Reenbean’s Comments (group member since Mar 31, 2012)

Reenbean’s comments from the Green Group group.

Great, Sam. Good luck with your endeavors and keep inspiring us!

Hi Sam. I actually didn't think your story was depressing but uplifting and energizing. Keep up the good practices.

In terms of making or buying your own clothes from organic plants, hemp is a superior fabric. Try to find product made in eastern Europe rather than China, where it is not grown sustainably.

Yes, I agree. I think I heard about that study too. I'm glad to see that there are a few of us finding happiness with less. :-)

Ya, it's a little depressing. But at least we know that we are doing the best we can within the standards of our location. Living your consciousness rocks!

Love the house with a tree growing out of it. I'll look for that.

Good topic! And thanks for the tiny house stories.

While I am a simple living practitioner, my single-family dwelling (for 2 of us) "kills" our eco-footprint scores--devastating! I notice that we probably use only half the house regularly so we could easily live with much less. Downsizing is probably in our future, but in the meantime, we are focusing on home energy efficiency.

What I love about tiny homes (including RVs/caravans) is the incredible efficiency of living and storage. Truly elegant sometimes!

Yes (to both Lynnm and Georgina), the disconnect is palpable even among the well-intentioned.

I have found the simplicity movement very appealing and most definitely not "austere". But I don't reflect the majority. Are we hard-wired for consumption?

Lynnm wrote: "Jimmy and Aiman - glad to see others concerned about overpopulation. It isn't a popular environmental topic because it is considered to be a sensitive issue.

But to me, it is at the heart of all..."

Ya, it's a tough one. I studied demography/population in college and agree that both sides (overconsumption/overpopulation) have valid points. Consider that except for a few pockets, higher population growth rates occur in areas with the lowest levels of consumption. So we at least have that. Ironically, while the education of women is the strongest link to a reduction in birth rate, higher rates of education are associated (in many cases) with higher rates of consumption!

I read a great book a while back called something like "how many people can the earth support?" Turns out to be a very complicated answer. I would also be interested in other books on the topic (on either side).

Sorry that I'm writing late in the game (was on vacation).

My name is Irene and have been an environmentalist/ conservationist since I was a tween. The influence came mostly from my father who would take us on nature walks in Chicago's "forest preserves" and always stressed environmental stewardship.

Also, political awareness of environmental issues were prominent as I came of age in the 70s/80s with the oil crisis and environmental degradation getting front-page coverage.

Most concerned about saving fisheries, adaptation to a new climate, living local, conservation, simple living, and sustainable transportation.

Thanks, Jimmy, for the lists and of course the Rachel Carson classic!

Thank you for the recommendation. I have seen her in documentaries but have not read any of her books.

I am new and interested in recommendations on authors or leaders in environmental movements who are women or books on the topic of women environmental leaders. Especially interested in recent works and "must reads".

I am Reenbean (Irene) and I joined this group because of a longtime interest in conservation beginning with a local "Save the Whales" campaign at age 11. LOL!

I am interested in a wide variety of related topics, both fiction and non-fiction.