An Era for LOHAS

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Facilitator: Clare
Article by Oscar Chong
LOHAS means “lifestyles of health and sustainability.” This acronym was coined in 2000
by sociologist Paul Ray and psychologist Sherry Anderson in their book The Cultural Creatives:
How 50 Million People Are Changing the World. According to these two American scholars,
there are millions of Lohasians, or “cultural creatives,” living in the United States today.

Lohasians believe in leading a healthy lifestyle that is actively involved in preserving the
earth’s environment and resources. According to Lohasians, respect for one’s own mental
and physical health should exist in parallel with care for the earth’s ecology. They believe
their actions, in this way, can have a positive effect on our global environment, and might be
able to reverse the negative effects of mindless, selfish consumption.

On the road, Lohasians tend to opt for bicycles as a means of transportation, since bikes
produce no pollution, take up less space than cars, and allow riders to simultaneously
exercise and commute to and from work or school. Off the road, Lohasians want to enter
eco-friendly structures. Therefore, favored buildings for them will be those using water,
electricity, and other resources more efficiently. This can be achieved through employing
“green building” methods and techniques, including well-thought-out design and the use of
environmentally friendly materials, such as organic paint and heat-insulating tiles. Although
these green practices are not likely to bring immediate benefits to the environment and the
health of people today, Lohasians are confident that these practices will benefit their
children and future generations.

Indeed, Lohasians are always contemplating the long-term impact of their behavior on
the planet. In addition, they believe in the mutual cultivation of body and mind. Yoga is
understandably popular among Lohasians because it helps maintain a balance between
mental and physical development. Simplicity is also valued, because it is thought to be of
crucial importance to a sound body and a sustainable environment. Accordingly, Lohasians
stay away from rich foods and avoid luxury goods, the production of which often involves the
excessive use of resources.

As more consumers are adopting LOHAS values, the corporate world has started to
respond to this growing trend by beginning to practice responsible capitalism, which means
providing goods and services using environmentally friendly and economically sustainable
business practices.

Clearly, LOHAS values have become a significant trend in the world today. Individual or
corporate “cultural creatives” are promoting these values by challenging old traditions,
kicking old habits, and building new lifestyles. In the LOHAS philosophy, this is an era for
change and for revolutionary concepts that benefit the mind and body. It is an era in which
all individuals should evolve into Lohasians and take action to save the planet, before it is too
late.

Question for discussion

1. Generally speaking, Green Buildings are more expensive. But, why Lohasians choose to
live in the buildings that were built with “green building” methods and techniques? Will
you choose to live in green buildings?
2. In Chinese, the literal translation of LOHAS means “happy life.” How do you define a
happy life? What are its essential elements?
3. What’s your attitude toward LOHAS movement, approve, oppose, or indifferent?
4. The statements below are examples of LOHAS practices. Check the one(s) that you do.
Then, add up the practice(s) you have checked and see which category you fit into. Share
the results with everyone.
□ a. I seldom eat rich foods, such as hamburgers and cakes.
□ b. I enjoy eating organic foods because they are free of chemicals.
□ c. When eating out, I use my own chopsticks.
□ d. I don’t buy over-packaged products.
□ e. I reduce and recycle my waste as much as possible.
□ f. I care about both my physical and mental health.
□ g. I go to school on foot, by bicycle, or by public transportation.
□ h. I exercise because it is good for my health.
□ i. I live a simple life and seldom buy unnecessary items.
□ j. I usually buy foods that are locally grown.
Categories:
0-2 Un-oh! You don’t seem to care too much about your health or the environment.
3-5 Not good enough! These results leave a lot to be desired.
6-8 So far so good! You could still be a bit more active, though.
9-10 Excellent! You are a true LOHAS follower.