Sustainable Living Journal Entries
Off The Grid
I watched the documentary Off The Grid a couple of weeks ago. I originally thought I would write my book reflection on this documentary but decided to write about another documentary. Although, I figured I should at least write a journal entry about this as well.
Off The Grid follows the life of Les Stroub and his family when they decide to go off the grid, and build a life, and a home away from modern society. Les buys a piece of land in Canada far away from the rest of the world. The land is run down, and there is no structure that can support life on the property. They decided to build a cabin, in the most sustainable way they possibly can.
They began to build the cabin, as well as attempt to build a well. They plan on creating their own water source as well, so that they can be as self-sufficient as possible. The documentary although following their process, did not seem to show all of the dirty work that went into it.
Although they showed some of the challenges, it seemed as though a lot of things were missing. They seemed to make switching to the sustainable life an easy task, and that is not the case. It also requires a lot of money, and an average Joe can't just afford to buy a piece of land and build a cabin no questions asked.
There were a few things I enjoyed about the documentary, the family had two children, and the parents included the children in everything. They helped when tearing down, and cleaning up. They helped in the process of building the cabin, and were explained to why making the switch was such an important thing. I found that to be very crucial,, including the children in the whole process. Although the documentary seemed to be a bit "scripted" I still enjoyed the finished protect of the cabin, and the idea behind it all
-Ariel
Off The Grid follows the life of Les Stroub and his family when they decide to go off the grid, and build a life, and a home away from modern society. Les buys a piece of land in Canada far away from the rest of the world. The land is run down, and there is no structure that can support life on the property. They decided to build a cabin, in the most sustainable way they possibly can.
They began to build the cabin, as well as attempt to build a well. They plan on creating their own water source as well, so that they can be as self-sufficient as possible. The documentary although following their process, did not seem to show all of the dirty work that went into it.
Although they showed some of the challenges, it seemed as though a lot of things were missing. They seemed to make switching to the sustainable life an easy task, and that is not the case. It also requires a lot of money, and an average Joe can't just afford to buy a piece of land and build a cabin no questions asked.
There were a few things I enjoyed about the documentary, the family had two children, and the parents included the children in everything. They helped when tearing down, and cleaning up. They helped in the process of building the cabin, and were explained to why making the switch was such an important thing. I found that to be very crucial,, including the children in the whole process. Although the documentary seemed to be a bit "scripted" I still enjoyed the finished protect of the cabin, and the idea behind it all
-Ariel
Urban Sustainable Living
Urban Sustainable Living is something I've been thinking about for a while.. We live in a world where not everyone is going to rush out and live in a rural cabin in the middle of nowhere, some of us will live in cities. A majority of us even. And I've been wondering how it could be possible to live sustainably in cities, not just in rural environments. A few days ago I stumbled onto Patti Moreno, she does video blogs about living Sustainably in urban settings. I have watched a few of her videos, and she does a great job in explaining how she lives, as well as in giving easy to follow steps and tips for those of us thinking about living in urban settings but with a sustainable lifestyle.
She lives right in the heart of the city, but grows her own food and houses both chickens and rabbits. Her garden beds are also the home to her animals, and by doing so she saves space, and has manure right where she needs it. She grows tons of veggies and seems to be an inspiration to the urban sustainable living world. With her rabbits she sheers them, and even makes her own wool. Her chickens provide her with fresh eggs, she seems to do everything she possibly can to live sustainably in her environment.
As I move forward into the future, although settling is a long ways away, I am beginning to start to think of how I would like to live my life. Although I would love to live in a rural setting, living off the land, that might not be possible. So thinking about ways to live sustainable in a urban setting is very important to me. Although it'll be a while before my lifestyle is established, I believe forming how I think, and what I believe now will be so important when it is time for me to start my own life whether urban or rule. I'm thankful for pioneers like Patty who are able to aide in showing a way to combine the urban life with the sustainable life.
-Ariel
She lives right in the heart of the city, but grows her own food and houses both chickens and rabbits. Her garden beds are also the home to her animals, and by doing so she saves space, and has manure right where she needs it. She grows tons of veggies and seems to be an inspiration to the urban sustainable living world. With her rabbits she sheers them, and even makes her own wool. Her chickens provide her with fresh eggs, she seems to do everything she possibly can to live sustainably in her environment.
As I move forward into the future, although settling is a long ways away, I am beginning to start to think of how I would like to live my life. Although I would love to live in a rural setting, living off the land, that might not be possible. So thinking about ways to live sustainable in a urban setting is very important to me. Although it'll be a while before my lifestyle is established, I believe forming how I think, and what I believe now will be so important when it is time for me to start my own life whether urban or rule. I'm thankful for pioneers like Patty who are able to aide in showing a way to combine the urban life with the sustainable life.
-Ariel
Are you Future Friendly?
http://eon.businesswire.com/news/eon/20120402005849/en/%3A-sustainability/P%26G/save-water
I found this article very interesting and encouraging. Although based in the UK Future Friendly, awarded sustainable living heroes bursary money to support their projects towards sustainable living in universities big and small across the nation. I found this encouraging in think that there are many people out there trying to do a difference, and that there is an organization helping to support the efforts being made.
