If I knew now that “green” is only the color
that you wear on St. Patrick’s Day, I would have felt self-conscious less
often.
“Going green.”
“Being sustainable.”
Nope. Sustainability is social, economic, and environmental health. Pursuing
sustainability is an all-inclusive opportunity.
Sustainability starts with you, your opportunity to shape
and your health to build. Pursue
it, bit by bit, mistake by mistake, habit by habit, and learn.
I have a car. Driving
to work takes 5 minutes. Biking
took 8. I biked. Then I learned that one of my favorite
professors walks to work everyday.
Now, I walk to work. 25
minutes. I listen to the radio and
learn. Biking was my “gateway” transportation. I don’t even bike for recreation.
Making food from scratch is good. Sitting is bad.
Extended sitting takes years off your life. Good: I walk to
work, and I take time to stand and cook my meals!
I’m more capable as a cook now. I eat less meat because of it. When I do, I vote with my dollar and buy from cooperatives
when possible, businesses that exemplify sustainability.
I talk about sustainability, its complexities, simplicities,
and parodies. I talk to students
about it because I know that any student, no matter what they study, can be
passionate about sustainability in their careers. That’s good, because what makes for a happy
professional? Being passionate. Here’s your chance.
When I walk to work, I say “Hello” to people. I smile. I gain social skills and friends. We are creatures that mimic what we see, and when we see aesthetics,
attitudes, and actions around us that say, “Sustainability is important,” our
behaviors change. We all change,
bit by bit, and the pursuit gains speed!
Join the pursuit:
Try something new, and be well!
Eric Holthaus
Energy and Waste Steward
Luther College
U of Iowa '09 BA Geography
U of Illinois '11 MA Urban Planning
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