Slow is the New Efficient

the fastest way to save the planet is to slow down

Dec 01, 2024

“Slow is pro,” our skipper, Rita, said to us, again and again. I repeated these words under my breath like some kind of security-blanket-mantra when it was my turn to dock the boat. No one starts sailing because they are excited about manoeuvring in tiny marinas and docking the boat—or, as the Brits say, parking the boat.

The thing about motoring a sailboat is that you need just the right amount of speed. Too little, and you lose steerage because there’s not enough water moving past your rudder (imagine a car losing traction). Too much speed, and good luck not crashing into things. I find this a perfect metaphor for society right now. We have too much speed so we’re crashing into planetary boundaries.

Progress, as defined by Western society, typically means bigger, faster, more = better. And yet, it seems everyone is striving for a ‘slow life’ which appears only available to the privileged.

I recently read the post Efficiency is (Often) Bad for the Planet by Biocentric and it reminded me of this painting I did in grad school. I wanted to juxtapose two versions of “Efficient Transportation” and gave it that title. I was thinking about how our need to go faster, with travel and in nearly all parts of life, is so harmful to our planet; and also unnecessary, humans have lived without cars and planes before and many still do. The Jevons Paradox, as described by Biocentric, is when increased efficiency results in higher demand, thus eliminating whatever was saved from making the thing more efficient. Biocentric concludes we need to be “inefficient” to address climate and I couldn’t agree more; it was my goal for the painting and its title to provoke viewers to reconsider what is efficient and why.

*Efficient Travel, 36’ x 36’, acrylic on canvas, 2018 - currently hanging in the Marine Studies Initiative Office at Oregon State University*

In grad school, I was the Teaching Assistant for Modern Design. That class pointed out that the ‘efficiency’ of new technologies that were supposed to free housewives from so many domestic tasks did not—instead, more was expected of housewives because they suddenly had more ‘free time’ thanks to washing machines and dryers, advanced sewing machines, and dishwashers! In another class (in several, actually) we learned that while the efficiency of employees has increased by about 400% in the last 75 years, our working hours have only increased. Clearly, being more efficient at home or at work is not actually providing us with more time to enjoy life, including time with loved ones, hobbies, volunteering, vacationing, etc. That’s the ‘slow life’ for the privileged.

When we look at what is happening to the planet, efficiency needs to be redefined. My painting shows two modes of transportation: airplanes are efficient with time, while sea jellies are efficient with energy. In fact, sea jellies are drifters so they use virtually no energy to travel, they just let the ocean current do the work. As Biocentric points out, green energy transitions have lost their way because they try to maintain the speed of society while making energy more “efficient,” thus falling into the Jevons Paradox.

The solution is to be “inefficient” by current standards. We need to hang our clothes on a line to dry slowly; we need to move our bodies slowly by walking instead of driving. Modern society needs to be more like sea jellies and sailors. We need to partner with the wind, tides, and currents, using our engines only when absolutely necessary, and at just the right speed. Slow is pro.

Slow is the new efficient.

So how do we transform society from the fast-paced, hustle-bustle, overworked systems to something aligned with mental health and what our ecosystem offers us?

Creating a slow society requires rethinking our infrastructure, urban planning, and economic systems to support slower, more intentional living. Here are some collective approaches that go beyond individual choices and promote this shift. You can advocate for these by joining groups already involved in such efforts or starting your own group.

Please note: Not everything on this list is right for every person or group, nor is this list exhaustive—please share your ideas/actions in the comments. Major infrastructure changes can increase the quality of life for marginalised people, but that has not happened yet and so not everything on this list is immediately accessible to everyone. Part of what we must do is focus on the larger societal changes to make sustainability not just an accessible choice but the new ‘normal’ of how our society functions. Some of these actions can be taken individually, but forming groups around them creates a massive impact and supports systemic change. Moreover, when we act as a collective with diverse voices, we are better able to address the intersectionality of society’s shortcomings: social and environmental problems are inherently linked. Look for connections everywhere and listen to each other with kindness and empathy.

