I hope you will check this blog periodically to read and comment on posts. Students in the course this term (Spring 2011) will be sharing their ideas about communication, sustainability, and sustainable development on this blog site.
I will provide links to interesting websites regarding communication, sustainability, and and sustainable development. I encourage you to do so as well.
For a sustainable future,
Gregg Walker, Professor/Instructor of COMM 412-512, Oregon State University
25 comments:
Last Monday we shared a number of ideas about sustainability and sustainable development. Our ideas were very interesting and diverse. We will views these concepts broadly but as we do so we can consider what are core characteristics and values of sustainability and sustainable development.
Sustainability is the very way past generations have lived, but I wonder in this day and age how much sustainability and going "green" is just a maketing ploy. Take the word organic, it means carbon based, but modern society has a different idea about its meaning and it is now used to sell many products that have nothing to do with it or what society beleives it does. Capatilistic beleifs contradict sustainability and sustainably development.
Good point schooler, but this also makes me wonder if the idea of "going green" as a marketing ploy, is really not such a bad thing. As long as there are laws and rules in place to protect what is actually considered "green" or "organic" or "sustainable", I think that by changing the ways companies do business and sell products that are environmentally friendly is a good thing as it will also possibly help stimulate the economy. This is assuming though that these products are actually being produced by "green" standards.
I say the more green the better! We are such a consumerism based society, that a lot of people get their information from advertising. So even though there is misrepresented marketing, at least it is getting the word out. People who take an interest can research what the "real deal" is with organic, green, ect. Now I personally am quite savvy to the marketing, I check out every single label, I even email companies for information.
Comfort..we talked about comfort in class. It was discussed about being comfortable at home concerning heating the house. There are several ways to be comfortable. Physically, emotionally,conciously and any other way you can think of. If I feel I am being wasteful I am Uncomfortable. If the heat is blasting and it is winter outside, I feel its natural to wear a sweater in the house. I feel it goes with being a Human being. Before electric heat one would have to wear a sweater, it would be a survial neccesity. We lived in a rustic cabin for sixteen years, the heat source was wood. So it made physical sense to wear warm clothes. I think it is part of the natural rhythms of being a human being and honoring the seasons. Being comfortable at home is a fantastic important function. I find it interesting how we all have different ideas about comfort.I met with the President of CEC a few years back. He told me that if I reduce my use of electricty then I am saving money, but not reducing the amount of energy being made or saved. Just some thoughts.
Recognizing that there is both a difference and a connection between sustainability in general and self-sustainability,it seems to me that, historically, the poor have been most involved in self-sustainability. They needed to be self-sustaining in order to survive and to provide for themselves and their families. Now, however, it is people with better financial means who are able to make the necessary investments to make their lifestyles more self-sustaining. Now, it is nearly impossible for most of the poor in our culture to make any steps toward self-sustainability. There is no land for garden crops or facilities to keep chickens or other livestock where most of the poor live in the US. In considering sustainability issues, should we also consider how resources such as vacant lots and abandoned properties are used? Could they be used in programs to help the urban poor achieve some measure of self-sustainability? Hmmm...
There was nothing but great ideas brought to the table on Monday. I was really happy to see where we were headed as a class in choosing the focus of our "NGO". Education is a part of any experience under the topics discussed. This really goes back to the idea of give someone fish or teach them to fish. I would like to make it that what we put together becomes a cycle for generations like the cycle of poverty or cycle of violence. I also beleive that when we pick a place that that will also need to consider the cultural value and response in what we will offer. As far as the comments from last weeks blog very correct and thought provoking, love the different perspectives. until next class have a good one.
Amy:
I liked your idea about "honoring the seasons", becoming a part of our environment and moving with it. I think it is much more difficult to feel comfortable (physical, emotionally, psychologically) when we see ourselves as separate from our environment.
I have been thinking about the concept of "quality over quantity" lately.
For example, French culture has a cuisine that is full of rich food, yet obesity is a common problem in France. The French generally take time and set the intention to enjoy their food, which naturally causes them to eat less of it.
How can this concept of "quality over quantity" relate to sustainable development, especially in relation to our class' chosen topic?
Our project is directed towards supplying water for poor rural communities in Central America. As far as quality vs. quantity is concerned, I think that both are equally important. Quantity is probabally not as big of an issue in these areas as quality. Especially if we are conscerned with supplying water for drinking, cooking, sanitation, and medical uses.
Hey Morgan..good point..I always wondered how it is that people come to feel separate from the environment(Earth, other people, animals, unseen forces). When in nature, it takes a few minutes to unwind, and then it is the most relaxing Comfortable place to be. It seems that a lot of energy is spent trying to feel comfortable, to do more, make more, in a world that is created by working against the synergy of oneness. The events that have occured in Japan, are a clear sign that we are all in this together. For example a nuclear plant built in geologicaly active areas, affects the whole world. When families and schools spend some time educating each other about the sacredness and importance of keeping our world clean and safe then I think people will integrate the realizations of being connected to the environment. Basically its smart to do so to ensure survial. For my service learning I will be working with Wolftree, an organization that offers ecological education too school aged children, providing an atmosphere of hands on self-discovery of nature. I am so excited! Children and nature a fantastic combo.
