The first annual 21st Century Citizen Award!!

When you are lucky enough to find the inspiration you're looking for from a kindred spirit, you've got to pass it on. In fact, the work of Thomas J. Elpel is just such a phenomenon that I've decided to name him my 21st Century Citizen of 2010. Here is a guy who has used most of his life figuring out how to be not only a responsible user of his own energy and resources, but also to help people understand how they can do the same in our economic ecosystem. I really admire the approach he took to writing his book: Direct pointing to real wealth. It is sort of an odd title, but the founding message of his thesis is unmistakably sound and appealing. Here is the basic premise:

"The first key to effective resource use is to creatively mimic nature in it's efficiency and synergism to close the loop on all kinds of waste at home and in business, from wasted materials and energy to wasted time, money and labor."

Early on his goal was to build his own energy efficient home and avoid having a mortgage so that he could achieve the greater goal of not having to work for someone else to have the life he wanted.

"...money is representative of calories, and the fewer we expended the fewer we would need to earn."

and:

"... we made our house energy efficient so that we would not have to work all our lives to pay high energy bills."

He repeatedly uses the analogy of calorie intake and consumption as the model for deciding where best to place your own resources for maximum return. This is but a taste of all the wisdom one can glean from this book, and no doubt his others. His writing alone might have earned him my citizen award, but that he also wants to teach others sustainable home building practices is the real winning element.
So what you might ask is the prize for this award? Uh, good question. I'll have to expend a few calories to create a suitable token of appreciation. As always, stay tuned for the next installment......