Colin Beavan, Author of No Impact Man, to Give Public Talk

Photo Submitted

Colin Beavan, author of No Impact Man

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Colin Beavan, the author of No Impact Man, will discuss his book and take audience questions from 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, in the University of Arkansas Union Verizon Ballroom. This will be an opportunity for people taking part in the One Book, One Community project as well as anyone interested in sustainability, to hear the author speak about his experiences. The event is free and no tickets are required. A book signing will follow Beavan’s presentation.

No Impact Man is a chronicle of a lifestyle “experiment” that Colin Beavan and his family embarked on in 2006: They wanted to see if they could live sustainably for one year in New York City. The goal was to have no environmental impact – or as little negative impact as possible. Beavan, his wife, infant daughter and the family dog set out to avoid producing trash, use no petroleum products, eat only locally produced food, and stop buying new products. They turned off the heat in their apartment, stopped buying packaged products, replaced motor vehicles with bicycles, discovered New York’s extensive farmer’s market, and had little trouble finding what they needed in second-hand shops. Living completely without electricity, or without using elevators in 20-story buildings, was more difficult.

At the same time they strove to be “No Impact,” Beavan and his family found, to their surprise, that the experience made them happier.

Beavan blogged about the family’s trial and error progress, and that drew the attention of news media and ultimately a film crew, who made the documentary No Impact Man. Beavan published his book in 2009, continues to pursue a sustainable lifestyle with his family and is still sharing his experiences on his blog and in public appearances.

Thousands of people, on campus and in the community are reading and discussing No Impact Man this semester, and sustainability has been the theme of this year’s One Book, One Community project. Numerous events have been held this semester throughout the community, organized by members of the One Book, One Community committee, the office for campus sustainability, and others. Several more events are planned for the days surrounding Beavan’s appearance.

 The local group TheatreSquared will present “No Impact, Man!" a series of new short plays inspired by Colin Beavan's book, at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24, at the Fayetteville Public Library. Local actors will perform readings of works in progress written by local playwrights. The performance is free and open to the public.

University of Arkansas students will unveil “Think Outside the Bottle,” a sculpture made from plastic water bottles, on Monday, Oct. 24, on the Central Quad outside the Arkansas Union. The sculpture is made from 11,660 water bottles, the average number that are bought but not recycled in a single day on campus.

The sculpture will be the site of the Student Sustainability Council’s Drinking Water Info Expo from 9:30-11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27. The event aims to educate the campus population about drinking water facts and issues. Fact sheets, flyers, free reusable water bottles, and other information will be distributed by student volunteers. At 1:15 p.m. the office for campus sustainability will announce the winners of the first No Impact Competition on campus.

Later that day Beavan will visit with students who are reading his book as part of their Freshman Composition course.

Beavan will finish his visit to Fayetteville by speaking to members of local book clubs at the eighth annual Gathering of the Groups at the Fayetteville Public Library. The lunch event will begin at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 28, and is open to members of Northwest Arkansas book clubs only. Registration is required.