sustainability v2.0

Reflecting on my first post about sustainability, I now think I have the knowledge to expand on the concept in a more purposeful way. Sustainability is more than just an ethic. In order to be truly effective, sustainability has to be a means of existence.

Originally, I wrote that sustainability was about respect: to the planet, to others, and to future generations. That was all well and good, but respect is not enough. I respect my mother, but I don't always do everything she asks of me. It takes planning, commitment, and sacrifice. Sacrifice is the key ingredient, and thus the biggest barrier to true, worldwide sustainability because the average American consumer does not understand anything but consumption. It's consume, consume, consume versus reduce, reuse, recycle. In this regard, sustainability can move from the bottom-up, beginning with consumer ethics. But it must be strong, and there must be sacrifice in order for the "movement" to stick.

I also took a course called "Environmental Economics" this semester, and although it seems like an oxymoron, it really helped clarify what it means to be sustainable. The class also taught me about the limitations of our current systems (food, energy, everything) and the government in taking proper action toward environmental issues. Agricultural subsidies, capitalism, oil, everything promotes the ethic of "more is better." Again, this echoes back to the necessity of sustainable existence, and reformation of the broken system to include sustainable ideals and environmental incentives is how sustainability can move from the top-down, beginning with policy.

This post may seem like a bit of a rant, and it might actually be one. But please read it carefully, because I believe I've pointed out some of the things that environmental studies often misses: the economic side. It's all about incentives, and if you don't make it worth their while, the big producers will never listen. It's a sad fact, but a fact nonetheless. Supply and demand are two sides of the same flawed coin.  The world needs a change of currency, a change in the value system. That's how sustainability (or whatever we call it next) can happen.

Here's a side note that I think you all will enjoy. About two years ago I stumbled across something called the "100 Thing Challenge", in which you essentially pair down your belongings until you reach 100, then live with 100 things or less for a year. The man behind this movement, Dave, found it quite liberating to not be consumed by his material things. After reading many of his posts, I also decided to take the challenge. I haven't been able to reach 100 quite yet, but I think I have approximately 136 things right now. In my opinion, this challenge can be especially relevant to college students, since we don't necessarily have a permanent place to stay. Having fewer things has made my life easier, simpler, and a lot more flexible because my possessions aren't keeping me glued to the ground. I'll provide the link, and I seriously challenge you all to give it a shot. It sounds extreme, but it's actually very fun, and not as difficult as you'd think. If we are to truly live sustainably, we must first learn to live without stuff.

Or http://www.guynameddave.com/100-thing-challenge.html, in case the image link doesn't work.

I've enjoyed taking this class with people who have different opinions about sustainability. It's refreshing, and I've learned quite a bit. See you all in Sustainability 201.