The Kerala experience of good life at low incomes suggests limits to the amounts of Earth resources which each human needs. In the case of humans sustainability we have noticed a Kerala benchmark as a measure of this limit. At the same time we noted that this limit was compelled (not Malayalee altruism) by the Kerala environmental context---limited resources per capita available in India.

Human behavior appears to be a mixture of what we are compelled to do and what our higher nature suggests we ought to do.  Much of the behavior of those who read this is not compelled---witness the voluntary simplicity movement. (Dominguiz) Two writers firmly grounded on the compulsion of our environment gently remind us that the linked fates of humanity and the natural realm depend on us as consumers. Humans can curtail their ecologically destructive ways and cultivate the deeper, non material sources of fulfilment---family and social relationships, meaningful work, and leisure.

Donella Meadows(b) tells of her experience sharing a comprehensive analysis of human behavior (Limits to Growth) within a whole Earth. Challenging a paradigm like consumerism in not part time work. "It is not sufficient to make your point once and than blame the world for not getting it. The world has a vested interest in, a commitment to, not getting it. The point has to be made patiently and repeatedly day after day."

Eknath Easwaran, an Indian with Kerala roots, challenges us to leave pessimism behind and discover that we live in a compassionate universe, where there is no conflict between our fulfilment as individuals and the health of the Earth. "The solution to our environmental crisis lies in the fullness of our lives as individuals, in our compassion, daring, and artistry."

(Directory)  March 20, 2000