Natural Papa: Derek Markham
February 18th, 2009 by HowYouEco
Derek Markham, writes the Natural Papa blog, lives on the Front Range in Colorado with his wife and children. He’s worked in the natural foods industry for 10 years and writes about environmental topics for Green Options, GreenUpgrader, Green and Clean Mom, Twilight Earth and API Speaks. He digs simple living, natural fatherhood, attachment parenting, natural building, unassisted childbirth, bicycles, composting (sawdust) toilets, organic/biodynamic gardening, vegan peanut butter cookies with chocolate chips, bouldering, and the blues.
How do you eco?
We just finished our own family experiment in lifestyle design, living for almost six years in one 8 by 15 foot travel trailer with 2 adults, 2 kids, and a cat. We hauled all of our water, used a sawdust toilet and composted our waste, and had a solar shower for washing up. While not off the grid, we used only 4 CFL bulbs for lighting, plus a tiny fridge that ran on electricity. We certainly learned a lot about how simply we could live if we tried. We had two unassisted births during that time (one under the stars, and one in a tipi), so we are DIY types, learning “old” life skills and trying to be more “natural”. We are co-op members, organic gardeners and CSA farm members, and we recycle or reuse virtually everything. We’re working toward a sustainable off-grid homestead and hope to chronicle it to share with others.
Why did you go eco?
Living in an eco-friendly way has a lot to do with how I interact with the natural world. My love of wild and unspoiled places, and wanting to share them with my kids, are big motivations for why I choose to live green. I spent many long hours in the backcountry with my scout group, and I come from pioneer stock, so I always identified with a simpler life. Now that I have kids, I want them to have clean food and a toxin-free childhood to grow from. I believe that we have to be the change instead of waiting for the world to wake up. If not us, then who?
What’s your favorite eco tip?
Eat organic, it’s worth it. If you don’t absolutely need something, don’t buy it. When you do buy something, buy quality goods that last a long time, and take care of them. Buy food direct from farms if you can. Join a co-op and shop in bulk, so that unnecessary packaging is not wasted. Leave the car parked and ride a bike (get a good bike trailer for hauling groceries, etc.). Give up things like paper towels, paper plates, napkins, and fabric softeners, and buy eco-friendly soaps and cleaners. Get rid of the TV, or hide it. Stay away from throw-away anything. Start a recycling system at your house. Take simple steps at first, and then add to your “green” habits as you can.
EcoLinks
-
-
- Posted in Chief Eco Officers, Eco, HeroEco, Internet & Media · 3 comments »
- Tags: api speaks · derek markham · green and clean mom · green options · greenupgrader · natural papa · tipi · twilight earth
