Defining Our Perception of 'Sustainability'

It is difficult to broach the subject of 'sustainability' without first talking about the tragic loss of all meaning of the word 'sustainability'. I find it very interesting talking to people about sustainability because I have noticed that not many people know what it means. They know it is good and healthy... for the planet... and like, other stuff. This loss of meaning is partly due to our age of information's knack for absolutely bludgeoning us over the head with buzz words but failing to provide any depth or substance. What's worse in 2008, when the word was really at its zenith of fame companies began to put forth an incredible campaign of 'greenwashing'. My favorite example of green washing was when McDonald's rolled out a campaign with the debut of the film, “Avatar”. They encouraged their customers to super-size meals in order to save the rain forest. In reality, McDonald's has played a major roll in the destruction of the Amazon to encourage cheaper beef production. Here's a link to equally mind bending examples of green washing:

http://webecoist.momtastic.com/2009/03/22/greenwash-worlds-worst-greenwashers/

When one thinks about sustainability, I suppose one thinks about solar panels or perhaps a Toyota Prius or a wind turbine. These are all wonderful things that I fully support but they don't come close to a comprehensive solution to the current ecological crisis. They are more like a drop in the bucket. I would like to argue that Sustainability (or Resiliency or being eco-friendly... whatever you want to call it) is like a big, wild jungle out there teeming with small and large companies, organizations, communities, and individuals that each have their own niche and philosophy. Like any healthy ecology our movement needs to be diverse. There arenon-profits that work to build resiliency in rural communities, greentech companies that are looking to expand, permaculturists who are seeking to create their own food and energy sufficiency and communities in the developing world working for a more just way of life.

Each actor in this ecology is working towards a more sustainable future yet there are big differences in the vision of that future. Every little bit helps. Sustainability does not have to be confined to popular prescriptions. In fact, it is the unconventional, practical and low cost solutions that communities from around the around are initiating.

For example, these four girls in Nigeria invented a urine powered generator.

In the north of England, Pam Warhurst's community is learning to eat their landscapes.

Izhar Gafniinvented a $20 bicycle.

Solutions like these are a proving ground to the fact that to be sustainable you don't need to have money. In fact, the more abundant, low cost sustainable solutions we have the better the movement will be. The majority of people in the world do not have the capital to buy a Prius, or a brand new set of solar panels on their roof. Our perception of sustainability needs to first embrace the low cost and practical solutions. Or rather escape the paradigm that we need some technological fix or expensive purchase to be “green”. Often times, a life style change is needed; shop at a farmer's market, ride a bike, compost etc.

The important thing to remember is that everyone plays a part in making this world more livable. We share a common goal for a better, more ecologically-sound future. It is important to spread ideas and help one another. Compare and contrast which systems are most effective, least polluting and most productive.

In order to truly define Sustainability, it has to be a daily and open conversation. I was sitting in a park eating chicken when a friend criticized me after I threw a bone into some bushes. It's not that big of a deal, I thought, after all chicken bone is organic material that will eventually decompose. We then talked about what would be the best solution to this issue. The ideal solution would be a public compost container but alas we live in Taiwan and waste containers of any kind are hard to come by. Our conclusion is not as relevant as our conversation itself. We were two people asking ourselves what is the most ecologically responsible thing to do in this instance.

I think having that dialogue is an absolutely necessary if we want to remain true to our convictions. Or as my friend said it best, “...If you are really serious about this whole sustainability thing.”

On the trip, I hope to investigate all sorts of energy systems in order to bring a greater context in the effort of finding renewable energy. I am eager to define my own outlook on what is 'sustainable'. All systems and organizations that claim to be sustainable need to be looked at with an earnest acceptance but a healthy scrutiny. Every avenue of modern life will need to explored and discussed. Describing and determining our definition of what it is to be sustainable is not only useful but imperative if we hope to affect real change.