by Tao Oliveto, Carrboro, NC

When I decided to head for NC, I lived in a small and borrowed motor home in the woods. I had recently left graduate school, embarking on one of those “to hell with it” journeys. Each day of those few months, I learned more about how freeing it was to want only what I needed and need only what I had. Even the confined space felt comforting. Ever since then, I have acknowledged and craved the kind of satisfaction of living simply and its welcome limits.

If small and simple living feels so good, where does our mega-sizing mentality come from? When considering the downscaling commitment of people like Jay Shafer of Tumbleweed Tiny House Company, who lives in a 100sq.foot dwelling, I am forced to acknowledge my return to excess (I live in 1050sq.feet). I even store “stuff” in additional attic space and own 3 bicycles! Huh? Perhaps it’s a virus that has spread through our culture unchecked and unchallenged…is it then passed down through generations as a misguided process of evolution? Or, is it simply a disconnect between our needs, wants and/or desires within a culture lacking in perspective? When it comes to living space, how much is enough?

Undeniably, our consciousness as a culture is rising. And, like most trends that run their course, our BIG habits are being challenged and re-evaluated. Alternative housing is attracting the interest of many, with mixed use developments like Greenbridge becoming popular and Co-housing, a community-based, eco-efficient form of housing, making smaller living both practical and fashionable.

Could small living actually be the big life? Is the “super-size” mentality becoming old and ugly news? Carpenter author and educator, Shay Salomon, seems to think so. She co-founded The Small House Society, whose mission is “to support the research, development, and use of smaller living spaces that foster sustainable living for individuals, families, and communities worldwide.” In her book, Little House on a Small Planet, she shows how saner, cozier homes provide an antidote to stress, build community and reduce our impact on the planet. Committed to both efficient design and use of natural resources, these people are selling much more than small homes. They are offering the luxury and value of a more simple life.

Unfortunately, there is no lack of the continued development of large homes for the affluent, but shift happens. Ask Gregory Paul Johnson, Founder and Director or Resources for Life (and another co-founder of The Small House Society). I love this guy - he may live small, but his life, career and interests are huge - check out his web site. He is a testimonial to just what can happen when you de-clutter, de-stress and detoxify your mind to make “space” for what matters.

by Tao Oliveto, Carrboro, NC

Jerry and I first saw a co-housing community in Asheville, NC in 2004. The common sense, community-oriented, space-sharing eco-friendliness of it captured our attention and our eco-hearts. We were already living downtown in a dense, historic area, but we wanted to take the next step towards living both more sustainably and more communally. We eventually landed in a co-housing community in Carrboro, NC. It is conveniently located just 2.5 miles from the downtown area where many local businesses thrive, including a food co-op and music club.

Here in Arcadia, we make a small footprint with 33 passive and active solar homes on 16.5 acres, of which 6 acres are preserved as forested and open space. There are no roads running through the area, only foot paths. There are no garages, driveways, or overhead outdoor lights (hello stars!). There is an organic garden, shared composting and a Common House with guest rooms, playroom, dining and laundry.

Common living means people living holistically in a small, efficient way, but it also means common sense and - sharing resources, ideals and even meals. Private homes include all the ameneties of a conventional home, but the neighhborhood design encourages both social contact and individual space.

Most people wonder how and why it all works, so here is a really good list of FAQ.

My experience? We have been completely eco-happy co-existing in co-housing!

by Tao Oliveto

As a yoga teacher and eco-activist, I was super excited when the first sustainable yoga mat appeared. After all, it made little sense that the mats we yogis were using to clear our minds and bodies were mucking up the planet. The most widely sold sticky mats are filled with PVC chemicals and non-biodegradable materials. I was totally freaked out by the smell that filled my studio back when unrolling my first supply so I made the switch when green and clean mats became available. My students love them!

Go deeper into the roots of yoga (Eight Limbs). and you’ll find the Yamas and Niyamas (the inner and outer observances) which include a commitment to non-harming. It’s not a stretch to match this with avoiding putting toxins into our bodies and our environment. Alternatives to toxic, non-biodegradable mats are now widely available from several yoga suppliers. I personally like the 100% rubber mats from Jade Yoga - they are thicker and stickier. Keep in mind that traditional cotton or hemp yoga rugs have always been great, especially for a sweaty practice, and will outlast any other variety. Encouraging your local studio to provide and/or sell these mats would be a step towards greening your own practice - inside and out.

