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| lilv:living [2026/04/26 14:29] – [What can I do?] Simon Grant | lilv:living [2026/04/27 07:22] (current) – Dave Darby |
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| ===== What is low-impact living? ===== | ===== What is low-impact living? ===== |
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| In a world dominated by a corporate empire that makes huge profits from extraction and war, we’ve reached a point now where the concepts of ‘progress’ and ‘development’ are no longer valid. Life is likely to be very different for the next few generations, with broken supply chains, mass migrations, [resource depletion](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/posts/the-transition-to-renewable-energy-will-not-cannot-happen-within-the-current-economy), [destruction of the biosphere](https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1704949114) (our literal and only life-support system), destruction of community, and more power concentration and war. There has to be a new era, of strong communities, local provisioning and shorter supply chains. We’re focusing on helping reduce human impact on the biosphere by providing alternatives to empire, via self-provisioning and commons. Adopting any of our [topics](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/categories/main) is an act of rebellion against the current system. | In a world dominated by a corporate empire that makes huge profits from extraction and war, we’ve reached a point now where the concepts of ‘progress’ and ‘development’ are no longer valid. Life is likely to be very different for the next few generations, with broken supply chains, mass migrations, [resource depletion](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/posts/the-transition-to-renewable-energy-will-not-cannot-happen-within-the-current-economy), [destruction of the biosphere](https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1704949114) (our literal and only life-support system), destruction of community, and more power concentration and war. There has to be a new era, of strong communities, local provisioning and shorter supply chains. We can help reduce human impact on the biosphere by providing alternatives to empire, via self-provisioning and commons. Adopting any of our [topics](https://knowledge.growingthecommons.org/doku.php/start) is an act of rebellion against the current system. |
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| There are those who advocate taking high-impact living further - accelerating growth and technology to colonise the universe, in case the Earth becomes uninhabitable. We don’t think it’s wise to destroy the biosphere of the only planet we know for sure has one, in an attempt to get to other planets. But we’re not anti-technology either. We can choose the [best of all ages](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/posts/wed-better-off-living-like-saxons-mod-cons) - natural homes, local organic food, internet and solar panels. But we don’t need nuclear power, genetic modification, space travel and high-tech weaponry, which are not ‘[convivial](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tools_for_Conviviality)’, promote perpetual growth, only benefit the few and create more problems than they (are supposed to) solve. | There are those who advocate taking high-impact living further - accelerating growth and technology to colonise the universe, in case the Earth becomes uninhabitable. It might not be wise to destroy the biosphere of the only planet we know for sure has one, in an attempt to get to other planets. But we don't have to be anti-technology either. We can choose the [best of all ages](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/posts/wed-better-off-living-like-saxons-mod-cons) - natural homes, local organic food, internet and solar panels. But we don’t need corporate nuclear power, genetic modification, space travel and high-tech weaponry, which are not ‘[convivial](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tools_for_Conviviality)’, promote perpetual growth, only benefit the few and create more problems than they (are supposed to) solve. |
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| It's not about 'prepping' either, which is individualistic, and usually includes hoarding weapons and ammunition to protect resources from others. We’re advocating self-reliance, but within a context of mutual aid and commons provisioning. Low-impact living will be more difficult for some than others - but there's something that everyone can do. | It's not about 'prepping' either, which is individualistic, and usually includes hoarding weapons and ammunition to protect resources from others. Self-reliance - sure, but within a context of mutual aid and commons provisioning. Low-impact living will be more difficult for some than others - but there's something that everyone can do. |
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| Then start gaining skills to provide things for your household and friends. | Then start gaining skills to provide things for your household and friends. |
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| Topics range from easy things that you can start to do immediately, to [building your own home](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/categories/main/shelter), [harvesting your own energy](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/categories/main/utilities) or [running](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/categories/main/plants) a [smallholding](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/categories/main/animals). | Topics range from easy things that you can start to do immediately, to [building your own home](https://knowledge.growingthecommons.org/doku.php/gt/buildings), [harvesting your own energy](https://knowledge.growingthecommons.org/doku.php/gt/power) or [running a smallholding](https://knowledge.growingthecommons.org/doku.php/gt/gardening). |
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| For each topic we provide a range of resources: basic introduction, books, magazines; links, blog articles, course, products and service providers; and experts to answer queries. | |
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| [Contact us](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/about/contact) if you’re interested in becoming involved with any of the ideas outlined above; or if you’d like to volunteer, work or collaborate with us, provide funding or help in any other way. | [Contact us](https://growingthecommons.org/contact/) if you’re interested in becoming involved with any of the ideas outlined above; or if you’d like to volunteer, work or collaborate with us, become a curator, provide funding or help in any other way. |
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| Subscribe to our [blog](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/posts), newsletter and social media channels. And of course we’d love you to send people our way in any way that works for you. Do you have any other thoughts or comments? We’d love to hear from you. | Subscribe to our [blog](https://growingcommons.substack.com/). And of course we’d love you to send people our way in any way that works for you. Do you have any other thoughts or comments? We’d love to hear from you. |
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| ===== Forum ===== | ===== Forum ===== |