Bikepackers on a national mission

On Monday, September 21, Creighton and Mlynarczyk hit mile 5,128 at Coffee Planet in Ballston Spa. They rested their bikes in the sun to charge their traveling solar panels, and stepped inside to see how local business thrives in Saratoga County.

Their journey began on October 5, 2008 in San Francisco when Creighton and Mlynarczyk, inspired by the science behind climate change, set out to weave a visual network of environmental solutions and document their experiences along the way.

The pair is filming a living documentary of sustainable America by seeking out and experiencing life in eco-friendly sub-cultural pockets, where national problems are solved locally. Their goal is to educate America about climate change by presenting creative community solutions to current and imminent environmental catastrophes.

Along the way, they share their mission through presentations, workshops, and town hall-style meetings.

Their goal is to visit 100 sustainable communities, which are cooperative societies that are economically and ecologically balanced. So far, they have documented 80 eco-villages, cohousing sites, transition towns and co-ops.

According to Mlynarczyk, cohousing is a new spin on communal living that is "accessible to the mainstream." In these communities, residents live in smaller spaces with fewer appliances. They share common rooms and guest rooms and park all of their cars outside the development to encourage social interaction.

 The housing is built with environmentally friendly materials, solar technology, and innovative windows; all of which require less electricity.

Sustainable communities are where environmental and economical sustainability truly shines.  Everyone has a skill, a contribution to the town's economy.

Many of these communities limit their trade radius; exports and imports are transferred within 100 miles, thereby ensuring that local businesses and resources are utilized and supported. Creighton and Mlynarczyk advocate localized business and economic organization.

"There are so many ghost towns; places where generations of people put all of their heart and soul into, but once the major industry left there is nothing left," Creighton said.

She described her impression of Glens Falls. How desolate the town seemed, while the pres0ence of an old paper factory indicated an economically thriving past.

The bikepacking pair aims to educate people about the factors that lead to these ghost towns, showing how the structure of sustainable communities is a sort of ghost town vaccine.
Their documentary will present active solutions to current problems, placing an emphasis on environmental awareness.

"We are retraining ourselves to rely on less, by getting out of our comfort zone. After this experience, any living situation will be comfortable. Nature competes with Xbox now. Even in small farming town, kids long for the technological entertainment that is so popular in the cities. But in these communities, kids realize the value of nature. I say to them, 'you've got something there kid,'" Mlynarczyk said.

It's all about awareness. Creighton and Mlynarczyk hope their documentary will inspire dramatic change.

 "We want to inspire people to not get overwhelmed and just take it one step at a time. It is a journey towards sustainability. It doesn't happen over night," Mlynarczyk said.

People can add some green to any part of lives and lifestyle, whether it is installing a solar panel, educating their children, remembering to recycle, or setting out to explore the alternatives. Every little effort is a step in the right direction,  and a motivator for continuing in that direction.

 The Within Reach documentary will make clear that in order for humans to survive as a species, lifestyle changes are absolutely vital.

 "The scariest statistic is that by mid century, one tenth of the world population will be environmental refugees. That means 10 percent of the planet will be moving around," Mlynarczyk said. "There is still time. The solutions are not big unknowns."

"We're not telling people they are wrong in how they live. We're just trying to shed some light. Only once you reach within is sustainability within reach," Creighton said.

To learn more about Creighton and Mlynarczyk's journey or for updates on their documentary, visit their website www.withinreachmovie.com.