Teknozen: Personal Planetary Practices

Personal Planetary Practices are not rules, regulations or commandments. Their purpose is to provoke thought, discussion, and change.

John Seed, Ruth Rosenhek, and Allan Hunt Badiner were sitting around in Andre Carother's Berkeley kitchen early in the summer of 1998. We noticed a paper stamp on the kitchen table that read: "every dollar is a vote... spend it wisely." This prompted a discussion about how one's personal awareness of the planetary crisis might most appropriately manifest in terms of being a consumer. What set of personal practices in the marketplace of modern life would, if widely adopted, further the goals of achieving ecological sustainability and social justice-- not just by what we avoid, but also by what we choose to purchase?

We considered carefully which actions or agreements could make the most difference without being too personally sacrificial or impractical. PPP may represent a kind of consumer baseline for ecological activists and we offer them to you for discussion in the hope that you will share them with others for their consideration.

of the unprecedented rates of destruction of our ancient forests, we are committed to avoid the purchase of any products that we suspect originate from old growth forests anywhere in the world.

of the damage to the natural systems of the Earth and the suffering inflicted on animal species from a meat-based diet, we are committed to avoid the purchase and consumption of any animal products.

of the pressures on living systems and indigenous communities created by mining the land for gold, we are committed to devaluing gold and avoiding the purchase of jewelry containing gold.

of benefits, to the Earth and to the consumer, from the use of clothing made from hemp or organic cotton, we are committed to avoid the purchase of clothing, paper or personal accessories that do not contain natural or recycled fibers, hemp or organic cotton.

of the peril to the Earth and all of its inhabitants from the use of toxic chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, we are committed to avoid the purchase of all food and beverage products that are not certified and labeled organic.

of the growing threat to the vitality of the Earth from reliance on petrochemicals, petroleum products, nuclear power, and fossil fuels, we are committed to purchasing only those products or systems that utilize sustainable or less polluting sources of energy such as solar, wind, biogas, water, or electricity.

of the continuing destruction caused by capital that is trapped in unsustainable industries and economies, we are committed to make only socially and ecologically screened investments.

of the personal and social consequences of having a news and entertainment media saturated with images of violence and sexual oppression, we are committed to avoiding the consumption of cultural products containing violent and sexually exploitative materials.