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"Walkin' the Talk..."
Not just eating the right food, but
also "living" sustainably as possible NOW!
SOS #200 -- J. Morris Hicks -- (3-7-23)
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This is the updated version (on 10-3-24) of the SOS Memo #200 that was published in March of 2023.
In our 2020 book, OUTCRY, we described an envisioned way of life in the United States that could serve as somewhat of a sustainable living model to the world: a greatly improved civilization that could reduce our collective overall human footprint by 80% or more.
Click this image to read a FREE e-copy of...
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So how do we make that totally new kind of civilization a reality? The answer is real simple.
Rather than depending on elected officials to design and build that new kind of civilization for us, this SOS Memo describes how we as individuals can just start "doing it" -- like in the old Nike slogan.
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When enough of us demand a more sustainable way of life, we shall have it.
We know that we as individuals can decide what to eat. But can we also decide how to live in 2024 in a manner that will reduce our lifestyle footprints by 80% or more?
The simple answer is yes we can.
We can simply seek out the kinds of living arrangements that are available today in many parts of the country. I am talking about modern, comfortable, ultra-efficient living spaces within walking distance of shopping, entertainment and public transportation.
Once we as individuals decide to start living more efficiently, we can just do it. Using today's technology, the cross-country living corridor described below could house all 330 million Americans while returning over 75% of the nation's acreage back to nature. Concurrent with downsizing and living more efficient lives, we will also save tons of money that we used to spend on"stuff" to fill our large homes.
In OUTCRY, we described a vision for the future that could maximize our chances for longterm survival as a species. Those chances hinge on three variables:
- The number of humans on the planet
- What those humans are eating
- How all of the world's humans are living, transporting themselves & consuming stuff
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So how can we get started on
the above transition to sustainable living?
In the text below, you can read about how all of us can all take steps to help make this urgently needed transition start happening now.
In a nutshell, millions of us can start a national conversation on this crucial topic by simply choosing to live now in a manner that is as close as possible to the Great Big Northern living corridor that we described in OUTRY.
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This SOS Memo is all about the importance of how we choose to live NOW!
Without a doubt, the smaller and more efficient our residences, the less stuff we will need. With proper planning, millions of us Americans could lower our individual impact on the ecosystem by 70% or more.
Of course, that kind of shift will never work in an economic system like capitalism that depends on maximizing the consumption of "stuff" in a world of finite resources.
Obviously, we need to replace capitalism ASAP. Even with a planet friendly scorekeeping financial system -- one that answers first to Mother Nature -- it will take centuries to replace our infrastructure and inefficient housing -- while we gradually bring the global population down to a sustainable three or four billion people.
How can we convince Mother Nature to give us the few hundred years needed to accomplish all of the above?
It's real simple, we do everything within our power to influence over half of the planet's 8.1 Billion to shift to 100% plant-based eating ASAP. We covered that topic in OUTCRY, also known as as a User's Guide for Planet Earth.
A Little Background
In the first decade of my work in this arena from 2003 to 2013, I was primarily focused on promoting whole, plant-based eating for human health reasons.
My focus began to expand in late 2013 after I learned about World Bank researchers, Robert Goodland & Jeff Anhang, and their alarming 2009 paper, entitled: Livestock and Climate Change. What if the key actors in climate change...are cows, pigs and chickens?"
I was just getting to know Dr. Goodland before he died in 2013 -- and have since met and communicated numerous times with his colleague, Jeff Anhang, who reads my SOS Memos regularly -- and who I now consider a friend.
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Their powerful World Bank paper changed the trajectory of my work. It shocked me into understanding the incredibly important consequences of our food choices -- and it inspired me to look at an even "bigger picture" regarding how we humans are living on this planet.
That realization led me to envisioning a totally-sustainable civilization -- one in which future generations will be born into an overall way of life that Mother Nature can sustain indefinitely.
But, it's our generation that must get that process started -- and, so far, we are failing miserably. And I include myself in that group -- but this SOS Memo documents a huge step in the right direction for one J. Morris Hicks.
For the past twenty years, I've been investigating, envisioning, writing and speaking about what we must do -- and how we must live in order to survive as a species.
Eighteen Months Ago,
I Just Started "Doing" It!
In February of 2023, I simply started "walkin' the talk." After living this way for 18 months, I am now exploring ways we can influence millions of others to follow us in the most enjoyable way of living that I have ever experienced.
On my 78th birthday, I moved into my new writing studio (apartment) in New London, CT -- a place that could enable me to lower my carbon footprint by over 80%. If enough of us start "walking" as greenly as possible -- others will follow.
According to published research statistics, the average size of new, single-family homes built in the U.S. from 1975 to 2021 was 2,485 square feet -- almost SIX times larger than my new place in Connecticut.