Urban Design

Create sustainable movement options, which prioritize the lowest energy use. Increase pedestrian-only areas, expand bike lines or create bike roads. “15 Minute” cities utilise smart, multipurpose zoning (or no longer use zoning at all) to ensure all essentials are within walking distance.
Accessible, high-quality public transit: trams, trains, streetcars, all running on renewable energy.
The above can result in de facto “car-free” zones, but they can also be created. Parking garages can be removed and replaced with green spaces/housing/just about anything else and supports the above two points.
While waiting on infrastructure changes, you can create walking/biking groups, transit buddies, carpool hubs, or other groups within your community that support the transition and show it’s not that radical.
Investing in parks, community centres, and cultural spaces provides areas where people can spend time without a consumer focus. Open spaces invite relaxation, socializing, and engagement with nature, reinforcing a slower lifestyle.
Multi-Generational Housing and other Community-oriented housing options that foster interdependence and mutual support, moving away from isolated, car-dependent suburbs. This is also ideal for land-use and reduces the financial burdens of rent/mortgages, childcare/eldercare, and reduces the burden of housework upon nuclear families (which were originally called ‘unstable families’ because they had no support from grandparents, aunties/uncles, cousins, neighbors, etc.) Basically, let’s get rid of suburbs, they are the worst for the planet and require car-ownership and often create long commutes (and have a racist history).

Reduce Shipping

Support local food systems: food forests, community gardens, local farms. Expanding access to community gardens, farmer’s markets, and urban farms helps reduce the environmental impact of transporting food across long distances. This also builds resilience in food supply chains. Support bioregional food networks like cooperatives, and farm-to-table restaurants. A carpool group without a local farmer’s market can go directly to farms to buy produce for the whole neighbourhood! Also, it will be more affordable because the farmers don’t have the overhead of transport, paying for a booth, and paying extra wages for staffing the booth. Find organisations that support food sovereignty, work to reduce food deserts, or start your own.
Buying local and engaging in trade strengthens local economies and reduces products being shipped from around the globe.

Break Free from Consumerism

The most sustainable product is the one you don’t buy. Join local Make It, Borrow It, and/or Swap It groups.
When one must shop, seeking products locally and supporting small businesses slows the need for ultra-fast, on-demand delivery services that increase emissions.
Seek out quality items that last.
Support local repair shops and makerspaces: Establishing repair cafes, makerspaces, and local repair shops helps communities rely less on disposable goods and fast consumerism, shifting toward a “repair, don’t replace” culture. This includes everything from electronics to mending clothes, bags and other textiles.
Community Tool Libraries or sharing programs for seldom-used items reduce unnecessary purchases, encourage sustainable living, and foster a sense of shared responsibility. This can include gardening tools, pots, leftover soil, a community compost, and/or home improvement tools and leftover products like tiles or paint.

Switch to a 4-Day Work Week and Hybrid

Reducing the workweek can lower energy consumption associated with commuting, building maintenance, and resource usage. Studies show it can also improve well-being and productivity, leading to a healthier work-life balance and potentially less consumerism.
For completely remote workplaces, having casual in-person meet-ups can foster community and improve teamwork; such meet-ups can center around an environmental issue with varying degrees of involvement from hiking to beach clean-ups or sustainable recipe cook-outs.

Slow Media & Communication

Encouraging more localized media reduces the pressure to be constantly updated on global news and can help people focus on local issues. It also slows down the pace of information overload, helping people feel more connected to their community.
Instead of solely relying on fast-paced social media, encourage in-person community gatherings, book clubs, or local forums that allow for slower, more meaningful exchanges.

Public Libraries

Nothing is more punk than a public library! Sharing is caring, and public libraries offer free community space for gatherings, free internet access, free books, movies, music, board games, etc.
Supporting public libraries is also critical in ‘internet deserts’ where service providers literally don’t provide internet service. There are millions of Americans living without home internet, something that is quickly being viewed as an essential utility, and those people are largely low-income communities and People of Color. Public Libraries can help democratize internet access and information in digital and physical formats.

Activism

Engaging with policymakers to promote slow-living principles, like reducing subsidies for industries reliant on fast turnover and high energy, can make a difference. Policies supporting eco-friendly urban planning, renewable energy, and fair labor practices can help slow down consumption and production cycles.
Education via schools, community programs, and nonprofits can educate about the environmental and social impacts of fast living and the benefits of slowing down. This can be combined with other community activities, like clothing swaps, community gardening, farm trips, advocating for pedestrian spaces/roads, craftivism events, etc. Actually slowing down and enjoying it will make a difference in how people perceive it.

How have you helped promote a slow society in your community?

Artist at Law

Discussion about this post