The Necessity of More Authentic Living without Excess Consumption

By the MESA advisory and executive committees, March 27, 2014

It is no longer sufficient to merely protest “supply side” assaults on the environment such as coal-fired power plants, fracking, tar sands & oil shale in Utah, the Keystone XL pipeline, nuclear power on the Green River.

All these actions are necessary and MESA supports them. But these actions address only one-half of the problem, namely, the supply of dirty energy. As long as the demand for gasoline and electricity continues unabated, fossil and nuclear energy supply will find their way to the market despite protests at individual power plants, pipelines, and mines.

This is why MESA is sponsoring a “demand-side” conference to be held on October 3rd of 2014, which will explain to the Utah public that, for most people living here, a switch to a more modest lifestyle with a smaller use of natural resources is necessary, and in fact urgent, in order to prevent unacceptable climate damage for the younger generation living today (and their children).

Modest lifestyles without overuse of Earth’s natural bounty are required by our Mormon principles of earth stewardship, and also by many other religions.

Voluntary simplicity by all who are blessed with affluence is an act of compassion because it frees up resources so that the many people living in poverty can satisfy their basic human needs.

Such a change in lifestyles makes people happier, allowing them to live more authentic lives with more time for friends, family, and for community activities.

Finally, if we simplify our lives now, we will not only slow down future climate damage but also will help us adapt to the damage already done.

There are so many positives about making the shift to simplicity that many “lifestyle pioneers” have already begun to act on this idea, and many more are pondering its benefits. The aim of the conference is to give voice to and enhance this cultural shift and coordinate the movement toward an institutional framework that will allow a simpler, more authentic life to become a real option for all of us.

MESA is looking for volunteers to help us plan and host this conference in Utah. Please contact us by email or phone to volunteer. Thank you!