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Why I choose to lead a sustainable lifestyle

February 13, 2008 @ 17:01 By Gavin Webber 27 Comments

As this is my first entry, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Gavin and I live in Melton, Australia. I am an Information Technology professional.

Over the last 17 months, my family and I have been on an incredible and wonderful journey of highs and lows, in the quest to lower our carbon footprint and become more sustainable in going about our daily lives.

It all started with a viewing at my workplace of “An Inconvenient Truth” in which former U.S. presidential candidate Al Gore describes the growing risk of climate crisis. That was back in September 2006.

What a day! After the movie, a wave of emotion came over me (more like guilt for sins past), and as my office building was some 5 Km from the cinema, I chose to walk and think long and hard about what actions I could take. There was no way I was going to place more carbon into the atmosphere after knowing what I now knew.

I remember getting back to the office after the 1 hour 40 minute walk, with throbbing blisters on my feet. I forgot that I was wearing a new pair of leather shoes, therefore the blisters! I don’t believe that I did any work all afternoon, I just wanted to know more, and what action I could take.

After driving home, I tried to explain my feelings to my family, but no-one understood what I was going on about. There was not a single person that knew what the ramifications were of the human race warming the planet above the historical high of 280 ppm of Carbon Dioxide. I went to bed, tired, confused, but determined to do something, but still not really knowing what.

An amazing day in retrospect!

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Filed Under: Al Gore, An Inconvenient Truth, Carbon Dioxide, carbon footprint, Gavin

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About Gavin Webber

Gavin Webber's daily goal is to live a more sustainable lifestyle, in an effort to reduce his family's environmental footprint so we can all make a difference for our children & future generations to come.

Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.

Comments

  1. Darren says

    December 3, 2008 at 17:12

    Wow, that sounds pretty familiar in some ways. Only I didn’t have a single epiphany like you, it sort of built up over time and crept up on me. It started with little things (“let’s grow organic vegies so we don’t have to eat pesticides!”), and has been growing steadily.

    We still have a way to go, but we’re now involved in our local council’s Sustainable Illawarra Super Challenge, which is giving us lots of motivation and resources to become more sustainable.

    Of course, being an IT person like yourself, I also have to blog about it :-).

    I’ve been enjoying reading your blog. Keep up the great work!

    Reply
  2. Dan says

    January 21, 2009 at 00:18

    You know, there must be something to this sustainable living thing and working in IT because that makes 3 of us! Maybe it’s the artificial environment our workplaces generally consist of? Or maybe it’s wondering if there’s a better way to cool a server room than a power hungry A/C unit…

    Thanks for your site Gavin, I’ll be staying tuned.

    Reply
  3. Linda Cockburn says

    March 21, 2009 at 04:02

    Make that 3.
    I know the epiphany thing, – I had one too, it was in 1999 – everyone thought I was demented too, some, I can safely assume, still do. But less and less does it make you a fringe dweller. It’s been great to watch ‘The Great Global Epiphany’ over the past ten years. Look forward to spotting more on your blog and best of luck with the quest.

    Reply
  4. Anonymous says

    March 26, 2009 at 00:04

    It’s great that you’ve decided to go Green and to share it with us. I applaud you for trying to find sustainable means of living. It’s so hard to find people who actually talk the talk and live the talk today. Unlike Al Gore who keeps preaching about global warming but continues to use 17x energy more than the average American. http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/gorehome.asp

    Reply
  5. Aussie Bob says

    June 23, 2009 at 20:24

    Hey Gavin 🙂

    I too had a green conversion of sorts, and am on a similar journey. I’m blogging at http://enviergy.com. I’ll drop a link to your site in my “Great Links” section of the site.

    Keep up the great work! 🙂

    Reply
  6. Holly Cottingham says

    August 11, 2009 at 00:51

    Hi Gavin,

    Just found your blog, you have some really great articles. I too had an epiphany from watching An Inconvenient Truth though I am not from the IT industry :p It is so difficult at first to process the information you receive in the movie and then try to express it to family and friends. I struggled for a really long time with that, getting called a Greenie and all those things they think are insulting. I just wanted to say how good it is to find others who share my feelings, thank you for leading the way with your blog. Your actions are commendable!