Now that I am getting settled, my feelings about living this way keep getting better and better with each passing day. I find myself thinking about this famous quote from Thoreau:
Our lives are frittered away with details. Simplify, Simplify.
As I fully adjusted to living in 443 square feet, it became difficult for me to sufficiently describe the joy it has brought.
Can you believe it? 443 square feet?
Yes, you read that right! But, before you declare that you could never live in such a small space, take a quick look for yourself at this amazing lifestyle that keeps getting better -- about 18 months after I moved in.
First, join me for a tour of Suite #215, entering through the kitchen from the second floor hallway...
|  | It's a thoroughly modern kitchen with all the amenities... | On to the living room with an outdoor deck... | The living room features lots of nautical art... | On to the MBR below: with laundry and walk-in closet... | |
From the bedroom, the apartment looks quite spacious...
| On to the dining room, featuring the "actual" New Orleans sign that I used in 1967 for our hitchhiking race from San Francisco. For the record, I did win that two-man race. | |
The nautical theme continues in the bathroom, featuring my Coast Guard officer's hat on the top shelf. | |
Prominently displayed in my dining room is a photo of daughter Diana (44) and son Jason (50) in late 2023. I am very proud to say that both of them are 4Leaf eaters -- in that they derive over 80% of their calories from whole, plant-based foods. | |
Walking through the kitchen to the sunny side of the building directly across the hall.... | |
Below, in the hallway right outside my door, this is a nice place to sip my coffee while keeping an eye on my car in the parking lot -- while enjoying a view of the marina and trains rolling by on the nation's busiest rail corridor... | |
Last, but not least, is a photo of my outside deck from Bank Street, on the second floor, just left of the tree... | |
That's it for Suite 215, now check out a few of the additional amenities of this kind of living... | |
After entering the building, there's a warm sitting area outside the management office... | |
Then below, also on the ground floor, is this huge party room with bar, giant TV fireplace and lots of windows... | |
And of course, there is a magnificent fitness center that I use mostly on rainy, icy or bitterly cold days. Most of the time, I have it all to myself... | |
Let's not forget the terrific game room on the 4th floor -- that opens directly onto a fully-furnished sun deck... | |
Check out these final two images of the rooftop deck with great water, city, marina and railroad views... | |
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As of September, 2024, after eighteen months of living this beautiful, organized, efficient and convenient lifestyle, I have been feeling a steady lessening of stress and an ever-growing sense of calm and joy (FLOW) -- inspiring me to help others feel comfortable in choosing this pleasant and highly efficient way of living.
Near the end of Chapter 10 in OUTCRY, i write about experiencing that special kind of mental high, or flow as it relates to an anecdote regarding my former boss, Ralph Lauren.
With that thought in mind, here's another
reinforcing quote from Mr. Thoreau
Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! I say, let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a million -- count by half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumbnail… Simplify, Simplify.
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To be sure, Thoreau did indeed walk the talk when it comes to living simply.
Here's the way I see it. If he could find joy in this 150 square foot cabin, I can certainly find it now in my "flow enriching" modern home that is three times that size.
For him, finding happiness was via simplification of his life and freeing up his mind for other pursuits. For me, in my luxurious 443 square feet, I began feeling like a load had been lifted from my shoulders as I settled into a simple, yet comfortable, calming, efficient and ultra-sustainable way of living.
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Here are three features of my new abode as it relates to living sustainably
One. There are units on both sides, above and below my unit. Can you imagine what that kind of "stacking" does for my heating bill? In the winter, when the temperature is below freezing almost every night, I have the thermostat set at 64 degrees. And, it very rarely comes on -- as the temperature inside my place rarely drops below 66.
Two. My new place is a ten-minute walk to the New London train station, where I can catch Amtrak to New York or Boston on the famed northeast rail corridor.
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Three. Then there's the food co-op, Fiddleheads (pictured here) that is also a ten-minute walk away. I go there at least once a week. Not only do I get fresh, organic produce and great IPA beverages, I no longer have to start my car to go grocery shopping.
Believe me, the above features are just the beginning of my new lifestyle. During my first 18 months of living here, I have lowered my monthly mileage in my 2016 Subaru from 1250 to less than 300.
In addition to Amtrak, I can ride the Shoreline East commuter train from New London to New York for $17 (with my senior discount). It's a 126-mile trip that I take often, and the price is the same -- no matter how close to departure-time I book the ticket on my smartphone.
I am convinced that the more people who choose this way of living -- the sooner we'll get around to promoting an ultra-modern and ultra-green overall way of living throughout the world.
As stated in the Field of Dreams, "Build it and they will come." I also wrote all about that way of living in Chapter 10 of OUTCRY: Living Large in the Great Big Northern in 2050.
