Living the Ecological Life on TV
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 03.30.06
From Bonnie in London: This is not a plug for TreeHugger TV, it is an unlikely idea for a reality TV show: take a family of four, move them into a dilapidated farm house in Cornwall England and watch them start trying to live an environmentally-friendly lifestyle. As improbable as it sounds for prime time viewing, it is happening: the show is called “It’s Not Easy Being Green” and it can be seen on BBC2 for the next seven weeks.
In it we follow the trials and tribulations of the Strawbridge family as they build a new greenhouse with a self-sufficient heating system, set up solar-powered hot water and dig, mulch and compost. . Dick, the father is an energetic, cheery charactar who loves tinkering with the technical stuff. Brigit the mother is a “green and planet-loving” free spirit who is concerned about eating meat. The two teenagers are sceptical but good natured—gagging at the sight of sausages being made by hand. Luckily they are joined by friends such as an organic gardener and physicist who help them along with the serious aspects of the project.
The show is based on a true story. The Strawbridge family really did move to the depths of the English countryside a year ago with great plans to live self-sufficiently. The BBC has filmed them intermittently as they come to grips with the task ahead. Over the next two months we will be able to follow their progress in their new life.
As the father says “We’re not preachy and it isn’t all easy being green, but it’s fun trying”.
The critics are less sanguine . The Guardian said “ I know it’s bad and wrong that I hate the Strawbridges but I just can’t help it”. The Times, noting that Strawbridge says that he wants to have little impact on the planet, said “ Who knows? The audience ratings may show that his wish has been granted”.
Stay tuned next week for the arrival of the pigs…
Dick Strawbridge, the patriarch of the family is a former military engineer (Colonel I think) and has been on UK TV screens for a few years. He started as the captain of a winning team on "Scrap Heap Challenge", the original British version of "Junkyard Wars", I believe he now features on the US version too. He later went on to be a specialist judge on the programme. He also presented a series about military engineering.
Talking of TV Reality you have to look no further than the Dervaes family in Los Angeles,
they're at the center of an urban homesteading movement based in So Cal. And a forthcoming documnetary. Their Web site Path to Freedom leads the way to sustainability inside city limits.
Well I thought the first episode was bloody marvellous and I'm really looking forward to the next one. Everyone I know who saw it thought it was excellent too.
When his home made water wheel starting turning for the first time it was an epiphany moment for me. I've considered living the "Good Life" many a time, but seeing this has made me realise it's actually possible and it's now my main goal in life - to become almost totally self-sufficient for energy and food.
I watched a bit of the first episode before I went out (to see Hostel, wish I had stayed in) and I enjoyed it.
I will have to record the rest of the series.
I wish I had a garden and space to make my own wind turbines, water wheels etc.
Dear Editor,
I found this comment whilst looking at green isues, it is from Mr Dickie Strawbridge TV's favourite moustache.
http://www.biggreenchallenge.org.uk/authors/dick-strawbridge/
quote;
The best idea I’ve seen to tackle climate change is…
I’m working with a company that has found a way of capturing CO2 emissions from internal combustion engines, which could mean that soon cars, power stations and any form of motor powered by fossil fuels won’t contribute to climate change.
If this company has achieved this as Mr Strawbridge is saying then we are looking at the next Industrial revolution as discribed by Mr Gordon Brown earlier in the week.
The comments were of this being worth Trillions to the British Economy and a million new jobs for UK workers.
Does anybody know who they are as every company in the country, nether mind the world will need there services. If Al Gore got a Nobel peace prize for a film on Climte Change, what will these guys get for actually halting it?
I look forward to reading the next issue, maybe finding out who they are?
Yours truly
Clare.