Seven-Plus Wonders of Sustainability – Timeless Lessons for a Greener Future
Seven-Plus Wonders of Sustainability by Donella Meadows
A couple of years ago, while I was doing something else, I heard snatches of a radio program in which Alan Durning, the director of Seattle’s Northwest Environment Watch, talked about the “Seven Sustainable Wonders of the World.” Clever concept, I thought, but afterward I could only remember three of his wonders:
The bicycle — the most energy-efficient form of transport ever devised. It doesn’t emit pollution, it runs on renewable energy, it makes its user healthier, it’s easy to repair, it requires little in the way of pavement or parking lot, and 80 percent of the world’s people can afford one. (Only 10 percent of the world’s people can afford a car.)
The clothesline — even more affordable than the bicycle, runs on solar energy, no wires, no electricity, no pollution, and your clothes come out smelling sweet.
The ceiling fan — the air conditioner of the tropical world, which I fondly remember turning slowly and romantically in rooms all over India. A fan makes a space feel 9 degrees F. cooler than it really is. A typical ceiling fan draws no more than 75 watts, about as much as a single incandescent light bulb, only one-tenth as much as an air conditioner. And it doesn’t make the air stale and clammy, the way air conditioners do.
Now what were those other four Sustainable Wonders Alan came up with? I couldn’t remember. I kept meaning, and forgetting, to call him and ask. So I was delighted to see that he passed his idea on to a colleague, John C. Ryan, who has just put out a little book called Seven Wonders (Sierra Club Books, San Francisco). Here are the other four:
The condom — protects against some of the world’s worst diseases, gives parents control over the size and timing of their families, helps control population growth. “Those are big jobs for a flimsy tube of rubber,” says Ryan. One sustainability problem with this item is that it’s discarded after just one use. But it’s made from natural rubber, a renewable resource.
The public library — the written wisdom of the world at the fingertips of anyone with a library card! The average American pays $20 a year in taxes to support public libraries and can save that much by borrowing instead of buying just one or two books. A book that is loaned ten times cuts not only cost but paper use per read by a factor of ten.
Pad Thai — the highly seasoned Asian dish made of noodles, garlic, and vegetables, sometimes with bits of chicken or shrimp thrown in. Ryan doesn’t mean to celebrate that particular dish so much as the basic principle of “peasant” cooking around the world: start with starch, mix in veggies, add great seasonings, and use meat sparingly if at all. Could as well be tortillas and beans, or curry and rice, or spaghetti and tomato sauce. Healthy, cheap, do-it-yourself, easy on the planet, delicious.
The ladybug — constantly, without charge, without environmental damage, searching out and destroying plant pests. Your average ladybug scarfs up 40-75 plant-sucking aphids a day. Multiply that by 75,000 beetles per gallon, which farmers can order through the mail, and you’ve got one heck of an efficient pesticide. Something like 98 percent of sprayed chemical pesticides never even hit a pest, but ladybugs zoom right in on the aphids and nothing but the aphids.
After I finished reading Ryan’s book, which is full of interesting facts about these wonders, I started seeing Wonders of Sustainability all around me. There’s no reason to limit the list to seven. Here are some more:
The root cellar — temperature controlled by the earth, a way of storing potatoes, carrots, onions, cabbage, squash, turnips, beets, apples, dahlia tubers and gladiolus corms (that’s what goes in my root cellar) without moving parts, canning jars, boiling or freezing.
The basket — someone once told me that no one has yet succeeded in mechanizing the making of baskets. Whether or not that’s true, baskets, made all over the world by skillful hands out of renewable, biodegradable material, are lightweight, strong, beautiful, and reusable over and over.
The olive tree — it can live hundreds or thousands of years in dry, hot climates; like all trees it recycles carbon dioxide breathed out by us animals and turns it back into the oxygen we need; its roots hold the soil; its leaves break the impact of the rains; and it produces tasty, healthful olive oil.
The sari — and the sarong and the shawl, made of uncut, unsewn cloth colored and patterned as gorgeously as a butterfly, gracefully draped, comfortable, cool, adaptable. You can suspend babies in it or melons or firewood. You can hitch it up for wading, tuck it around your legs for bicycling or running, pull it over your face if you want shade or to be modest or to flirt. Never out of style. Easy to wash and dry. One size fits all.
The compost pile. The knitting needle. The canoe. This is fun. I could go on with this list, and so, probably, could you.
What do all these wonders have in common? Well, their kindness to the earth and to human health is what qualifies them for a sustainability list. They are accessible to anyone, inexpensive to obtain and maintain. Many of them serve not only practical but also esthetic needs; they satisfy the eye, the palate, or the soul. Most are old in concept, though they may have modern variations. Something like them has evolved in many different cultures. Most are objects you can buy, but usually from a local maker, not a multinational corporation.
Maybe that’s why we don’t much appreciate the humble, sustainable wonders around us. Their value is too obvious to need touting. You only have to spend billions “marketing” something if its worth is in doubt.
