Wow...this semester went by fast! Throughout the course, I've been keeping a list of must-investigate books, online resources, and programs that have come up in readings, other students' blogs, or my own personal wanderings. I kept telling myself, "Soon! Soon you'll have time to sit down and soak it all in!" Unfortunately that hasn't happened yet, but the great thing about this course is that my list will still be relevant after the semester comes to a close. Because this sustainable community thing? It's about life, and our choices, and how they affect the world around us. And that doesn't change when finals week is over. How exciting, that we get to spend our careers making life better for people and the earth!
I consider myself to be fairly environmentally-minded and aware of the impacts of my actions. Before this class, I was well-versed in climate change and recycling and endangered species and biking and reduced consumption levels and all those other things we lump into the huge sustainability bubble. I incorporated that knowledge into my lifestyle, for the most part. Except that I still lived pretty comfortably in the mainstream world. This class has helped me to become disturbed again, which I count as a good thing. Without being a little uncomfortable, it's easy to fall into what's convenient because, you know, I'm just a graduate student with limited income, and big box stores and cheap food are pretty enticing. Until I am reminded to really think about it again and it becomes disgusting.
The overarching theme I'm taking away from this class is that of connections. That my actions and our societal paradigms, whether about food or transportation or economic growth, are interconnected and have social, economic, and environmental consequences. Additional connection--to methodologies, among students, between fields, across time, and to my own thoughts and passions--I elaborate on these below.
My other main takeaway is we need a better set of words to talk about this stuff. Vibrant, resilient, green, and of course, sustainable--all overused big time.
Ok, back to the more serious stuff. Main takeaways:
I guess I'll close with the two goals I have for myself going forward:
1) To stay 'uncomfortable', and to tailor my lifestyle accordingly, and
2) To stay connected with sustainability literature--make time to read interesting books and websites because they are important, even if they aren't required for a class.
Wish me luck!
I consider myself to be fairly environmentally-minded and aware of the impacts of my actions. Before this class, I was well-versed in climate change and recycling and endangered species and biking and reduced consumption levels and all those other things we lump into the huge sustainability bubble. I incorporated that knowledge into my lifestyle, for the most part. Except that I still lived pretty comfortably in the mainstream world. This class has helped me to become disturbed again, which I count as a good thing. Without being a little uncomfortable, it's easy to fall into what's convenient because, you know, I'm just a graduate student with limited income, and big box stores and cheap food are pretty enticing. Until I am reminded to really think about it again and it becomes disgusting.
The overarching theme I'm taking away from this class is that of connections. That my actions and our societal paradigms, whether about food or transportation or economic growth, are interconnected and have social, economic, and environmental consequences. Additional connection--to methodologies, among students, between fields, across time, and to my own thoughts and passions--I elaborate on these below.
My other main takeaway is we need a better set of words to talk about this stuff. Vibrant, resilient, green, and of course, sustainable--all overused big time.
Ok, back to the more serious stuff. Main takeaways:
- Connections to methodologies: The community-based social marketing information we were exposed to was really valuable. And I can't wait to dive into this database of behavior literature!
- Connections among students: This course provided an excellent platform for flexible, creative expression. Reading what classmates had to share on their blogs and participating in class discussions enriched the course experience. I especially appreciated the diversity the business students brought to the classroom, and I'm excited about using the collective wisdom of the class to try my own vermiculture project, bee keeping, and winter gardening in the future!
- Connections between fields: Rubin's Seminar on Urban Economic Development dovetailed perfectly with this course. Both address methods to achieve vibrant, resilient communities (those words again!!), but come from very different places. In some ways it is as if this course provides the motivation and Rubin's course supplies the mechanics. Regardless, I've come to believe that both approaches are integral to bringing about the kind of world we want to see. I think the video below integrates them quite nicely.
- Connections across time: I really enjoyed the readings from the Sustainable Urban Development Reader. Since sustainability is such a new academic field, it sometimes feels as if it isn't anchored by much theory or knowledge. These readings changed my stance on that, and exposed me to some fabulous thinkers and writers of whom I look forward to reading more.
- Connections to my own thoughts and passions: I love eating. The personal project required me to carve out time and energy to really think about what I was eating and why, as well as explore the effects of my eating choices on my community and the environment. Having this space for independent study and exploration allowed me to change my eating habits in ways that will last long after this semester is over. Much more on this in a blog post coming very soon...I'll just say here that this is the area where I experienced the most personal growth and expanded my sustainable lifestyle the most this semester.
I guess I'll close with the two goals I have for myself going forward:
1) To stay 'uncomfortable', and to tailor my lifestyle accordingly, and
2) To stay connected with sustainability literature--make time to read interesting books and websites because they are important, even if they aren't required for a class.
Wish me luck!
Calley,
ReplyDeleteStaying "uncomfortable" with the status quo and connected with sustainability literature are great goals. Keep me posted on what you find and if you are looking for more.
Bill