It’s that time of the week again when we showcase the work of individuals from around the world who are not only taking a stand themselves against the global climate / pollution crisis, but who are also inspiring others to take up the torch and make a difference.

This week’s green icon is Colin Beavan (a.k.a. ’Impact Man). Colin is unique in the ‘green living blogoshpere’ for a number of reasons. He and his family (‘one wife, one toddler, one dog’) have decided to live the no impact life the hard way, in the heart of New York City, and you have to give the man credit for that alone.

He is basing the project on solid scientific basis - ‘Negative Impact + Positive Impact = Zero’. There is focus and determination to his overall plan, even if he admits himself he is largely making it up as he goes.

No impact? ‘Don’t be silly’ I hear you say. The key is that he is talking about no NET impact. For every bus he takes, he will give money to charity. And this is the key to his unique message. It’s not just him in his little room with the lights off. It is him as an icon of green in the centre of NYC, making personal sacrifices and trying to add as much of a positive impact to his surroundings as possible. Check out the branding if you don’t believe us. The guy looks like a green version of Batman – ‘The Green Knight’ anyone?

The family gets power from a solar panel on the roof and also uses candles and solar lamps. He share a scooter with his wife to get around New York, they don’t use the elevator (preferring instead to walk up 50 flights of stairs), he shaves with a straight razor, makes bread for the family and shops at a local farmers market. And (look away now if you are squeamish) they don’t use toilet paper.

Colin claims that overall the experiment has actually helped his family and friends become closer. Instead of watching TV, they play charades. They spend more time outdoors and their overall health has improved greatly since starting the project.

Oh! And he writes really well. Not just about his experiment, not just about real world green issues, but about the mentality that humanity will need going forward in the 21st century. ‘We need a peaceful revolution in thinking and living. The problem is that the revolutionaries are otherwise engaged. They're worried about whether their kids are safe, whether they'll be able to afford the mortgage, how they'll pay if they break a leg.’

Exposure for the project entire goes well beyond the blog. He has appeared on numerous TV shows (check out his recent appearance on the Colbert Report) and has had articles written about him in the New York Times and various websites throughout the US, Canada and the UK. He has already signed a book deal, and there’s a movie in the works.

“That’s the thing about this current wave of environmentalism,” he continued. “It’s not about, how do we protect some abstract pristine space? It’s what can real people do in their home or office or whatever. It’s also very urban. It’s a critical twist in the old wilderness adage: Leave only footprints, take only photographs. But how do you translate that into Manhattan?”

In short the man is out there and he is not afraid to get his hands dirty. The project entire amounts to an inspired case study, relevant to anyone living in an urban setting. Hopefully many will try to emulate him in the coming months and years.

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