Sustainability
can have thousands of different meanings for thousands of different people.
That being said, it can be incredibly difficult to deal with the problems that
threaten to destroy the natural world. As many people in my life know, I’m
interested in the policy aspect of environmental preservation and protection.
But there are many ways we all can start to make it difference in our lives and
those we share them that this program introduced to me.
Leading
by example can be a really great way to create change in a community. Most of
the things I will suggest I either experienced here or read about as a result
of this program. As pessimistic as I am about people and their apathetic
tendencies, the desire for community still exists. That can be fulfilled in
really simple ways that also create a forum for ideas to grow and flourish.
Being an active part of positive change can mean something as simple as leading
by example, such as growing vegetables or herbs in your backyard and inviting
friends or family to help, and learn in the process. These kinds of actions
also apply to making small lifestyle changes, like eating less meat or dairy
products, composting, biking more and driving less, giving up cosmetics,
replacing chemical cleaning products with ‘friendlier versions’, buying local,
having communal meals and potlucks, there’s an endless list of the
‘conventional’ (or maybe the occasional unconventional) things we hear
everyday. Things we all know we should do, but we don’t. The group dynamic we
have here has facilitated little challenges, not immense but feats for
ourselves that have helped me realize my potential as an individual. Giving up
shampoo for the entirety of this trip will be one that hopefully lasts much
longer than this program. There was also a week with no sugar, and a week with
no bread. These kinds of acts get you into the mode necessary for making
permanent change, and helping you realize how you overcome challenges with the support
of others.
Other
simple solutions could be hosting a night at your house where people can come
discuss a book, or watch a documentary. Just having a forum with some central
catalyst, where people can freely discuss can do a lot of good with spreading
ideas and facilitating creative solutions. So much more really can be done with
many hands and hearts in the right place. Watching documentaries is something
we do twice a week with one another, but can really make a difference in how
someone thinks and can be driven to share those new thoughts with others.
We are lucky enough here to have an
international perspective of different issues, and have been able to hear about
movements or theories from members of the community. If you have a skill, or
knowledge of some theory or movement or idea, share it! That is something that
can really drive a sense of community while also giving people food for
thought, just a different way of being together.
Where you choose to spend your money
can also be an easy change, but might be difficult financially. The slow food
movement, and the creation of the ‘locovore’ aren’t just fads; they’re
adaptations to a dying planet, and I think Americans need to readjust their belief
that food should be cheap. We have the capability to spend our money on better,
local food because we can take it from another area of our lives, such as
cutting back on energy usage, or learning to live without cable TV or wireless
internet in your home. They may be things you’ve read or heard before, but I
think it’s high time the ideas were realized.
Links to get you started, but these websites are useful for other information as well.
http://www.organicconsumers.org/btc.cfm
-Nora
-Nora
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