The question of impact -- the carbon footprint kind -- has certainly made some kind of impression on our consciences in the last few years. (When I say "our" I mean here at Chicken Corner and there in the general reading, media-digesting public.) But how deep an impression? Big boot or soft shoe? I mean, I built a compost bin with my daughter, and we grow a super-tiny fraction of the food we eat, and we shop at the farmers markets. And I mean, a "green" curriculum was a consideration when we looked at schools for my daughter -- and, no, the irony of driving her to school to learn about being low-impact is not lost on us. I try to be smart about water use. But I am guilty of having a lawn area (though not a big one). Evolution at Chicken Corner is a walk in process.

We need good examples -- we need encouragement. Real models for living in new ways. Which is what Laura Gabbert (a friend of mine) has done with her documentary, No Impact Man, which is about a man who actually lived the life in New York City.

No Impact got a good review in the L.A. Times. I am hoping to see it this weekend. I'll forgive myself the drive. Baby steps....