I'm dating myself...my BS in Env. Science is now 14 years old.... I do believe that in making some changes...living simply...or simpler, to some extent, does set an example for others; and, more importantly, reduces the complications of one's own life.
Now, I'm not one to say I live simply to an extreme...like you, Graham, I've seen that those of us in the US, who have the time to be travelling and on the internet, live so far above most of the developing world it's staggering. Social consciousness may be in the form of reducing what we use; driving less, not buying that new car every 3 years, etc. I hope to teach my daughter to not give in to what seems to me to be somewhat rampant consumerism...
Of course, I may just be delusional...I do own a RTT and a refrigerator for my truck...really...who needs those....
-H-
