Slow Life, living slowly to save the planet

The Slow Movement is gaining momentum. But can it slow down the pace of our lives and become a viable option in this increasingly frenetic age?

Living slowly may be the best thing for our lives and for the environment. The economic recession and high oil prices have forced us to slow down the pace of our lives. We drive our cars at a slower speed to save fuel, our rate of consumption is showing signs of slowing down. All this can only be a good thing, because the harmful effects of our accelerated lives are many.

We run through life instead of really living it. Our health, diet and relationships suffer. We struggle to relax, to enjoy the moment, even to get a good night’s sleep. This lifestyle comes at a daunting cost to the environment.

“Anything worth doing is worth doing slowly. I feel more optimistic now than I did when I wrote In Praise of Slow. Slow Living will take time, but it’s coming.”
– Carl Honore.

Slow living is about stepping away from the fast pace of daily life to make conscious choices. Environmentally, this means replacing the idea that “you don’t have time” with “living with intention” by planning to consume more sustainably. We could spend more time cooking with local, seasonal produce that doesn’t come wrapped in packaging. This could have a ripple effect. Another idea is to set aside time in our day for mindful activity without screens.

When it comes to the impact of our impulsive throwaway culture on the environment, it’s clear that it’s time to tap into the countercurrent that has been moving in recent years. It’s time to live slower and make it fashionable to reuse, research and waste less.