In search of other values:
There is also someone like this in Hongkong, though in the eyes of most Hongkongers his lifestyle may be a bit "extreme."
Chow Chao-hsiang, who teaches at the Chinese University of Hongkong and who is seen as the "green godfather" of the island colony, has his own green philosophy: Don't live in the city, don't take elevators, don't go into supermarkets, don't drive a car, don't smoke or drink, don't use MSG or dish soap or plastic bags, don't eat processed food, don't watch TV, don't attend extravagant Chinese weddings, gradually give up meat, don't use paper towels, don't install air conditioning or window screens . . . .
After Chow's lifestyle was reported in the Hongkong media, it instigated a great deal of attention and dissension. Some said he is a "naturalist," or a "modern Tao Yuan-ming" [a Tsin dynasty poet who wrote of a natural paradise]. Others said he wanted to "drag mankind back to a primitive era," and was nothing but "100% opposed to urban culture."
In his book Alternative Life Values, Chow explains his own "off the beaten track values": "If we all agree that we need to reduce the wastage of resources, then there are hundred and thousands of ways to concretely put this into practice. If everyone could cut back 20, 30, or 40%, that would bring peace of mind and would be ideal."
Giving up a little convenience:
"Dispose of after use" is the main reason behind the overindulgent use of resources and energy, and behind the creation of massive amounts of garbage. In his book Chow points out that the level of material life and the quality of life are two quite different matters. He states, "We always criticize industrialists for putting profit ahead of anything else, and for being unwilling to absorb the costs of pollution without regard for the lives of the great mass of people. But we are very forgiving of the real criminals-- ourselves. The destruction of the planet is not the result of one person or a group of people being neglectful or not taking responsibility for their actions, but is the very philosophy of life and style of life that we embrace at present." The problem is, under a commercial system which pursues consumer profits, is it possible not to consume?
"Don't assume that it can't be done at this stage. Many values in the past changed just because of the passage of time!" Thus, even if green consumption is a secondary method, Lin Chun-yi still sees it as the hope of the future. He feels that green consumption won't be just a passing fad, but will exist along with environmental consciousness.
Chang Kuo-lung approves of green products as one way consumers can put green thinking into action. But going a step further to internalization of environmental thinking and behavior is not just being picky about what kind of bottle your soy sauce is packaged in. The spirit of environmental protection can in fact penetrate all facets of life.
Ever since entering the ranks of the environmental mamas, Homemakers' Union and Foundation Secretary-General Lin Yuh-pei feels that her own desire for material goods has declined. When she shops for clothes, she will first think once through all the clothes in her closet and ask herself if she really needs a new outfit, or whether she is just blindly following fashion.
Who says you can't change the world!
Looking back over the conservation movement in Taiwan, some private environmental groups feel that the impact of bringing together action in daily life with environmental ideals is far greater than talking about profound environmental theories. Only the application in daily life of ideals can allow even more people to participate, so that everyone will realize that environmental protection isn't so difficult. One need only make a few adjustments in one's basic living habits to be able to change the environment.
The basic view of green consumption is the admonition: "Don't avoid doing something just because the gain seems small; don't go ahead and do something just because the harm seems marginal." Realized in daily life, "it amounts to a series of choices. Before you consume, think twice, and don't just always be pursuing convenience and comfort," concludes Lin Yuh-pei. For example, when you buy something, tell the shop owner that you only need one plastic bag, and not to give you any extras.
From bringing your own shopping bag to remembering to turn off the engine if you're just sitting on the motorbike chatting to buying a smaller car, care just a little bit more each day than the day before, consume a little bit less, and do a little something more of benefit to the environment.
[Picture Caption]
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How is it that the grandmotherly wisdom of "cherishing all living things" has suddenly become a trendy environmental protection position?(photo by Pu Hua-chih)
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Ou Chi-fu of Hualien has the waters and fields as his neighbors, and is one of the leading" environmental protection" personalities in Taiwan. (photo by Vincent Chang)
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Environmental protection doesn't necessarily mean giving up city life. If office workers would carry reusable lunch containers, using one less styrofoam box each day, that would be ideal.
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From porcelain cups to plastic cups to paper cups to asking everyone in the office to reduce garbage by having a personal porcelain cup, we've come full circle.