Imagine this: For one whole year, go without meat completely, buy only local food, give up TV and basically anything that uses fuel or electricity (cooking, elevators, buses, taxis, everything!), turn off the refridgerator, produce no garbage, walk everywhere, use candles in place of lights, cut off all coffee consumption and shopping... and that's just the beginning. INSANE, RIGHT? That's what I thought when I first heard about this documentary. After watching it, I STILL think it's crazy.
No Impact Man is the story of Colin Beaven, his wife and daughter, a typical high-consumption Manhattan (and pretty well-off too, judging by their previous lifestyle) family, who take on the challenge of having "No Impact" on the environment for one whole year. The documentary films the entire process, from the 'before', the challenges 'during' and a little of the 'after', plus the typical spiel to inspire you to try out your own "No Impact Year".
Their form of transportation.
To be honest, while I'm sure the film-makers had the best of intentions, I couldn't help but think this idealistic lifestyle was unrealistic. How many people, especially in such a high-tech era like ours, can live like that? Colin and his wife are both writers so maybe they can get away with this, but I can't quite imagine what you should do if you work with computers on a daily basis in your job. I don't really know how to explain it in words, but the one thought that kept flitting through my mind during the movie was "Oh, these silly rich people". IT'S JUST THAT KIND OF FEELING.
And, oh my goodness, was the wife annoying or what?! Especially in the first part of the film. I know she can't help her voice, but it's just so grating. And all that talk about her Marc Jacobs and her coffee and everything. It's a good thing she became a nicer person by the end of it. Less OMG CAFFEINE OMG NEED THAT BAG NOWWWWWWWW and more family-oriented and down-to-earth. (The daughter was super cute!)
So the big question here: Did I feel more inspired to save the environment after watching it? Not REALLY, but, you know, maybe next time I'll try to eat more veg instead of pigging out on a steak. Maybe I'll use less electricity or something. I'll start small. Going one whole year without anything? Not yet!
But, hey, if you happen to watch this and it floats your boat, SURE! Go right ahead! Do a blog about it and link me to it, because I'd be really happy to find how how that would work here. Please change my mind! :P