I'm really glad our project is moving along and starting to take shape...
morgan: Did you mean that obesity is UNcommon in France?
I think this is because they still have a connection to what they eat... They buy fresh produce at the corner market everyday, there is no Safeway in France, and they are exposed to a lot less chemicals and preservatives in their foods.
If anyone is interested, Volunteer Connect is having an 'open house' type night on April 20th at the Bend Community Center from 4:30 to 6:30pm!
Marketing ploy or not, as long as we maintain a level of sincerity in what we are doing, legitimacy will follow.
so is sustainability programs really a thing of trying to help the world or is just a new smart strategy for companies to get consumers to spend more and/or to donate their old products for resale in other countries. I feel that sustainability is like communism, in its true form is a great idea, but then people come along and corrupt the spirit of the movement. So how does one truely know real sustainability practices through the fog of corruption and capitalism.
Schooler I pick up some skepticism about sustainable practices or programs with corporations. A good book to read concerning food and sustainable practice is the "Omnivore's Dilemma". Many aspects of food production is explored in depth. Anyway as I have mentioned it is extrememly important to me to purchase "organic food" for my family. I rarely buy anything that is not organic. In the book it explores big organic farms and food producers. Well many questionable practices come into the forefront with these big farms. But still in the end I feel whatever I do that uses my dollar to "vote" for organic farming, then that is less toxic chemicals put in the Earth. I am not contributing to posioning a Farmer, his land, or my Family's bodies. Even if a company is promoting itself as natural, organic, green, sustainable..so what. We live in a society that practices capitalism at the highest extreme. So if you are going to buy something why not buy an item from a company that donates to a good cause, or does do sustainable things. A good example is buying a pair of Tom's shoes, when a pair is purchased than another pair is given to a child in need...Thoughts Amy
Buying Local is sustainable and I am going to improve my practices in this area..me going green-er
Sustainable development in the broadest sense, is collection of ideas and strategies coined by educated peeps to say how can we as a race grow and manage our populations without destroying the earth. The slogan/ trend "going green" to me, is a participatory communication tool that, yes, can be corrupted and used to benefit the sly. On the positive side, as mentioned earlier, this slogan serves as an awareness tool, which can serve as a catalyst for change. Change that needs to start. The Earth is only so big.
Chris I like your mentioning of the earth is only so big... It is so true, I feel we all need to realize that especially as Americans, we live completely outside of our and our environments means! We need to take a step back and try to be better stewards of this earth we live on. By just changing a few small routines through out our day, it can add up to a huge impact over time. I think as Americans we all could use a wake-up call in how gluttonous and selfish we can be at times.
Hey Leah..I think about Americans and the way we live all the time. One thing I think about is how unrealtistic it is to try and satisfy every whim we have. For example if we want lets say hamburgers for dinner, instead of what is at home. We will most likely go shopping or go out to eat. We are used to being able to have almost anything we want anytime. I enjoy this as well but think about people who have the same meager diet every day. Ugggh. Here is another idea on this subject. I have often struggled with wondering how to put into perspective that I live here with everything I need and want, and some other person elsewhere in the world has nothing. Good Point Leah about making some easy changes to make a big difference, maybe list some of those for us.
Having been pretty broke (ok-really broke) most of my life, it has been a natural part of my life to use at least some sustainable practices. My grandparents lived through the Great Depression and my parents were born during it. That and experiencing WWII made them very frugal and self reliant people. I think that has been passed down. My daughter here in Tumalo has a vegetable and flower garden, grows herbs, makes compost, and has free-range chickens who produce eggs for the family. That is an example of how you can start sustainable home projects with little property. She does this in a 25'x70' yard and still has a patio and grass for the kids to play on. Being able to provide at least some of your family's needs with the resources at hand is a core value of sustainability, I propose.
talking about leadership, an organization is only as good as its leader. A good leader incorporates all leadership styles and uses the right one at the right time. A quality leader recognizes all members of an organizations strengths and weaknesses
Some super easy ways to live a little more sustainably:
-buy local produce and goods when available
-buy organic if you can (it can be expensive)
-install water saving shower heads
-put a brick or large rock in your toilet tank (this one is free! and will save you a little money!)
-plant a garden every year
-recycle!
-buy clothing and furniture at consignment shops
-search craigslist for used items first
-donate things you don't need to goodwill or have a garage sale!
-carpool with friends to events, school, or work
-turn off lights!
-turn down heat at night
-eat vegetarian for a day
These are just a few easy things to help reduce your carbon footprint on the world!
Great comments leah. And now that the weathers getting better, it's going to be super easy to walk or bike everywhere!
Post a Comment