    Reply
  7. dreamchasers says

    February 20, 2011 at 22:31

    Thank you for your story, as you have inspired me.

    Please see a link to your blog here: http://thedreamchaserslife.blogspot.com/2011/02/im-still-here.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheDreamchasersLife+%28The+Dreamchasers+Life%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

    (Im sorry not many followers will see, but thought you might like to 🙂

    Reply
  8. brownbag says

    June 30, 2011 at 12:34

    Hi Gavin,
    You’ve certainly created some confusion out here in the ‘sustainable community’ in Geelong. I’m also called Gavin and I’m also an IT consultant. I was ‘greened’ several years ago. I started an environmental lobbying organisation, stood for the Greens, started a Transition movement and have a sustainable home with food garden also.
    So when you once spoke here plenty of people thought it was me.
    I’ve also heard that you have the same surname as me (Brown) but that may be a myth.
    Cheers,
    Gavin.

    Reply
  9. Gavin says

    June 30, 2011 at 20:40

    Hi Gav, Nice one, but not quite the same, but we sound like doppelgangers. Although my surname is Webber!

    Gav

    Reply
  10. sawn48 says

    August 23, 2011 at 00:44

    Gavin, I am enjoying all of you many lessons, but I need to jump back to the worms,since we are nearing the fall and winter seasons here. I have my worms in a container of similar material to yours,and they are outside.The winters here in Kentucky get pretty cold at times. Our garage has water pipes, so we must keep the temperature, above freezing.With it being insulated good, that is no problem.Do I need to move my worm bin inside the garage?This is my first serious effort for keeping composting worms.

    (http://lifeisshortsawn61.blogspot.com)

    Reply
  11. Gavin says

    August 23, 2011 at 09:29

    Hi Sue, yes I would highly recommend that you bring your worm farm inside. In their natural environment worms can just dig down deeper to escape the frozen ground, however they cannot do this in a worm farm.

    Better safe than sorry,

    Gav x

    Reply
  12. sawn48 says

    September 25, 2011 at 13:45

    Thanks, Gavin. I just now found your answer. Sorry for taking so long.

    Reply
  13. Anonymous says

    October 19, 2011 at 23:55

    I’m in adelaide, and I’ve recently started making my own yoghurt, baking my own bread. My next step is making cheese. My question is. Where do I find the rennet (the vegetarian variety), and also the mesophillic and the calcium chloride? And does it work out cheeper to make your own cheese?

    Reply
  14. Gavin says

    October 20, 2011 at 10:24

    Hi Anon, I buy my cheese making supplies from Green Living Australia who ship all around the country.

    Gav x

    Reply
  15. Anne, The Micro Gardener says

    November 21, 2011 at 15:43

    Hi Gavin

    Great to discover your inspiring story and read about your journey.

    I am one of a small group of volunteers on the Sunshine Coast, QLD who have been developing a project about just this – it’s called Green Journey (http://www.greenjourney.com.au).

    Our goal is to educate and inspire people on their journey towards living a more sustainable, self-sufficient lifestyle and share stories about people making it a reality. It’s a place to connect with like-minded people, groups and organisations, with loads of free resources, videos and practical tips on how to take one small step at a time to make simple changes that are better for our health and that of our planet.

    Have linked to your blog and hope you’ll come visit – we’re on the same page! Keep inspiring others.

    Cheers,
    Anne, Founder – Green Journey

    Reply
  16. neko goddess says

    December 6, 2011 at 14:45

    Gavin, I love your blog. I have met and am going to marry a Australian, We live in a little stone cottage, and so far have put in a garden and I havent used the dryer this year. I think I will give it away. We just added Chooks and Danny is interested in Cheese Making as I am in spinning wool and alpaca and making soap. Thanks for all the great ideas and instructions

    Reply
  17. Anonymous says

    July 5, 2012 at 01:54

    have you ever tried to make home brewed beer this way?

