No Impact Man Summary

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Colin Beavan was a writer living in Manhattan who had the usual concerns over the future of the environment until he realized he wasn't doing much about it. Beavan decided that it was time he and his family did something to deal with the practical issues of global warming and environmental sustainability, so he set out on a grand experiment -- to see if he, his wife, Michelle Conlin, their young daughter, and their dog could live for a year in New York City without leaving any sort of carbon footprint. Michelle, a writer for Business Week with a taste for fashion, was a hard sell for the notion of spending a year without electricity, takeout, toilet paper, or motorized transportation, but in time she agreed and found that their new life was…show more content…
He tackles everything from eating only local food to giving up toilet paper, all in search of a clear environmental conscience. In addition to chronicling his struggles and successes, Beavan shares shocking environmental statistics relevant to the changes he is making, which add a sense of urgency to the lifestyle shift he demonstrates and advocates. Equally enlightening are the personal and sociological observations that Beavan makes as he becomes an outsider looking in on our way of life. No Impact Man is useful as a guidebook for changing your life, and it's an entertaining reflection of the life of its author. The most valuable aspects of the book are the many suggestions for lifestyle changes, ranging from simple to radical, that can be adopted by readers. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed No Impact Man. It encouraged me to make a number of changes in my own life, and led me to the realization that one person can make a difference if they truly want to. I would recommend No Impact Man to anyone who is interested in environmental affairs or simply wants to read an entertaining and enlightening book   Lynise…show more content…
For example, what were his “rules”? If these rules were broken, what would be the consequences? In other words, who would he have to answer to? Ethics – This has to do with having a sense of right and wrong. Examine Beavan’s absolutes within the context of his experiment. For example, he refused to take a plane. Why? (Please note that his refusal to take a plane could be used to support other characteristics. This is just an example.) characteristic emotional experiences – This refers to feelings or emotions. What kinds of emotions, explicit or implicit, are associated with Beavan’s experience? For example, how did he feel when he thought about the little girl with asthma from the South Bronx? material expression – In Christianity, crosses and the fish are used as symbols of expression. What kinds of symbols or objects did Beavan continuously refer to or use as a way to express his belief? For example, what did he use instead of a plastic grocery bag? What about his form of transportation? Sacredness – Religious people generally draw a line between the sacred and the profane. Where does Beavan draw the lines? Choose one of the areas and find evidence from Beavan's narrative to support your
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