Seven-Plus Wonders of Sustainability: Timeless Lessons for a Greener Future
When I revisited Donella Meadows’ “Seven-Plus Wonders of Sustainability,” I was reminded of the profound simplicity and elegance of sustainable living. Written over two decades ago, her list celebrates everyday objects and practices that epitomize the principles of sustainability. These “wonders” may appear humble at first glance, but their impact on our lives and the planet is immense. Let’s explore her original seven wonders and reflect on how they remain relevant in today’s world.
The Original Seven Wonders of Sustainability
1. The Bicycle
Today, the bicycle remains a symbol of green living. Cities like Copenhagen and Amsterdam have demonstrated the transformative potential of prioritizing bike-friendly infrastructure. In a world dominated by cars and emissions, the humble bicycle offers a solution that is both modern and timeless.
2. The Clothesline
Powered by the sun and wind, the clothesline is a simple yet effective way to dry clothes without energy consumption or emissions. It’s accessible, affordable, and functional.
The clothesline challenges us to rethink convenience. In an era of energy-hungry appliances, could a cultural shift back to clotheslines help households reduce energy consumption? The sweet-smelling, sun-dried laundry is just an added bonus.
3. The Ceiling Fan
The ceiling fan is an efficient alternative to air conditioning, consuming just a fraction of the energy. It cools rooms naturally and avoids the stale, clammy air often associated with air conditioners.
As global temperatures rise, ceiling fans deserve renewed attention in sustainable building design. Paired with natural ventilation strategies, they can significantly reduce energy consumption in tropical and temperate climates alike.
4. The Condom
An unconventional addition to the list, the condom represents control over population growth, a critical factor in sustainability. It helps mitigate pressure on resources, supports public health, and empowers families to make informed choices.
In the context of today’s discussions on global equity and resource allocation, access to family planning remains a cornerstone of sustainable development. Investments in reproductive health can have profound social and environmental benefits.
5. The Public Library
Public libraries democratize access to knowledge while promoting resource efficiency. A single book borrowed ten times reduces paper use and emissions per read by 90%.
In the digital age, the library has evolved into a hybrid of physical and virtual spaces. Digital resources further amplify its sustainability benefits, reducing the need for physical production and distribution while maintaining equitable access to information.
6. Pad Thai (and Similar Peasant Dishes)
Meadows highlights Pad Thai to celebrate traditional, plant-based cooking that emphasizes starches, vegetables, and minimal meat. This principle applies universally to dishes like tortillas and beans, curry and rice, or spaghetti and tomato sauce.
Traditional diets aligned with this approach are inherently sustainable. They consume fewer resources, produce lower emissions, and promote better health outcomes. Encouraging plant-based eating is vital for addressing the environmental impacts of modern industrial agriculture.
7. The Ladybug
The ladybug is a natural pesticide, devouring plant-sucking aphids and other pests without harmful chemicals. This tiny beetle embodies sustainable pest control at its finest.
The ladybug reminds us that nature often provides solutions that are more effective and environmentally friendly than human-made alternatives. Integrating natural systems into agriculture is key to reducing reliance on chemical inputs.
Meadows’ Timeless Wisdom
These seven wonders share common traits: they are accessible, low-impact, and ingenious. They solve problems without complicating them and improve both human and environmental health. As Meadows points out, their value is so obvious that it often goes unnoticed, overshadowed by less sustainable alternatives that require heavy marketing to justify their worth.
Seeing the Wonders Around Us
Meadows’ list invites us to look for sustainability in the everyday objects and practices that surround us. Her article inspired her to expand the list with items like the compost pile, the knitting needle, and the canoe. These are humble yet impactful tools that reflect resourcefulness, beauty, and a deep connection to nature.
What Would Your List Include?
As I reflected on Meadows’ wonders, I started identifying my own. Here are a few:
- The Solar Panel: Harnessing renewable energy to power homes and businesses, solar panels are a modern wonder that echoes the simplicity of the clothesline.
- The Reusable Water Bottle: A small but significant tool in the fight against single-use plastics.
- Urban Green Spaces: Parks and green roofs that cool cities, clean the air, and provide a refuge for people and wildlife alike.
Applying the Lessons Today
Meadows’ wonders offer more than inspiration—they serve as a blueprint for rethinking sustainability. Here’s how we can incorporate her wisdom into our daily lives and broader societal efforts:
- Revisit Simplicity: Solutions don’t always need to be complex or high-tech. The bicycle and clothesline are proof that simple, accessible tools can create profound change.
- Promote Cultural Shifts: Encourage behaviors that prioritize resource efficiency and environmental health. Whether it’s riding a bike or borrowing a library book, individual actions add up.
- Integrate Nature’s Wisdom: From ladybugs to natural pest control, sustainable practices often involve working with nature rather than against it.
- Champion Equity: The condom and public library remind us that sustainability is about fairness—ensuring resources, knowledge, and opportunities are accessible to all.
Closing Thought
The wonders Meadows identified—and the many more we can add—show that sustainability isn’t about deprivation; it’s about enhancing our lives while protecting the planet. Her article is a call to appreciate the ingenuity of the tools we already have and to use them to build a more sustainable future.
What are your sustainable wonders? Take a moment to reflect on the tools, practices, and innovations that bring value to your life while caring for the earth. Together, we can celebrate these wonders and inspire others to rediscover them.