    Reply
  18. Mandie says

    July 10, 2012 at 23:25

    I found your site via the youtube video made with your Camembert cheese, and thought I would have a look at what you were doing and how it went. I thought I would have a look at why yu choose this lifestyle as I am in the process of clearing everything I can out of the back garden and start garden beds to a: get better food and b: save a bit of money. What amazed me the most is we live in the same town! Great job, I will keep reading as I am also eager to learn more
    Thanks Mandie

    Reply
    • Gavin Webber says

      July 10, 2012 at 23:45

      Cheers Mandie, thanks for visiting!

      Reply
  19. Bullwitter says

    October 22, 2012 at 23:34

    Hi Gavin,
    I have been following your blog since it got written up in Renew. Great stuff!
    I just came across this today and it seems like a cool example of people power. It is a People’s Review of the Renewable Energy Target.

    http://peoplesretreview.org.au/

    Cheers

    Bill

    Reply
    • Gavin Webber says

      October 23, 2012 at 07:31

      Cheers Bill. Thanks for the link.

      Reply
  20. sailorssmallfarm says

    October 28, 2012 at 13:19

    Hi Gavin: Just wanted to let you know that I nominated you for a Readers Appreciation Award the other day on my blog – because you know I’ve been enjoying and admiring your blog for eons. You’re a great role model.

    Reply
  21. wildramp says

    December 14, 2012 at 14:02

    Gavin, because sailorssmallfarm nominated me at the same time as she nominated you, I started following your blog and I am going to share information about you with my readers as well.

    Reply
    • Gavin Webber says

      December 14, 2012 at 16:20

      Thanks, do you have a personal blog that I can add to my blog roll?

      Gavin x

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 6th Blogiversary says:
    February 12, 2014 at 18:01

    […] has been a part of my journey each and every day since I started that first post back in February 13th, 2008.  Rarely does a day go by when I think about what to write in the next […]

    Reply
  2. Defining Sustainable Living - The Greening of Gavin says:
    February 23, 2014 at 09:27

    […] let me tell you that in this case, one size doesn’t fit all.  How you choose to live a more sustainable lifestyle may or will be completely different than the way me and my family […]

    Reply
  3. Meeting My Inspiration - The Greening of Gavin says:
    May 4, 2014 at 22:26

    […] of you who have been following my story from the very beginning, you may remember my very first post on this blog, or have read my first eBook in which I describe the event that sparked my […]

    Reply

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About Gavin Webber

About Gavin Webber

An Ordinary Australian Man Who Has A Green Epiphany Whilst Watching A Documentary, Gets a Hybrid Car, Plants A Large Organic Vegetable Garden, Goes Totally Solar, Lowers Consumption, Feeds Composts Bins and Worms, Harvests Rainwater, Raises Chickens, Makes Cheese and Soap, and Eats Locally. All In The Effort To Reduce Our Family's Carbon Footprint So We Can Start Making A Difference For Our Children & Future Generations To Come.

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Podcast Reviews

  • Always inspiring and entertaining!
    August 4, 2016 by floriographer from Australia

    I've crowed about Gavin's podcast before but I just have to recommend it once again - I love that he shares his learning as well as his successes - it helps the rest of us try try try again! Thanks Gavin!

  • ms
    July 22, 2016 by Ketaea12 from New Zealand

    I really enjoy listening to Gavin, he has a kind lovely voice. He covers some great relevant topics for the everyday greenie. With lots of tips or how to or what not to do. Thanks Gavin, love it!!

  • Well worth your time to tune in
    October 23, 2015 by A Vision Splendid from Australia

    I can highly recommend Gavin’s podcast ! I have followed Gavin’s blog since the very beginning and have loved to see his journey unfold. Gavin has a lovely speaking voice so this podcast is always very easy to listen to. Gavin has a very authentic approach to his green living lifestyle. He shares the ups and downs but always provides motivation and practical steps that we can all implement.