Check out this feature of my new lifestyle:
A pictorial of my first trip to NYC
since moving into my ultra-efficient writing studio
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In early March of 2023, I walked 10 minutes to the New London train station at sunrise and snapped this photo.
My Shoreline East train was waiting as I joined just two other passengers on the 6:25 am train to New Haven, where I transferred to a Metro North train to Manhattan.
With a fresh cup of Starbucks French Roast coffee as my traveling companion, I immediately pulled out my laptop and started happily writing what you are reading now.
Having lived in the nearby borough of Stonington, Connecticut from 2003 to 2013 -- I've probably made this trip to New York more than 200 times. But this is the first time I walked to the train station from my home.
I must admit that my Sunday adventure trip brought joy to my soul. Want to join me and get a feel for this way of living?
Climb Aboard!
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Above: Changing trains in New Haven
Below: Arriving at Grand Central Station in NYC
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Leading a beautiful, uncluttered way of life...
As I began getting settled into my new place, I realized that I am now living similarly to the futuristic lifestyle that we had envisioned in our 2020 book, OUTCRY.
If you haven't read the book, you might want to do so after checking out Chapter 10 that describes a way of living that is quite similar to the one I am now enjoying in New London, CT. Here is a link to that chapter: Living Large in the Great Big Northern (2050). As mentioned earlier, it also includes a rare anecdote about my former boss, Ralph Lauren.
As for learning to cherish this simple, livable, affordable, convenient and stress-free abode, I realize that I should have taken this step a long time ago. Unlike the spartan conditions in which Henry David Thoreau lived, I am talking about an ultra-comfortable, AND ultra-sustainable, way of living for all humans.
There's one more key opportunity regarding the efficiency of this kind of living. In the envisioned 3,000-mile, green living corridor of the future (in OUTCRY) -- the moving industry will not exist. That's because the basic furniture will never move -- only the personal effects like wall decor and linens will need to be moved from one ultra-efficient dwelling to another.
In our book, OUTCRY, published on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day in April of 2020 -- we describe a future way of living that we believe could make it possible for around four billion humans to keep living in perpetuity on this finite planet -- the only one in the known universe capable of keeping us alive.
The Bottom Line
Simplify. Simplify. Simplify.
The more people who choose to live this way, the sooner we'll get around to promoting an ultra-modern and ultra-green way of living throughout the world. I wrote all about that way of life in Chapter 10 of OUTCRY: Living Large in the Great Big Northern in 2050.
That said, let's summarize four goals we must accomplish in order to have a decent chance at surviving longterm as a species:
To-Do List for All of Humanity
One. Lower the population from eight billion to four billion or less. The number of humans that our ecosystem can support depends on what we choose to eat and how we choose to live.
Two. Change our "scorekeeping" system from capitalism to one that answers first to Mother Nature. What we have now rewards us for maximizing our consumption of "stuff" in a world of finite resources. In OUTCRY, we call it Earthonomics in Chapter 11 -- an economic system that rewards efficient living and punishes all wasteful and unsustainable endeavors.
Three. Learn how to live meaningful, enjoyable lives in a manner that minimizes our impact on the biosphere. It is an approach that has been the primary focus of this SOS Memo.
Four. To maximize our chances -- and to provide the eight or nine decades needed to truly learn how to live in harmony with nature -- we absolutely must shift to a sustainable way of eating ASAP.
Conveniently, the diet-style that promotes optimal health in our ecosystem, also promotes optimal health in our bodies. You can read all about that way of eating in this FREE copy of the 4Leaf Guide to Vibrant Health, a compact 2015 book that was written by a family physician and yours truly.
It is the fourth action item above, sustainable eating, that can buy us the time needed to address the other three actions. For example, overpopulation -- even if we could quickly cut the birth rate worldwide by 75%, it would still take the better part of two centuries to reach a sustainable population of around four billion people.
Two of the other three steps will take from four to ten decades to get done -- and we simply don't have that much time. That leaves us the urgent necessity of switching 100% to plant-based eating all over the world ASAP.
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Eliminating animal agriculture is the ONLY step capable of buying us enough time to complete the other essential, yet time-consuming tasks.
Anyone in the developed world can easily change their diet in four weeks -- while reducing their grocery bill by at least 50%
How should you start? Take a half day and read that user's guide referenced above...better known as OUTCRY.
Then read our other FREE book, The 4Leaf Guide -- a book about healthy eating that I wrote with a medical doctor.
Both of these books are also available as e-books on Amazon for $7 and $4.44 respectively. If you want to help this starving author tackle more humanity-saving projects, I encourage you to spend the big bucks and go for the e-books on Amazon.
Also, please consider giving these e-books to others for Christmas, birthdays and other special occasions. No gift-wrapping, no shipping, no manufacturing, and no trees are killed -- all while helping as many people as possible learn how to live green enough to ensure a viable future for the billions of innocent children in the world today.
