Years ago I heard Wayne Dyer, a psychologist and motivational speaker, question our society’s need for constant growth. I felt shocked! Growth is what we all aspire to – that’s what I learned in Economics 101 and commercials are always selling us on more is better. What made him think he could question something so basic? Blasphemy!
Now here I am, less than a decade later in full agreement with his questioning. As the push for environmental conservation has advanced along with natural disasters, we know the path we’re on will lead to ecological and human devastation. If you don’t agree, please note this article was not written for you. This article is for anyone who wants to take better care of our Pachamama, Mother Earth, and needs support on their journey.
Here are some of the common questions I live into as I think about Pachamama:
- Can I do anything to save the planet? I feel completely impotent given the scale of the issue
- Is it fair for me to have so much access by virtue of where I was born? What is my responsibility to this unearned blessing?
- What are alternatives to land fills, deforestation, and the hurt we’re causing through reliance on fossil fuels?
As it’s root, this is a question about money and values, more specifically what you and I value. Kate Raworth, economist and author of Doughnut Economics, explains how we can change our exploitative economic model of constant growth and extraction to one focused on sustainability and overall well-being. She writes, “Instead of prioritizing metrics such as GDP, the aim should be to enlarge peoples’ capabilities – such as to be healthy, empowered, and creative – so that they can choose to be and do things in life that they value.”
Constant growth smells of a leftover way of thinking from colonialism where we’d just go exploit a different country. There’s no respect for balance, for our interdependence. Whenever I demand more from myself than I’m able to reasonably give I shudder at the violence of it. As my self-love has increases it spills over to my community, to my clients, and to our shared planet.
Sustainability Frees us from Fear of Running Out
In Braiding Sweetgrass, ecologist and indigenous scientist Robin Wall Kimmerer tells the story of the Windigo, a legend of people who became cannibals because of hunger and greed. They roam around constantly in search of more and decimate everything on their path. This is another way to describe not only our economy, but also the way we often treat ourselves – as if we were only productivity machines.
Changing the goal from growth to sustainability can feel impossible, especially at the global level. How does it translate at the personal level? It’s embracing the magical concept of ENOUGH – delving into the beautiful feeling of being satiated. Personally, I would rather be well-fed surrounded by others who are also well-fed, than be at the top of the rat race with a wall keeping others out to protect my stuff. Have I mentioned I grew up less than three blocks away from the California-Mexico border? I’m intimately aware of how walls can hurt everyone…
What is sustainable? Examples for me include only having friendships that are nourishing, saying yes to commitments that embody my best-self, and investing my time, energy, and money in ways that align with my values. Heck, sustainability asks me to know my values so that I can live into them! What is sustainable for you?
A sustainable economy transforms us from consumers, to citizens, to stewards of this one shared planet. Although It’s terrifying to be with the awareness that we may have gone too far to stop climate collapse, it’s necessary that we recognize the reality we live in. To face this paradox, I am reminded of a quote from George Kinder, author of the Seven Stages of Money Maturity: “I can’t do everything, but what I can do, I will do.”
Unsure of Where to Start? Right Where You Are is the the Spot
Each of us can take steps towards building a beloved community, one that respects Pachamama, Mother Earth. It’s easier than you think. Below are a few ideas, but focus on what motivates you personally and lean into that!
- Focus on eating a plant based diet
- Change utilities to sustainable energy
- Use Environmental, Sustainability, and Governance screens on your investments. Check out Adasina for the great work they’re doing on this front.
- Support local farmers through Community Supported Agriculture
- Shop sustainably sourced whenever possible
- Join your local Buy Nothing Project to reduce the amount of stuff that goes to land fills
- Share with others your concerns to build a supportive community
I grew up with my mom re-using plastic zip-lock bags, not because she wanted to honor Pachamama, but because she is frugal and money was tight. When I visited Cuba a few years ago my sandals broke. When I mentioned it to our hosts they gave us directions to a shoe repair place, which I was surprised by. In the US repairing the sandals would cost more than replacing then, but in Cuba where replacing things is much harder because of trade embargoes it was unthinkable to throw away what could be repaired. Again, they were not motivated by ecological concerns, yet they also did right by Pachamama. In the US and other developed countries, will we have to live in total scarcity before we do right by the planet?
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