Off The Grid?

I was surfing the internet today and I decided to watch some shows on Hulu. If you are unfamiliar with Hulu, it is a website where you can watch user uploaded content, as well as various television programming and movies. Much of it can be seen in full and there is plenty of interesting stuff on Hulu. If you get a chance, check it out.

I started watching an episode of 30 DAYS that originally aired on the FX network, called “Off the Grid.” The show follows two everyday people as they leave their normal lives to live in a commune called “Rabbit Dance,” which is an ecological experiment to see how people can live totally detached from the electrical grid. The commune recycles everything. That means recycling human waste to make compost for growing their food. There are no flushing toilet fixtures, as that is viewed as a waste of valuable water resources. All the buildings are constructed from natural materials such as mud, straw, and sand, or recycled structures serving as living quarters. The commune has some electricity from solar panels and they firmly believe in using compact fluorescent lighting (CFL). Even the gray water (water from bathing, washing clothes, and washing dishes) is recycled to be used for watering vegetable gardens. The commune works to be completely self-sufficient.

The show points out how everyday things that we take for granted can actually have a large impact on the environment. Even common toiletry products can have an impact. Deodorants, shampoos, body lotions, and perfumes all can have harmful effects if not certified as biodegradable or eco-friendly.

I admire the group’s commitment to doing their part to change the environment for the better, and it would benefit the entire planet if everyone would make serious efforts to reduce their negative impact on the environment. BUT…I don’t plan on giving up my deodorant or my gas guzzler any time soon. How about you?