The 4Leaf Guide is also available in paperback for $8.88 -- as is our first book, Healthy Eating, Healthy World (2011)
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One more thing, since you've stayed with me this far, you deserve to see a floor-plan of my ultra efficient living space of 443 square feet. | |
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As I think about it, the building in which I am now living and writing -- embodies many of the efficiencies that would be ubiquitous in the envisioned Great Big Northern corridor (in OUTCRY) across the northern USA: ultra efficient buildings, small well-designed living spaces, walking distance to groceries, drugstores, trains, ferries, restaurants, hair care, entertainment and more.
Think about this kind of stress-free living for yourself.
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In Closing Today
Someone asked me recently why I repeat myself from week to week in these memos.
It's because I'm trying to make sure that each SOS can be fully understood by all first-time readers.
Scroll on down below for access to two "ambitious initiatives" that I believe provide us with the best possible chance of getting our act together before Mother Nature kicks us off her planet.
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J. Morris Hicks — hpjmh.com
500 Bank Street, Suite 215
New London, CT 06320
jmorrishicks@me.com
End of this SOS Memo
Scroll on down for more information
and two "ambitious" initiatives
Appendix to SOS Memos
(lots of data, FREE books, scientific reports, videos & more)
You can join my mailing list and find all previous
postings by visiting this SOS Memos page.
Again, my primary website is hpjmh.com -- featuring a powerful summary that appears on the landing page. Click the link below for my one-page bio summary:
J. Morris Hicks, engineer. writer. big picture guy.
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For your convenience, I have listed two "ambitious" initiatives that I believe have the capability of getting us back on the road to sustainable living. Both initiatives depend on exceptional LEADERSHIP! | |
Ambitious Initiative #1
Game Plan 2024 for
Reversing Climate Change
This initiative is all about waking up the sane and responsible wing of the global news media to the need for non-stop reporting of the greatest crisis in the history of humanity.
In order to get that done, we are striving to leverage the knowledge, fame and influence of Mayor Eric Adams of New York City, arguably the most influential city in the world.
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Ambitious Initiative #2
How Corporate Wellness at Amazon
can Promote Sustainability
This initiative is all about a long-envisioned consulting project that has not happened -- YET. As a systems engineer and a former process improvement consultant, I began trying to sign our very first corporate client over fifteen years ago.
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Scroll down for more information
about how we can buy ourselves enough time to convert our civilization to one that is acceptable to Mother Nature.
But first, please take the time to watch this FREE, 35-minute video. Then share it widely. At the one-minute mark, a scientist at the University of Oxford sums up our situation succinctly:
"If we don't address what we eat, we simply won't make it."
Essential Facts version:Eating Our Way to Extinction
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Next Up: The China Study documentary. Just before publishing the John Mackey SOS Memo on 6-11-24, I watched the excellent video below -- a 30-year-old documentary that illustrates the failures of our institutions to tell the global public the complete truth about our FOOD.
Shamefully, for many decades, Cornell, other schools of nutrition and hundreds of governments have withheld the TRUTH about our food choices from the public.
Had they shared that truth long ago, we may very well NOT be facing runaway climate change today. Click the image below to watch this 55-minute China Study video documentary.
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How can YOU make a difference?
1st: Become a healthy vegan -- making sure that over 80% of your calories are derived from whole, plant-based foods. As such, you will be doing your part in dismantling the leading driver of climate change: global animal agriculture. As a personal bonus, you will get healthier, eliminate most prescription drugs, lose weight and save money at the same time.
2nd: Start "walking the talk" of sustainable living. Let your actions do the talking for your friends and family. My thoughts on that process are in this updated SOS Memo #200 from early 2023, when I moved into my delightful 443 square feet, about halfway between New York and Boston -- on the busiest passenger rail line in the USA.
3rd: Check out the FREE stuff in the appendix below and start sharing all of this info with your friends & family.
4th: Schedule a FREE Zoom call with me and your group.
Again, my primary website is hpjmh.com -- featuring a powerful summary that appears on the landing page. Click the link below for my one-page bio summary:
J. Morris Hicks, engineer. writer. big picture guy.
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Finally, want to get started nurturing your own health
and the health of our planet?
Take our dietary survey at 4leafsurvey.com (2 min). With your answers to 12 multiple choice questions, the survey provides an estimate as to what percent of your daily calories are being derived from whole, plant-based foods.
Over 80% from whole plants = "4Leaf Level" of eating
(The average American or European gets less than 7%)
Click to learn all about this dietary assessment tool:
About the 4Leaf Survey
For much more about 4Leaf, visit 4leafprogram.com
Also: Link to the FREE e-copy of the The 4Leaf Guide
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