Beavan is the author. He is a writer who lives in New York City and who has written books on history. He describes his upbringing in Westport, a small coastal town in Massachusetts where he enjoyed leisurely meals with his frugal, “waste-not, want-not” grandparents. His brother David at 8 months old, when Beavan was 4, and his uncle killed himself in his 20s. As a result, the author is very aware of the fragility of life and of the planet.

He devotes himself and his family to a one-year project to create “No Impact” by reducing their energy use and doing good to offset the waste they create. He dedicates himself to finding solutions to reduce his impact on the environment, including using his bike, carrying his cup everywhere, installing a solar panel, and eating local food, among other solutions. His idea is not only to reduce waste but also to live a more meaningful life, and his project is picked up by the media.

Michelle, the author’s wife, is 39 and lives with him and their daughter and dog, Frankie, in an apartment in downtown Manhattan. She grew up very wealthy in North Dakota, and her family is materialistic.