Defining Community Sustainability
My definition and outlook upon community sustainability has fluctuated drastically throughout the semester. Every reading or discussion it would seem some new idea would capture my attention and cause me to re-think my previous stance on the subject. This was by no means a negative thing, but led to a variable definition for me for most of the year. However, with the close of the semester, as well as themester, I believe I have my definition in place.
Community sustainability, is a grouping of people, working as one, to consciously diminish their impact on the natural environment and Earth's resources, while meeting their needs to live comfortably.
I chose this definition because of the numerous elements involved. "A grouping of people, working as one", emphasizes the social capital and civic mindedness necessary in addressing the issue of sustainability as a community. "to consciously diminish their impact on the natural environment and Earth's resources", this statement addresses both carrying capacity and ecological footprint, a community that acts in this manner would be conscientious of their resources use (water, energy, fossil fuels, food), while actively protecting the natural area around them, in a way which would leave the following generation in a better position. The last component of the definition, "while meeting their needs to live comfortably", addresses that these people are not making sacrifices, they are comfortable living within this lifestyle, simply choosing a different way to live, that does not emphasize waste and consumerism as the end all. I feel that this definition encompasses the most important ideas that were emphasized during the semester, from class discussion, readings, guest lecturers, and themester events, while maintaining a air of simplicity, common enough the majority of the people to buy into the concept.
Thoughts on class and sustainability as a whole
As with my definition, my thoughts on sustainability have fluctuated greatly during the semester. Like a sine curve, there were moments I doubted that achieving sustainability was possible and moments were I thought it could be realized in my lifetime. The biggest problem I currently see is that the majority of people concerned with sustainable development are those that have already bought into the concept. Even at the themester closing events, it was apparent that the consensus of the crowd was that they understood and accepted the challenges ahead. Many events and meetings regarding sustainability have the same theme, it is only the people who have already accepted what is going on. If we could get the majority of the planet on the same page, living sustainably would not be as lofty a goal as it is now. Perhaps this country needs to see some more drastic effects from our lack of sustainable living in order to push this point home, or maybe the shear growth of the "movement" will attract patrons, but whatever the means, it remains clear that there will be vast hurdles to sustainable living unless the majority of a nations constituents understand and accept changes that need to occur.
With that in mind, the more sustainability can be showcased in an academic arena, the more credit it will receive. This class has empowered me with a multitude of information, and knowledge of methods and people necessary to construct sustainable communities. By reading other students blogs as well as participating in discussion I was able to take in many different concepts and viewpoints, which have given me a toolbox, from which to build upon the ideas we have discussed. The projects were an arena to tackle a real life problem facing the sustainability of our Bloomington community, and coupled with themester it became an excellent opportunity to make an impact in the city.
It may be after I am too old and senile to understand, but I do feel that that within my life we will see major changes happen to the economic, environmental, social, human, and natural capitals present in this country, either we will be make this decision consciously or we will be forced to by unavoidable circumstances, but it will happen.
