Journal Entry #12

What is sustainability? 

Sustainability is based on a simple principle: Everything that we need for our survival and well-being depends, either directly or indirectly, on our natural environment.  Sustainability creates and maintains the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, that permit fulfilling the social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations. Sustainability is important to making sure that we have and will continue to have,  the water, materials, and resources to protect human health and our environment.

Now do I feel that I live a life that is sustainable to the earth?  No- not really.  As humans, many of us fall into the category of gluttony. Gluttony refers to excessive eating and drinking.  But how can we refuse to be gluttonous....when we see things like this....

 I think that gluttony can also refer to how we use and abuse our resources.  There are so many other ways to do things in our world without completely depleting our resources. 

Fast food companies prey on consumers with gimmicks just like this one- or a famous buy one get the next free.  Right now McDonald's has a campaign that you can get any size drink, Small-Medium-Large for the same price! This allows so much unnecessary waste- naturally consumers will get the largest size for the same prize as the smallest thinking they are getting a deal- but typically the large drink will be wasted.  

 How often have you left the water running while brushing your teeth or washing your hands?  I used to do this every time I was at the sink- this is so wasteful and it's something so small and easy to remedy that more people should change it. 

Conserving rainwater is another simple and easy way to reduce unnecessary waste.  By setting up barrels near drain spots either gutters or roof points, you can collect natural rainwater that can later be used to plant watering/yard watering.