The word "sustainability" now rests with me as a quality of a closed system, independent to and dependent upon itself, which allows it to continue to exist for an infinite amount of itme. In our world, that system is planet Earth. The processes and functions of nature have been fine-tuned by time so to produce no waste, and completely recycle its self in a way that will enalbe it to continue forever, should the blaance be kept. The great efficiency of nature is evident with the study of Biomimicry. This revolves around attempting to copy the abilities and designs of organisms in nature to produce more effiicient machine--even the most recent science is coming back toward the perfecction of nature, the thing we are abusing!
In Society, many people push for sustainability and attempt practices that are "more sustainable." In reality, these people are attempting to grasp an intangible object. Sustainability's role in society has become a view where it has almost become a finish line--once it is reached people can stop running the race. In contrast to the thought of many, it is actually a state of mind that will probably be brought on when humanity is knocking at death's door. This mentality would dicates one's behaviors to things such as recycling anything used back through natural process of the Earth, while not harming the planet in any way. If humans are to reach this state, keeping the average American's lifestyle today would be impossible with the amount of waste and consumpton that goes on. One would probably even have to go to the extent of submerging them self completely into nature and "living off the land," but wouldn't it be kind of cool if everyone did that? I know I don't want to pay taxes and work all day!
If the Lifestyle Project and other student's activism projects showed me one thing about being sustainable other than it being a lifestyle, it is that in order to be more sustainable, one must also develop a more intimate relationship with your surroundings. This means going outside for natural light instead of using electrical lights indoors, or spending time with the people in your building in place of spending time with your television. Sustainability will certainly not be impossible, but will not be easy either, and will require the commitment of everyone to accept change in the sake of something bigger than themselves. When humanity cannot continue any longer and everything we rely on is gone, we will need to either form together or we will fall apart.
"Only when the last tree has been cut, the last river is polluted, and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money." -Native American Cree proverb
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