No Impact Man was questionable at certain times. I questioned the credibility of the documentary because I am unsure of how determined a parent would be to risk not providing their growing child the nutrition she needs in order to “save the trees”. I just could not fathom a parent willingly giving that up. The unsanitary conditions (no toilet paper? really?) that follow are also not something I would want to put my family through. Had Colin done this by himself, I would not have had any complaints. The fact that he forced his family to go through this with him is what gets under my skin. Some things such as walking to their workplace is something that not everyone can do. People who are not in the city do not have a choice and must take some form of transportation to get to work on time. While the family did a great job, I feel that there are many ways to have less of a negative impact on the environment and I also feel that this was a bit over-the-top and an extreme take on what can be done to better the Earth.
Examples include getting more active in recycling and advocating for a better recycling system in the US, planting trees, donating extra shopping money to organizations that help and protect wildlife instead of buying $900 boots, riding your bike, walking, taking the bus, using less plastic, and just spending more time outside and appreciating nature. Reinforcing that positive attitude about nature to young children and the people around us is also a very important action to take. In order for many people to begin having less of an impact, they have to WANT to have less of an impact. They have to care about the Earth and work together to preserve the beauty of what nature can provide.
Bioventures 
I agree with your point about questioning the credibility of the film. It seems odd that a parent would deny a very young child nutrients that are essential to healthy growth. It’s almost as though the whole experiment was more important to Colin than taking care of his family health- wise.
I had a similar opinion of Colin’s (for lack of a better word) selfishness. Although Michelle had a distasteful personality at times, I picture myself in that situation and know I’d be extremely frustrated. And for someone as materialistic as she, I’m quite impressed with her transformation throughout the documentary. She was forced to make some very drastic changes to her lifestyle. Colin asked her to give up convenience, sanitation, and the desire for “stuff” that’s human nature, and that was asking a lot from his wife and child.
This documentary was very extreme. But I think that might be a good thing. It says this: if one family can make such extreme changes, it shouldn’t be difficult for everyone to make small changes. And you had some great ideas! Recycling, planting trees, riding your bike or walking, and more. Most of these changes should be fun anyway. The earth is asking us to use less fuel and plastic, and I hardly think that’s asking much. Taking walks with friends and enjoying the excitement of farmer’s markets can even be considered “hobbies”, not “demands”. You make a good point about reinforcing the positive attitude. I think it’s important to stress that in helping to save the planet, we can become a more fun, social, and healthy community.
-Brenna
I always get weirded out by these kinds of documentaries, a lot of times I see them as a bit to much for the average american to attach any sort of actual thought to and that defeats the purpose of making the film. this one sort of won be over though. I mean it was a pretty normal family doing all these extreme things to limit their impact on the enviorment. there were things that I honestly can’t see my self doing at this point in my life. other things though I could be totally down with doing. not using any plastic or non biodegradable containers. purchasing FAAAAr less meat. buying local produce and what have you those are are attainable feets a lot of people can get down with
I really liked your idea on how to educate the population on earth issues without being so alien to society. I do think that education is key, but I also agree that getting them to care is even more important. Maybe schools need to take more field trips to local parks with children so they can learn things on site and hands on, and also have certain state by state promotions in parks where some days in the year they encourage their citizens to go out into the community by making programs such as trash collecting, planting trees, etc. Something that would bring the community together and get people to care about each other and the earth. I think the reason why we may not care about the earth is the same reason why we do not care about our fellow human. It is individuality and non exposure to them. If the community had certain fun events to bring humans together in the community to care about the earth, we would be killing two birds with one stone.