  • very good
    June 28, 2015 by Scared pax from United Kingdom

    This is a great podcast if you want to improve your life in so many aspects and become a more sustainable person. I love the soothing voice, the good pace, and it contains lots of useful information. Recommended!

  • opened my eyes
    May 25, 2015 by Gorn4lyfe from Australia

    A wonderful show!

  • Inspiring
    April 30, 2015 by Alan Whelan from Ireland

    This is a great podcast if you're looking for practical info on saving money by living more sustainably from someone who's made that journey over the last few years. Told in a nice, easy conversational style

  • Green Living, inspiring and practical
    January 8, 2015 by EliseMac from Australia

    Thanks Gav for sharing what has (and hasn't) worked along your journey for living a greener lifestyle. Inspiring and achievable for anyone, I look forward to this podcast weekly.

  • Local food equals less waste
    December 27, 2014 by allotmentadventureswithjean from Australia

    Another brilliant podcast from Gavin Webber encouraging us, and showing us how, to cut down on food miles, growing our own food, and cutting down on food waste. Gavin is a really interesting speaker, showing us how to eat better, growing our own food and how to live more sustainably.

  • Honestly australian
    December 15, 2014 by HodgepodgeOz from Australia

    Fantastic podcast, with a wide variety of well thought and researched topics. Gavin is a honest, forthright pod aster with a genuine interest in helping others get green. Like a day alongside is a day wasted, so too is a week without listening to Gavin. Highly recommended for people starting out, or those in the midst of their new lifestyle. Keep it up Gavin, wish there were more great reviews! Kimberley

  • Morning motivation
    December 8, 2014 by Bunnyworm from Australia

    Gavin has a great passion for living this greener lifestyle that motivates others to do the same. The podcasts are always interesting and informative. :)

  • Passionate Advocate
    October 18, 2014 by BoomOpGirl from Australia

    Gavin's enthusiasm and passion for creating a more sustainable world is nothing short of contagious. Thanks Gav, you are my weekly source of motivation for living a sustainable life! :)

  • Gavin speaks from the heart
    October 13, 2014 by Green gavin from Australia

    Gavin's podcasts are required listening for anyone planning to live a more sustainable life. He doesn't preach, but tells you his story from the heart. You'll laugh, smile, share in his concerns and along the way you'll pick up some great tips on living a simple life.

  • Green thoughts, so well iterated
    October 9, 2014 by Kwasikwami from Australia

    This is a wonderful podcast. Not only does Gavin talk knowledgeably on a range of sustainability topics from gardening tips all the way to the issues facing humanity as a whole, but he does so in such a wonderful voice, it's like listening to my Dad, love it!!

  • Easy listening inspiration on being green
    September 24, 2014 by Broomedy from Australia

    Gav knows how to share his journey to a more sustainable life in a manner that shows just how easy it really is. Not to mention healthier, economically beneficial and generally rewarding. The podcasts are an easy way to absorb Gav's great lifestyle. I recommend to anyone.

  • Thanks Gavin!
    August 31, 2014 by Honeywoodmilk from Australia

    Great practical advice for a greener lifestyle. This podcast is for anybody interested in growing their own food in suburbia, saving electricity, brewing beer, making cheese, all that wonderful business and most of all, saving money! Thanks Gavin, love the podcast mate!

  • Enjoyed those ideas for staying warm
    August 15, 2014 by enduringdragon from United States

    Like you we are having winter here in Chile—brrr! Every bit we can save on heating we will.

  • Green Podcasts
    July 26, 2014 by Carneu from Australia

    Excellent podcasts, which are full of information to help get started on a sustainable lifestyle.

  • Practical ideas and inspiration
    July 19, 2014 by HeathrowHeath from Australia

    I highly recommend Gavin's podcast and blog. Down to earth, entertaining and inspirational. Thank you.

  • Interesting & easy to listen to
    April 27, 2014 by Velocity3 from New Zealand

    Gavin & his guests make this green journey lots of fun.

  • Great green listen
    April 18, 2014 by Obscurenickname from Australia

    Gavin is a great down to earth, tell it like it is aussie with a passion for sustainability and growing food and making cheese

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