Guest Post: Maura Pierlot on The Problem of Plenty with Maura Pierlot

International award-winning children's book author, playwright and filmmaker, Maura Pierlot visits us today on the eve of her latest picture book release, Clutterbugs; a book that creates a nuanced look at creating vs consuming. Here's why she pursued this concept.

We live in an age where our self-worth is often built on what we have rather than who we are. The problem of plenty. 

Buried in our ‘stuff’ is the notion that property and possessions will improve our lives, but the converse is usually true. 

Abundance diminishes value. The more we have, the less content we seem to be. From every vantage point, fulfilment appears out of reach.

This relentless demand depletes natural resources and hastens environmental degradation. Yet, for some inexplicable reason, we continue to (over)consume, to dispose, to replace. If we have time to think about the environment, it’s a passing thought, often aspirational – I should take public transport to work tomorrow, I should grow vegetables, I should avoid plastics, I should cut down on food waste – rather than a firm commitment to live sustainably. We’re too busy deciding whether to buy the Chesterfield or the Davenport sofa, or when to nab the Bali flight deal.

These scenarios may seem over the top, but they’re all too real. In fact, many of us claim to keep sustainability front and centre when purchasing but choose a less eco-friendly alternative. Why?  Lower cost, greater convenience and lack of deliberation are often the culprits. In a world burdened with choice, decisions are instantaneous, with satisfaction a click away. Consumer goods move at record speed globally, leaving little for us to factor in long-term consequences. Older generations can trace the evolution of this mindset, having lived through all, or most, of its stages, but children today are born into the problem of plenty. Our job as parents, educators, family and community members is to help them cultivate a mindset that values quality over quantity and sustainability over disposability. 

Children are wiser and more capable than we think. In fact, their innate curiosity and sense of wonder make them both ideal advocates for change and powerful champions for sustainability. There’s no better way to equip them for this role than storytelling. Through the seamless integration of words and images, picture books can inform, empower, encourage and motivate children to see the beauty in simplicity and the power of their choices. 

The reasons writers put pen to paper are as varied as the stories they produce. Stories are dynamic vehicles that foster self-reflection, imagination, empathy, growth, moral development and connection. I aim to write stories that empower readers to care about themselves and the world, take responsibility for their choices and embody the values of the people they want to be. Writing about nature, the environment, ethics and wellbeing is a natural fit. 

Ultimately, the journey toward a more sustainable future requires all of us to pitch in. By empowering our children to embrace the principles of sustainability and instilling in them the values of responsibility and stewardship, picture books (like Clutterbugs) can empower young readers to make thoughtful decisions that contribute to the greater good. This is one of many ways to transform the problem of plenty into an opportunity for growth, creativity, and connection. 

In this new world, abundance is measured not by the things we possess but by the richness of our relationships and our commitment to caring for our planet.

 

Maura Pierlot is an award-winning author, playwright and filmmaker whose latest picture book, Clutterbugs, inspires responsibility, environmental awareness and sustainability. 

Connect with Maura via her website or through Instagram