CHARTER OF VALUES AND GOALS
INTRODUCTION
Today the whole world is examining questions about climate change and our planet’s future.
Major decisions need to be made to lessen our detrimental impact on the environment, and it is the politicians’ role to encourage virtuous innovations and reduce the world’s economic inequalities. Scientists must find alternatives to the fossil fuels that exacerbate the greenhouse effect, technology to make water safe for drinking, solutions to feed and support the most fragile populations, and ways to help them attain greater autonomy and independence.
On a much more modest scale, I believe that our smallest daily acts count. In our most minor, mundane choices there is always a more virtuous option, which, while depriving us very little materially, is often more morally satisfying. Buying produce directly from the producer, not taking the car when a less polluting means of transportation is available, economising our resources whenever possible or repairing objects that are not yet at the end of their lives, are just a few examples.
Each and everyone at their own level can reduce their ecological footprint, find their own alternatives and share their awareness and desire to live more harmoniously with their natural and human environment.
In my creative approach and private life, I have these same goals and means: consume less and better, limit transportation, avoid whenever possible throwing things out which will in turn pollute the air, the soil or water. I also appreciate the “conscious gesture” concept, as I like the idea that objects can have a long life. I love to reuse them, mend, repair and repurpose them. I love the idea of saving them. I want to be able to give them a second chance, and use humour and poetry to inspire people to consume differently. By presenting objects in a different light I want to encourage people to follow my example towards virtuous, creative strategies. I believe there are a multitude of ways to live better with less, to practice an economy of moderation—or “happy sobriety”— as taught by Pierre Rhabbi, and live a simple life full of fantasy and creativity.
PRINCIPLES & VALUES:
• Personal and public health is a capital that must be protected
• The environment, earth, water and air are precious resources which must be recognised and protected
• Mutual respect must govern our relationships with others
• Generosity—a desire to share things and ideas—must be our driving force
• The concept of “happy sobriety”, of living better with less, must be a life goal and philosophy
ACTIONS: LIMIT OUR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT WITHOUT LIMITING OUR CREATIVITY
• Reduce, or eliminate the use of fossil fuels. Favour the locavore concept and short food supply chains
• Reduce transportation whenever possible
• Recycle to avoid incineration, and aim for zero waste
• Economise energies and resources, mend, repair and reuse
• Create desire, put smiles on faces, increase motivation and boost energy to find good and virtuous gestures. Don’t feel guilty, don’t be defeatist or pessimistic. Remain inventive and encourage all forms of kindness and goodwill
• Fight against standardisation, allow everyone to find their own solution, so as each one can participate
• Collaborate to learn from others, give to others and together find new options
• Give things, materials and objects a second life. Reveal their soul, their hidden side, their multiple meanings, their “Buddhahood”
• View our society’s objects from a different perspective, repurpose, re-enhance, revitalise and re-enchant them