The Lazy Environmentalist – Drink Domestic Beer

Today we’re joined by… thank you, thank you… let’s all welcome The Lazy Environmentalist… thank you, thank you.

You all came here today because you want to save the world, but you also like sitting in your armchairs—which is excellent! The first principle of lazy environmentalism is to do less stuff. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves…

Today we’re going to talk about what we drink and how we drink it. So let’s begin with a beer. Not by drinking a beer but by talking about beer. But if you want to drink a beer, that is okay, too.

Now look at the beer in your hand—real or imaginary—and read where it was made. Was it made down the street or on another continent? I’m no scientist—but that’s okay, you’re probably not either—but I’m pretty sure it’s easier on the environment to move a beer across town than from the far side of the world, don’t you think?

Thus,

The Eighth Principle of Lazy Environmentalism:
Drink Domestic Beer

Five Backpacks Family - Santillo - The Lazy Environmentalist - Drink Domestic Beer — Domestic. Beer. From a tap.

Next, and in the same vein, stop drinking bottled water. Seriously, don’t drink it. Don’t buy it. Don’t accept it when offered. Just walk away from the stuff. You know about pipes, right? They bring water to your front door. Don’t like the taste? Install a filter! Live somewhere without potable water? Get a camping filter! Need water when you’re out and about? Use a reusable water bottle!

It’s so simple. When we were kids, no one drank bottled water. We drank from glasses and drinking fountains. Now, every day millions of plastic bottles are made, transported on gas-guzzling trucks, used once, and thrown away. Maybe the bottles are recycled; however much that helps. Perhaps they end up in a landfill, whatever. And some—no matter how hard you try to stop it—get blown away and end up in the ocean, killing Flipper, Willy, and all of their friends.

Why? Because we’re picky about the taste of water? Because we can’t be bothered to plan ahead and carry a reusable water bottle? Because we don’t want to wash a glass? Seriously?

Thus,

The Third Principle of Lazy Environmentalism:
Don’t Drink Bottled Water

Five Backpacks Family - The Ultimate Water Filtration System - International Travel Tips — We haven’t had to use a disposable water bottle in more than a dozen countries using this simple setup.

And I know it sounds like a silly little thing. And it is. But I have to say, we have had the privilege of seeing dozens of beautiful countries. And all around the world, these bits of spun petroleum line creek beds, marshes, beaches, playgrounds, deserts… you name it. Forever! And it didn’t all start there, some of those bottles started out in your country or mine, and now they are littering the countryside on the far side of the world.

It’s heartbreaking.

Sometimes it’s enough to make a cynic cry or to make a nihilist point out that we can do something about this!

Can any one of us fix this? Of course not. But do our actions matter? Yes. Absolutely, yes! So grab a domestic beer or a glass of filtered tap water, sit back in your comfy chair, and relax. You dun good today.

PS Please direct all comments and complaints to The Lazy Environmentalist. Lol!