Sustainability

A New England girl, I have always loved the changing seasons and being outside as much as possible.

It is now March and –wrapping up Visions Internships’ first quarter on Wellbeing– it is time to talk about Our Planet, with a focus on Sustainability, often defined as a way of living that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

Sustainability, while seemingly abstract, touches all aspects of our daily lives– including many things we may take for granted such as where our water, food, and energy come from and where our waste goes. Sustainability takes into consideration People, Planet, AND Profit (AKA the “triple-bottom line”) when planning and implementing. 

How did I get interested in Sustainability?

I was 10 years old when the Exxon Valdez Spill happened. Those images of helpless oil-slicked animals were enough to make me pursue a career in environmental protection.

I remember being in an environmental class in college when I learned we would need more than 5 planet earths (!) if everyone lived like the average American. WHAT!?

I also learned that the U.S. makes up less than 5% of the global population, yet we consume approximately 25% of the world’s natural resources. (You can check out THIS RESOURCE detailing the Environmental Footprint of the U.S. for more information.)

I couldn’t believe it. How could I possibly make a difference?

I decided I would become aware of the issues and understand my options to live more sustainably.

I also decided to give myself (and others) a little grace– Yes, individual choices (i.e supporting local farmers markets) are important, but there are also unsustainable societal structures (i.e. our intense reliance on nonrenewable energy) in need of transformation.

All of this month we will explore different layers of Sustainability– from the individual to societal levels. Next week we will look at how to calculate your individual Carbon Footprint, an eye-opening exercise for sure!

Especially with Earth Day coming next month, this month presents a perfect opportunity to discover something new about Our Planet and your own inextricable relationship to it. 

Peace To All,

Amy