The Green Yoga Movement became official when Laura Cornell founded the Green Yoga Association in CA, with a mission “dedicated to fostering ecological consciousness, reverence and action in the Yoga community”. Since then, yogis everywhere have come to realize the nature of yoga - that is, the obvious connection between the system of yoga and the ecosystem. They will host the 2nd International Green Yoga Conference in Watsonville, CA this year on May 18 - 20.

Epilogue: I can happily say that those first sticky mats from the studio avoided the landfill by becoming cushions for my reused/restored couch found while dumpster diving.

by Tao Oliveto, Carrboro, NC

I love shopping at thrift and vintage stores for eco-conscious reasons and for fun. But, if I do buy new, I make sure I’m buying Fair Trade, organic and/or sustainable products. I found all of these things at Bamboosa, a privately-owned company designing and manufacturing clothing locally from bamboo for men, women and babies. If you haven’t yet seen or touched clothing made from bamboo, please find a way to do so! Not only is the fabric soft and silky (bamboo - who knew?) but it’s also one of the most sustainable resources available. It’s a great wear - durable and naturally antibacterial - go ahead, sweat in it! Bamboo is one of the grooviest renewable resources going and you can make almost anything from it, from bicycles to toilet seats to underwear.

Speaking of groovy stuff that is good for the planet and you, don’t forget about hemp - it’s not just for hippies anymore and it’s pretty darn hip in the green department as well . I’ve found everything from shirts, skirts, scarves, hats, belts and socks to bags and jewelry. My most awesome find was a shower curtain made from hemp. No liner required - antibacterial, remember? Visit one of the many hemp dealers in your neighborhood or online.

by Tao Oliveto, Raleigh, NC

I have eco-peeves (like most people these days). My current biggie? Idling cars. I often see cars idling in parking lots or street side while drivers talk on cell phones or eat lunch. I’ve even seen people napping in cars with the engine running - in a closed garage, you’d be dead, so do the math. Is this about some ill-perceived comfort, a bad habit, or just another way to isolate ourselves from each other? (Sorry, defrosting the windshield this way is just as bad - I grew up in MN and scraping is a way of life).

So, I made an eco-pledge a couple years back to stop the idling madness - at least that in my immediate vicinity. I decided to politely and pointedly ask/suggest/plead/beg drivers to stop idling. Although I always try to judge situations according to my inner conflict meter, most of my experiences have been surprisingly pleasant. In fact, yesterday, I waved at the driver of an idling SUV (yes, he was talking on his cell phone). He rolled down his window and after saying hello, I pointed out that if he turned off his car, he would pollute less. He thanked me and cut the engine. I even happened to run into him later and we had a friendly conversation about creating new green habits.

Turning off an idling car may seem like a small way to cut down on pollution, compared to, say, shutting down a coal plant. Even the latest IPCC Report states that the changes we need to make to keep CO2 out of the atmosphere must be “deep and quick” and that climate change has a huge “procrastination penalty”. Yet, small changes made by many people can make a big impact and spread awareness (change a light bulb lately, anyone? ). Maybe we need to form support groups to help us change our wasteful habits - “Hello, my name is Sally and I’m an idler…” Whatever it takes, we can help each other shift perceptions and make big change happen if we’re willing to speak out. I didn’t say it first, but if you’re not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.

Got an eco-peeve? Take a chance, make a change, create a future.

By Tao Oliveto, Carrboro, NC

Style may not feed your soul, but it does feed something internal that both links us to our culture and to ourselves. Can you have you style and eco it, too? Thrifting has been around, but it now can make fashion sensible. Thrift/trade/vintage/consignment, whatever you call it, shopping this way saves resources, money, and tells good stories. Although the thought of shopping in a mall is my own personal idea of hell, I admit it - I’m hooked on thrift stores.

It’s not just about the clothes, but about creativity, experience and yes, style. In contrast, my self-professed trendaholic friend who can’t stay away from malls, lamented recently, “After all the money is spent, I don’t even feel that stylish.” Somehow, thrift shopping can move you more towards self-expression and away from following the crowd. Here are some of my recent fashion finds.

The more industrious thrifties may enjoy web shopping for pass-alongs and there is even a new site announced at SWSU that allows you to join a clothes swapping community, which is pretty cool. I’ve found a few treasures myself this way but coming to terms with the eco-expense of shipping has kept me using this option sparingly.