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What’s In A Name?

June 23, 2015 @ 20:36 By Gavin Webber 10 Comments

I’ve been doing a bit of thinking lately about what I call my lifestyle.  I have followed this line of thinking by reading blogs I wouldn’t normally seek and by listening to a few good podcasts to confirm my thoughts.

I have come to the realisation that what I call Sustainable Living or parts of it, could and does, go by other names.  Some lifestyles that I can totally identify with that I have found so far are Simple Living, Voluntary Simplicity, Downshifting, Minimalism, Frugality, Slow Food, and Slow Living.  There are probably many more that I haven’t found.

Bee 3

However, all have a common denominator which is pretty easy to explain.

It is the act of changing from the current consumer culture where we consume to try to become happy (so the media tell us), to a counter-culture whereby the goal is the pursuit of less stuff, exiting from the rat race, and treasuring simple contentment and a simple life.

People start this process in different ways.

Some have a life changing experience as I did which propels them down this path.

Others have a health scare and change to healthy living and one thing lead to another towards simplicity.

Others wake up one day, have a watershed moment by realising that they are wasting their life and want less that leads to contentment.

Others get sick of being slaves to debt and change to a more frugal lifestyle.

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In fact, all of these things end up with the same common outcomes.  Less stuff means less consumption, which means less environmental impact, and also means less debt to the individual or family taking the action.  Smiles all round I reckon.

Then in most cases, because they are now part of this growing counter-culture, they start to look for others that live the lifestyle they now identify with.  It starts to snowball and before they realise it, they are caring for backyard chooks and growing their own veg, along with decluttering their home, enjoying their families, and becoming the most contented they have been in years.

However, there is a trap that one could fall into which I discovered about a year into my journey.  That trap is that instead of keeping up with the Joneses, you may end up trying to keep up with a different set of Joneses, remaining on the same vicious cycle of consumption.

Bread wine and wensleydale

My advice to avoid this trap is just to travel your own journey, take it slowly day by day, live within your means, and just do the best you can.  It’s not a competition, because there is no finish line.

So like every journey, it starts with one small step and it doesn’t matter how we identify ourselves, we are all skipping towards the same endgame.

All you have to do is take the first step.

What do you call your lifestyle?  Share below via comment as I would love to discover more “movements” that I can identify with.

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Filed Under: Downshift, Frugal, green, Green Psychology, Happiness, Simplicity, Sustainable Living

I’m Sick of Inaction on Climate

April 15, 2015 @ 22:18 By Gavin Webber 14 Comments

Yes, I’m sick.  Sick and tired of the way our Government is eroding every single environmental agency and target we have, and is brazenly anti-science.

I’m sick that we have little action on climate change in this country when the rest of the world is forging ahead.

I’m sick that our fully functional price on carbon was rescinded by short-sighted politicians with little thought for future generations and only focused on profit and greed.

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I’m sick of the political ping-pong that our Renewable Energy Target has become and in the process stifling investment in renewables across the country.  It needs to stay the same or increase because it is the only real action this country has on climate change in the current political vacuum.  How many more enquiries does the Wind industry have to go through and why doesn’t coal-fired power stations which are heavy polluters not under the same scrutiny?

We have sunshine in abundance.  We have steady winds in many places throughout this wide brown land.

So why is the Government putting a noose around the neck of renewables all the while cheering on the fossil fuels industry?  It is shallow thinking, short-sighted and just bad leadership.  Leadership of the worst kind.

In fact in all my years, I don’t think I have ever seen a government so hell-bent on the destruction of our land and our planet.  It is shameful.

That is why I am raising my voice.  That is why I am speaking out where ever I can.  I shall no longer be politically agnostic (not that I really was), because when there are bad things happening, one should not be quiet.  One should stand up and be counted.

I will sign any petition, attend any rally, get the message out there any way possible, because we all need to do more, government and citizens alike, to solve the climate crisis and put a price back on carbon.  It is the only way we are going to get any traction on this, the biggest issue mankind has faced.  The time for inaction is over.  The time for action is now!

Who else is sick of this bull?  Hands up!

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Filed Under: activism, climate change, Climate Reality, green, greenhouse gas

TGoG Podcast 076 – How to Start Greening

August 6, 2014 @ 15:51 By Gavin Webber Leave a Comment

Last week, I was interviewed by Andrew Moore from Radio 2GB in Sydney at 7am.  Talk about dedication!

Listen to the Episode Below (00:10:02)
Download Listen in a New Window iTunes Stitcher SoundCloud Leave a Review Clammr It Subscribe via RSS Subscribe on Android RSS Patreon

How to start greeningHis radio show “Wake Up Australia” has a segment called Blog of the Week.  Anyway, we talked a little about the blog, but a lot about how we started greening our lifestyle.

If you think this topic could have the legs for a longer episode about how to start greening, then let me know and we can focus on that during next weeks show!

Please pop over to iTunes and rate it and leave a review. You can also do the same within Stitcher Radio if you use that service.  It would help me out so much, and elevate the ratings so that others can find out about the podcast and learn about sustainable living in the ‘burbs.

You can subscribe to the show via RSS or iTunes or Stitcher for your portable device.  Just use the subscription buttons below.

RSS Feed for your podcatcher application
 Until next time, stay green and keep keen!

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Filed Under: green, Podcast, Sustainable Living, TGOG Podcast

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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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