unplugging from the consumer grid

Understanding that it is better to reduce and reuse than recycle, a growing movement of people worldwide are choosing to unplug - instead of buying green, or buying recycled, they're just not buying.

Worth considering, since each of us fills 30 garbage bags across this country every year. Many of those who have sworn off shopping (save for obvious exceptions like food and medication) say it has given them more free time, and that they feel more connected to their community.

Less time shopping means more time in parks and libraries. It also means more borrowing, which requires getting to know your neighbours.

For more, read this Earth Hour article from the Toronto Star, or watch Annie Leonard's online video The Story of Stuff via the link to the right.

Participate by Not Participating

If you haven't heard of Buy Nothing Day yet, here's your chance to join the movement. Founded by Vancouver artist Ted Dave and subsequently promoted by Canada's Adbusters magazine, this international phenomenon is simply an informal day of protest against consumerism.

Tomorrow - November 23rd - marks the 15th annual Buy Nothing Day. The first was organized in Vancouver in September of 1992 "as a day for society to examine the issue of over-consumption." In 1997, it was moved to the Friday after American Thanksgiving, which is one of the top 10 busiest shopping days in the United States (affectionately known as "Black Friday" ).

Despite controversies, Adbusters managed to advertise Buy Nothing Day on CNN, but many other major television networks declined to air their ads. Soon after, campaigns started appearing in United States, the United Kingdom, Israel, Germany, New Zealand, Japan, the Netherlands, and Norway.

While critics charge that Buy Nothing Day simply causes people to buy the next day, Adbusters' stance is that it "isn't just about changing your habits for one day" but "about starting a lasting lifestyle commitment to consuming less and producing less waste."

So, tomorrow, participate by NOT participating. Happy non-buying!

Adbusters >>