Relevance: Cradle to Cradle

by William McDonough and Michael Braungart

     I've already started working through the reading list. I read Cradle to Cradle last week. It was amazing. I actually managed to have a friend who works at a book store do a Staff's Friend's Pick on the front display table!

     While I don't have any page noted quotes, I did find the book both inspiring and overwhelming. It also sums up what I have been on the edge of for a while--that doing just a little bit is not enough. To be less bad is not much better. While I found the entire book enthralling, there were a few items that I found particularly noteworthy.

     First, I have often wondered what happens to our "recycled" goods. I never looked much into, just felt that I should do my part. Hey. I already buy produce and meat locally as much as possible, I walk or bike to work, the grocery store, bank, etc always, I work on a CSA. I just figured recycling is another good thing that I could do. I was genuinely surprised to learn how little can be done with our already used goods. I was well aware that clothes made of recycled plastics can't possibly be healthy to wear next to your body, but I didn't realize that most of our plastic cannot be made into another peice of plastic as solid and strong as the first. Maybe this is naivete on my part, but I thought that science had figured this out already...news to me.

     Second, I loved the parts where they talked about the revamping of the factories. I think it is an absolute necessity for people to get into the natural environment however they can. Until people realize the difference the outdoors make, there will not be a major desire for change (and this is already lacking enough). Hearing about the worker who left the higher paying job to return to the factory with the sunlight and tree median was exactly what needs to happen.

     Finally, I loved the fact that it was so drastic without being drastic. It was definitely a new though process while still sticking pretty closely (perhaps paralleling) to the capitalistic society. While I myself feel that people should start learning to do more with less, to not want so much, to curb their materialistic instint (which can't really be instinct but learned behavior), I'm also quite idealistic in that sense, with much room for improvment myself. Many people are not ready for a drastic change in their life style. It takes extra time to walk to work or to ride public transportation. To limit where you get your food and what food you eat also make you think--the grocery store is no longe the easiest trip. These sorts of changes may be difficult (but still necessary). Many people might not understand this. However, they may be more willing to support the win-win electronic trading idea that the authors suggested (your toaster breaks, you send it to the maker, maker sends a new one, maker reuses parts/metal/etc). This idea, among many others in the book, could be readily accepted and implemented because it doesn't seem so drastic (yet it is because it's cradle to cradle!). Also, because the authors focus on envrionmental conservation from a quite economical sense in most parts, I think that their ideas could be accepted by liberals, conservatives, greens, buddhists, teachers, firefighters...Showing that conservation and health oriented living can be economical (and hopefully long term profitable) will likely end up being key to changing the way we make policy in this country.

     While they do recognized the fact that we overconsume,they are pretty straight in saying...LOOK. WE NEED A CHANGE. THIS IS NOT ENOUGH. Their focus on future generations and all people and species was especially uplifting. I am of this up and coming generation, and I feel strongly that we need to focus on the bigger picture, not the trendy green thinking. It's great that many people in my generation are "excited" to participate in the green movement. However, without the skills and knowledge to do so, we won't move forward (quickly enough?). More people need to realize that most trades and courses of study can be directed to be both environmentally sound and profitable.

     To wrap up this accidental essay, I thought it was a thought-provoking book. It's one of those books that I think if everyone read, we'd be living in a different world. I wasn't a fan of the fact that it still supports our extreme consumerism as a nation. I don't know that the authors support it themselves (I'm sure they give it much thought), but I do think we've gotten too used to too much too easily. I know I am not exempt from this. We're all working on this together. Regardless, the essay addresses our consumer nation by providing other, smarter options.

     I feel that Cradle to Cradle, The Future of Life, and Earth In Mind should be required reading for all of humankind. But that's just me.


Notes From Windward - Index - Vol. 67