Re-evaluating Sustainability

My idea of sustainability has evolved. I don't want to say that it has changed, because I believe that part of what I said initially is true. I still believe that sustainability refers to being able to support all living things with one earth, but now I just have more to add to my definition. Sustainability is not a blanket term that can be applied like a cookie-cutter. After taking this class I believe that part of the reason the word is so impactful is because it can be altered based on different cultures, while still maintaining an implied goal to those different cultures. I think we really touched on this idea in one of our last classes, because we all got to discuss what sustainability meant to us and what the advantages and disadvantages were of having such diverse definitions.

Ok, so to add to what I started the class with, I think sustainability is putting an awareness into practice. An example would be being aware of conservation and more environmentally friendly options, but not discarding what you already have for the choice that makes you feel better. We talked about this in class, is it really any better to buy a 'green' cleaning product to replace an older one without using it entirely? Probably not. Being aware of the impact you have on the environment, the lives of living things around you, and the future environments (and consequently lives) of living things is extremely important, but it is only the first step. Taking what you have learned and what you are aware of and actually using it to change the way in which you live is what is more important. In the article "Two Meanings of Sustainability," Lester Brown, Christopher Flavin, and Sandra Postel say it best. To them, "A sustainable society is one that satisfies its needs without jeopardizing the prospects of future generations." The key word that is left out of this phrase is "want." Sustainability is not about materially satisfying our wants, but about satisfying our needs. In our consumerist society, I think we often confuse the two things. We are beginning to think that we need more and more items that we would survive quite sufficiently without.

I think that sustainability is better understood as a goal and a cycle rather than a word with one specific definition. We have so much stuff that we don't even know what to do with it all. Also, as evidenced in the "Stuff" book, we do not even pay attention to where things come from and how much effort is put forth in order to bring it to us. I think it would be truly amazing if we could overlook our wants and just focus on our needs. If we did that, maybe we would not only become sustainable, but have more time for the people around us and would be more appreciative of what we have.

I really enjoyed taking this class and all of our readings/discussions. I wish everyone the best of luck with figuring out how to make others more aware of the goals of sustainability and to put that awareness into action! :)