X-treme sustainability

Here on Old Lake road, Phyllis and I take sustainability seriously. We are always aware of our ecological footprint, and given constant, unavoidable reminders on how to reduce our impact on the earth.

The key to our energy saving success is a weak circuit. I view the circuit breaker as a metaphor that sustainability is not an option, it is a necessity. It has taught me that what I once considered essential aspects of normal day-to-day functioning are really just excessive conveniences. Why have a lamp and space heater going at the same time when a candle will serve the function of both and not even require a plug? If we slip up and unnecessarily watch TV with the light on and the heaters going, the electricity shuts down. And every time that happens I say to myself 'size nine, live like a size nine' even though my foot is a size ten and a half.

Every energy expenditure is a tradeoff. Two space heaters, a computer, a bedside lamp, and a TV just cannot function at the same time. But when you take a closer look, why would they even have to? A computer screen can also function as a light. Simply tilt the screen towards whatever you are interested in seeing, and the screen will cast a moon-like glow on the target. Today, I took a comfortable walk around the neighborhood, despite the fact that it was thirty degrees. This was because I was dressed appropriately for the weather. So when I get into the house, I refrain from turning on the heater and simply leave the coat on. And the hat. Footprint just dropped half a size. This method also coincides beautifully with the Tao philosophy of conquering with inaction.


So maybe it gets a little cold at night, and maybe a toe or two go numb. But while you're just laying there, who needs 'em anyway? Like I said, we take sustainability serious. Dead serious.