What is "normal" and can we please change that?

Jan 24, 2024

“Almost ready, one second!”,

I yelled from the kitchen to Arthur who was standing in the hallway ready to go. Proud of myself for remembering the beach shack, I wanted to find something perfect. The container had to be big enough to hold a beer (we don’t want to lose value) and shaped so you could easily drink from it. Hmm, what could we…wait, this is it. I reached for an old marinara sauce jar we’d saved and realized it was going to be perfect. Content with what I found, I packed it in my bag, and we headed out.

After our hike, we drove the short distance to the beach and parked in the gravel lot. Sweaty, tired, and high on endorphins, we changed out of our hiking boots as our mouths began to water in anticipation. Barefoot and free, I reached for the bag with the jar and told Arthur about my plan to try to use it for ordering a beer. Knowing not to question my zero-waste attempts, he agreed we should try and hoped they would accept it.

Luckily, they did. Not only did they accept the jar, but they got so excited about our thoughtful efforts that they even gave us a discount. Since the jar was quite big, Arthur whispered he thought we lucked out on the volume as well. This was a win-win in so many ways.

Slightly smug and highly content with our smart move, we sat in the sun and sipped away on our well-deserved reward. It honestly felt like life couldn’t get much better.

Then Arthur said something I’ll never forget.

“Don’t you think it’s interesting,” he said, “that all these people here, all these adults with kids and families, probably consider themselves pretty conscious and thoughtful citizens? Yet here they are drinking beverages from plastic cups they will soon throw away.”

“In fact,” he continued, “it’s interesting to think about what we consider normal and not normal, because really, bringing your own cups and utensils you take home and wash should be the normal thing to do. Using something once and then throwing it away should be looked upon as weird. I know it isn’t in our world today. I know we’ve created a system where single-use items serve a meaningful purpose, but realistically, it should be weird. When you look at it that way, we’re the normal ones, and they’re not.”

I didn’t answer right away. The moment was too precious not to capture in its fullest, and I wanted to soak in every bit of it. Did my husband—my man—just say caring for the earth should be the normal thing to do?

I’m not sure he’s ever been sexier than at that very moment, and I silently renewed our marriage vows right then and there.

The famous beach beer in its full glory.

This was a passage from the chapter “Normal” in The Climate Optimist Handbook where I go on to explore what we consider normal today and how it came to be that way. I wanted to bring it up in this week’s newsletter since I think it serves to reflect deeper on what we take for granted — and why.

Is it a reasonable thing to use something once and then through it away? Especially considering the material it’s made from is so durable, it’ll outlive every one of us?

We’re living on a heavily polluted planet. Current projections say we’ll be looking at more plastic than fish in our oceans by 2050. Considering we dump one truckload of plastic into our deep blues every minute, it isn’t hard to believe.

But it’s a sad reality and one we shouldn’t accept, so how do we change this?

I know there is no easy answer and I’m also fully aware that many passionate people are working all their powers to make sure there is an end to this madness. On top of that, public awareness of plastic pollution is rising (be aware of plastic bottles!) — which is great! But when (and how) will we accept that in order to do this, we need a whole new set of normals?

Before you disregard this post because you don’t believe we’ll ever be able to shake the conveniences we’ve gotten so used to, I’m with you. I’ll be the first to admit that the girl who brought a glass jar to the beach shack in anticipation of ordering a beer has changed. For one, she’s become a mother, and convenience has gained a whole new meaning these days. Convenience is no longer just a form of “niceties” — it’s a necessity! And many days it feels like these lifehacks is what keeps it all together.

We are busier people living busier lives and with that comes the need for smart and convenient solutions. However, could we be open to changing our thoughts about what that convenience looks like?

?

I left the question mark there because… could we? And what expansive thoughts and curious mindsets will allow these new realities to be explored?

I’m leaving this open-ended because I don’t have the answers and I’m sure you don’t either. But I’m inviting you to sit with it. Don’t just look for a solution and then move on if you can’t find it — let these questions nest inside you. Practice holding on to the truth that things need to change without yet knowing what that change is.

Can we learn to be comfortable in the unknowing?

If we can only dare to accept that things must change, we invite the space that allow for new realities to take form. And who knows, maybe these new normals will make for an even better and more abundant life here on Earth.

In Other Climate Optimistic News

Speaking of a new normal, how about we reflect on what truly brings abundance and vitality in life? This article about the newly discovered blue zone in Costa Rica, where an insane amount of people live to be over a hundred, is worth diving into.

What are the predictions for climate in 2024? Well, we are on track for the warmest year yet (and that is following record heat in 2023) but it is NOT game over — it’s game on. Read on about how amid growing climate distress, there are positive turning points to be aware of!

Have you checked out Hannah Ritchie’s new book, Not The End of The World? Anyone who felt their lives slightly changed after having read Hans Rosling’s Factfullness might want to give this book a chance — the positive climate narratives might surprise you!

Parting Thought

On leaving a big footprint:

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