
And honestly, I don’t feel all that extreme. I’m fortunate to live in the SF Bay Area where natural foods in bulk bins and farmer’s markets are abundant, and I don’t have kids so I don’t have to worry about all the plastic crap that parents have to deal with. My cats are the biggest plastic-generators in my life at the moment.
So anyway, Marguerite, the voice daring you to give up plastic 100% or waste or your car or whatever is your own. Don’t blame the extremists. We’re just being ourselves!
🙂
Beth
…
Marguerite, I have been reading you for months and always agreed with you. But today, I fear I disagree.
Here is why : How many people won’t change their lifestyles for one or two that will be eco warriors ?
You see, this is a big problem for me.
If ten of us decrease their environmental footprints and emissions by 90 percent and that thousands increase them by a tiny percent, the gains are more than offset.
I have been reading No Impact Man for months too, what he writes is very very interesting. But to me, having no impact at all is not feasible. decreasing it a lot is possible yet.
On a personal note : I have been looking for reducing my emissions and saved more than a ton of CO2 emissions by taking the train instead of the car this year alone and so on…
Even if I stay within the borders of the norm, I look like a greenie to many, including sometimes to my sister who doesn’t seem to understand why I am such a train enthusiastic.
What would be the appeal of these extreme environmentalists ? They dramatically change their lives in ways that will seem way out of line to many, and even to most.
I think we all can do a difference by 30-50 percent without looking like a greenie that wants to go back to stone age.
I mean, how many of us had some fun from hippies and so on ? Ok, having fun of people is bad, but yet, extreme – and even “normal” – environmentalists look just like that to most people.
As an example, I have been corresponding from Daryl at Verda Vivo. She told me that to her daughter’s friends, she looks like a hippie. Yet, to me she is a perfectly normal woman that translates her concerns for the environment into acts….
So yeah, I agree with Sanjeev…
Oh, and to conclude, I have a no effing way attitude toward extremes. So any extreme to me looks bad. And as I was told as a child the better is the enemy of the good.
It’s the dose that makes the poison, not the product or belief. It works for alcohol, work, politics, chocolate, drugs…
I hope I was clear enough for you to understand my concerns. On this, I wish you all a nice day ! 😉
Thanks all. Let me clarify what I meant.
For me the value of these ‘extreme voices’ is not as a model to be imitated. Rather it is in the purity of their messages that leaves, whether one wants it or not, a clear impression in people’s minds. Although I am one to advocate the path of moderation, I believe my extreme friends are playing a critical role in the collective consciousness. Without them to counterbalance our daily exposures to brown stimulus, we would continue on our path of self-destruction.
This is not unlike what happened with the feminist movement.
Marguerite, I belive (and please correct if off), what you are referring to as “critical role in the collective consciousness” is simply the diversity of people. Without the diversity (and with that the extremes), we would not be able to grow as a humanity for there wouldn’t be any checks and balances – an ability to measure our own actions against a seemingly polar opposite. Without extremes, our personal growth would be at a stand-still. A term I just used recently was “stability begets complacency.” Not in all instances but if you look at humanity as a whole (using history as our case study), much has been learned during “unstable” times. If we now take “unstable” and equate it with “extremes,” it’s the same learning environment. Yes, as you point out, they are very much required…but as others here also pointed out – within reason… They would truly be most effective if all (both sides) would be open to the notion of change – but then, perhaps that would eliminate the extreme…
i envy their resolve. a little bit fanatic and perhaps hateable but my word! i wish i could be that dedicated to ANYTHING. i would probably be graduated from college by now…
[…] greenies, the ones that walk their talk, and some more. I talked about them last week in my post on ‘More Extreme Environmentalists Needed’. They are at the forefront of the green movement, have been for years, and will continue to be, as […]
On my forest management notes page, is a comment about extremists like environmentalists.
I feel we almost need them, as well as their opponents, to neutralize each other. Either side of the extreme, is obviously “extreme” otherwise “extremists” would not be the word to apply to them.
So both extremes must have some good ideas. Say the tree huggers and the logging companies for example. Not just any tree logging companies, but the extremist factions. Although, the lumber companies are getting more responsible these days so it seems.
MDV / Oregon
I definitely agree with the more extremist thing.
The truth is, especially for a solid 8 year period in the USA we were exposed to right wing extremes everyday, new regulations and laws. Just biased news even.
We need people who are extreme, even if they are annoying. Because 1 extreme person can balance out another opposite extreme, where it may take hundreds of “normal” folk to neutralize an extreme otherwise.
The everyday person just doesnt know the real truth, and hear more from the one side than the other. We really cant expect these people to know better. At least if they hear the other side enough they will start to question it, and research and make more informed decisions.
I try to be non judgemental, I do eat organic, but I dont mind not eating that way, same with other extreme things I do. If you give me a chance to explain why I do it then great, because maybe you didn’t ever think of it that way. I try not to be pushy, but sometimes I think I should. Cause dont you realize, that everything you do to this planet, you do to yourself, and me and my daughter. . .
I find a have intense thoughts when surrounded by “normal” folk, like screw selfishness, what about the greater good. Wouldnt it be better for 100 people to be out of jobs if it make less crap was made?! I dont know, life is frusterating!
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