Selfsufficientish.com

I am spearheading a campaign in the UK called National Downshifting Week and it will take place between Saturday 23rd to Friday 29th April, 2005.

It has been designed to make people think seriously about the benefits of living a simpler life and and highlights many green issues, like recycling, reusing and generally being more energy conscious and less wasteful.

There will be a list of simple activities on the official supporting website, http://www.DownshiftingWeek.com and participants are encouraged to try one a day throughout the week and of course more if they want to.

So to anyone that asks, "Does my little bit really do anything?", I say, "Lots of little voices can make one almighty choir".

Be supportive, tell your friends about National Downshifting Week and drop me a line if you want further information.

Not sure what else you have planned but what about cycling to work or using public transport for a day. Cooking a meal for someone else who always eats convience foods. Keeping the TV and computer off for at least a day? I imagine you are pretty much on top of things though 8)

I like the idea but isn't calling it downshifting week a bit self-congratulatory. It sounds more like it should be called lighten your ecological footprint week or simple life week. Downshifting, to me anyway, seems to be for people who have led high flying lives to begin with and now want the best of both worlds. Isn't it the 'downshifters' who have forced a lot of people in rural Britain out of the areas they have been in for generations? Downshifters have pushed up the house prices to astronomical levels so they can commute to London from the Cotswolds. I'm all for people leading a simpler life but their isn't the room for everyone to 'downshift'. I may be alienating myself on this forum saying all this but I live in about as far away from the rural idyll as you can get and I intend to stay there.

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I agree with much of what you say, raygunn, I've seen prices shoot up around here, and some 'downsizers' driving around the area in flashy 4x4s, commuting to London and Cardiff. But my main quibble is, doing things for a day or a week, or for a trendy length of time, whatever that is. This planet is finite in size and has finite resources, and we all have to do as much as we can all of the time to reduce our ecological footprint. As soon as we label something we set it apart from something else. Environmentalist, hippy, downsizer, ecofreak etc. etc. implies that an ecological lifestyle means your 'one of them', and if you are not 'one of them' then doing ecological things is just something little like recycling your bottles to buy a clear conscience, 'done my bit for the environemnt'. In the middle ages you bought a splinter of The True Cross for your ticket to heaven. Some things don't change much.

I must admit that I get called a 'downshifter' and find it a bit strange as I have never had a high powered job and just get on with life. My life has always been a downshifted life to a certain extent. (epecially if down shifting means poor

To do what many of us do already do just for a week does at first seem like a waste of time. I think what Tracey is trying to do although will obviously get the backs up a bit of people like us, is still a good idea. From tiny acorns and all that. 20 years ago not many people recycled and most would have to travel to a bottle bank to recycle a can. Now because as a nation (in the UK) we are more aware most councils will have a kerbside recycling area. Possibly not the best example as it was probally decided in Brussels anyway but you get my point?

By getting people to do a little colectively many people are doing a lot. And if just one or two people end up recycling more and reducing their ecological footprint then what Tracey is doing will be a sucess. regardless of what label is put on it.

On a point that Judy rasied would it not be nice if the 4x4's could be banned? The people who drive them seem to be unaware that you have to look out for cyclist's when you reverse

G'Day All,

I have read with interest the debate that Tracey has started .

I would suggest that the townies relocating to the country (a problem here too) are not downsizing, but running away from a problem (partly) of their own creation and, not having recognised the problem, are proceeding to recreate it in their new location. Much to the disgust, dismay etc of the original inhabitants. This is not Traceys fault, nor is it a desired outcome for her (as I understand her motives).

From my observations of the people who contribute to this forum, they are either interested in reducing their environmental impact or actively pursuing that goal. Tracey has taken things a step further by deliberately attempting to involve other people, and for this I feel that she should be commended.

I thought that it was a particularly Australian trait to have a shot at someone who is prepared to have a go, but it seems that it survives in the UK as well. Unfortunately in Aus or in the UK it is easier to have shot than to have go.

I think that Tracey should be commended for having a go and for accepting criticism in (remarkably) good part which if it was aimed at me I would consider a bit harsh. We should be supporting such initatives, or better yet coming up with ones of our own (like this site!).

Well, that's my two bobs worth!

Nev

My criticism wasn't directed against Tracey, but the people who think that doing something for a day or one little thing like recycling, however good recycling is, absolves them from any responsibility, and of course the checkbook invaders who do less than play at being green. The only thing alternative about their life style is the location to their previous one. You are right, Tracey, Andy that you have to start somewhere, and getting people to dip their toe in is a start, and hopefully will make them think, and it is up to us individuals to put out the message. I worked as an attendant at a civic amenity site for six years in the latter half of the 90's, at a time when recycling was gaining momentum and popularity. But rather than feeling optimistic about the whole thing, i.e. that what seemed a little quaint greeny thing to start with becoming main stream, I have actually become rather cynical about the issue of recycling. I do of course agree that we have to recycle, reuse etc., but having observed people's behavior, and comments at the center and elsewhere, I wonder if recycling initiatives without a wider environmental awareness education is actually having a detrimental impact on the environment. Sometimes things have to get worse before they get better, and a major waste disposal crisis would do more for making us think about our consumption lifestyle, than having bottle banks etc. to get rid of a few items, at the present rate, just a drop in the ocean anyway. By the apparent cosmetic removal of a crisis, it gives the false impression that people are doing something for the environment by going along with it, whilst happily continuing to consume. Maybe I've read too many conspiracy theories, but it all smacks to me of the government (Brussels or wherever) introducing these window dressing schemes in the very hope that consumption will then continue as before, in order to keep the economy running, nipping any potential widespread environmental movement in the bud. The only optimism I have is the 100th monkey syndrome, critical mass, so yes, we have to press the message. Any change will only come from grass root level, governments are just extensions of big business, and anything they do has to be viewed with great suspicion. Just look at Codex Alimentarius, it will give you the shivers.

The point of National Downshifting Week, as Tracey has so clearly expressed, will be about interested people taking time out to appreciate the basics in life; friends, family, food the planet, and making a bit of effort, breaking the routine. How can that be negative? Sounds like just the kind of positive event that people living normal hectic lives can enjoy and make the most of.

Of course, "Day When You Cook For Loved Ones, Recycle, Realize How Good Simple Things Can Be etc etc", might be more explanatory, but "Downshifting" is THE term for changing your life down a gear, and it's what everyone uses to search the internet etc.

I'm sure there is truth to conspiracy theories, and justified cynicism about recycling, but, really we don't have to be all serious the whole time, even if we do want to make the world a better/ more realistic place. Life is short, so enjoy what you've got!

Well done Tracey for launching such a positive event.