b'To live in harmony with the larger bioticand physical beauty is ultimately unfulfilling. community, it is likely that humans will needThose who take social and environmental to pursue an alternative vision of humanchallenges seriously recognize the need flourishing based on something morefor a change of lifestyle but often do not than fear of future harm and the perpetualhave a clear sense of how to accomplish pursuit of economic wealth. However, mixedit. They realize that purchasing Energy Star reactions greet the suggestion that a shift inappliances, recycling, changing to LED lifestyle is needed to successfully respond tolight fixtures, eating less meat, and buying the threats posed by global climate change.an electric or hybrid vehicle are not nearly On the one hand, those in developed nationsenough to keep the planet below 2C (3.6F) often live a fairly comfortable life, and givingwarming this century. Stabilizing the climate up these luxuries sounds neither easy norand avoiding the most devastating results appealing. On the other hand, many ofof global warming requires more significant these same people also recognize that a lifechange. Those in the developed nations dedicated to the pursuit of wealth, prestige,ought to change their lifestyle in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but what exactly would this new lifestyle look like?Since the late 1970s, the social scientist and author Duane Elgin has conducted social scientific research on different models of human living. He has concluded that living a life of voluntary simplicity is not only necessary for avoiding catastrophic climate change but also can be much richer, if one is willing to expand the conception of riches beyond the pursuit of material wealth.Leading a life of voluntary simplicity means focusing on what will bring genuine and more-enduring forms of happiness and success: meaningful work that is worth doing, time with family and friends, and time in nature.30 AspireVolume 1//Winter 2020 Subscribe today! smp.org/aspire'