"Future Friendly is a consumer education programme by P&G, supported by leading sustainability experts the Energy Saving Trust, Waste Watch and Waterwise. It seeks to inspire and enable people around the country to contribute to a better tomorrow. P&G is committed to sustainability and using its trusted Future Friendly brands - Ariel, Lenor, Fairy, Flash and Pampers - can help us to save energy, save water or reduce waste by up to 50%"
Future Friendly aims to promote sustainable living for individuals, families, universities, and business alike. Aiming towards the goal to make the future a liveable and sustainable place.
Reading the article was just a bit like a breathe of fresh air, it was nice to see an organization and individuals striving to make a difference for our world and our future.
The campaign awarded money to community projects, university projects, and both "little and big heroes" individuals under 18 and over 18 who had individual projects aimed to making a difference for the world we live in.
Lately I have been feeling very down about our world, and have felt like not many have been trying to make a change, and reading this article was encouraging for me.
-Ariel
I found this article very interesting and encouraging. Although based in the UK Future Friendly, awarded sustainable living heroes bursary money to support their projects towards sustainable living in universities big and small across the nation. I found this encouraging in think that there are many people out there trying to do a difference, and that there is an organization helping to support the efforts being made.
"Future Friendly is a consumer education programme by P&G, supported by leading sustainability experts the Energy Saving Trust, Waste Watch and Waterwise. It seeks to inspire and enable people around the country to contribute to a better tomorrow. P&G is committed to sustainability and using its trusted Future Friendly brands - Ariel, Lenor, Fairy, Flash and Pampers - can help us to save energy, save water or reduce waste by up to 50%"
Future Friendly aims to promote sustainable living for individuals, families, universities, and business alike. Aiming towards the goal to make the future a liveable and sustainable place.
Reading the article was just a bit like a breathe of fresh air, it was nice to see an organization and individuals striving to make a difference for our world and our future.
The campaign awarded money to community projects, university projects, and both "little and big heroes" individuals under 18 and over 18 who had individual projects aimed to making a difference for the world we live in.
Lately I have been feeling very down about our world, and have felt like not many have been trying to make a change, and reading this article was encouraging for me.
-Ariel
Life In a Day
Tonight I really wanted to watch a documentary, and I justified it by finding one that fit into International Studies, that way I could least get a journal entry out of it. Life in A Day, a film that is self-filmed not by one person, but from people all around the word in one single day. We travel around the globe seeing what a normal day is for hundreds of people, on the same day. I was shocked at how insightful this hour and a half film could be.
Besides just showing the wonder of life through birth, pain, suffering, love, longing, talent.. The documentary asked a few universal questions that ended with a wide variety of response.
What do you love the most in the world? : One man answered my cat, another my family, one man loved women, one girl a word from an extinct language, honestly every answer that you could possibly think of. I found it so interesting hearing the responses from people world-wide. I related with some, and found no relation with others, but one thing was clear. We all love something, or someone, love is a feeling that can be found literally everywhere in the world.
What do you fear most in the world? : cultures I don't know said one woman, dying one man, being alone, never finding love, not living to the fullest, not making it back alive "everyday is fear if you're an Afghan", once again we see an emotional response to a feeling we all feel, fear. Simple as that, although our fears might be completely different, we all fear something.
What is in your pocket or purse?: a few pesos, my iPhone, my Marc Jacobs wallet/keychain/make-up bag/mirror, my super hero, absolutely nothing, a Canadian flag, Irish flag, Wisconsin flag (my ancestors came from there), a twig from my favourite tree. I can't help to wonder if what we carry with us at all times might define us, I looked at the poorest people, and what possessions they kept close at hand and then the richer and such a difference. I am really starting to believe that sometimes the simpler life you lead might bring the potential for more happiness.
I had so many mixed emotions while watching this film. There were points where I felt incredibly happy, at other points I was crying, there were points that made me angry at how unfair life can be, and points that made me wonder why I wasn't living a fuller life. After watching it I have begun to ponder so many things.
I have a heart for the world, and the people in it. Seeing this film makes me want to get out and be with those people, I want to make the difference I long to make, but I know in all reality that has to start here. Within my own life., I want to start living simpler and I want to reach a point where I have more of an understanding for those people.
I loved hearing all of the different languages, and seeing all of the different cultures so different from my own. It is an amazing thing to be able to see a culture from the perspective of the person living it. I would recommend this documentary to anyone, if watched it will not be regretted. It might just make you want to re-evaluate your own life.
-Ariel
Besides just showing the wonder of life through birth, pain, suffering, love, longing, talent.. The documentary asked a few universal questions that ended with a wide variety of response.
What do you love the most in the world? : One man answered my cat, another my family, one man loved women, one girl a word from an extinct language, honestly every answer that you could possibly think of. I found it so interesting hearing the responses from people world-wide. I related with some, and found no relation with others, but one thing was clear. We all love something, or someone, love is a feeling that can be found literally everywhere in the world.
What do you fear most in the world? : cultures I don't know said one woman, dying one man, being alone, never finding love, not living to the fullest, not making it back alive "everyday is fear if you're an Afghan", once again we see an emotional response to a feeling we all feel, fear. Simple as that, although our fears might be completely different, we all fear something.
What is in your pocket or purse?: a few pesos, my iPhone, my Marc Jacobs wallet/keychain/make-up bag/mirror, my super hero, absolutely nothing, a Canadian flag, Irish flag, Wisconsin flag (my ancestors came from there), a twig from my favourite tree. I can't help to wonder if what we carry with us at all times might define us, I looked at the poorest people, and what possessions they kept close at hand and then the richer and such a difference. I am really starting to believe that sometimes the simpler life you lead might bring the potential for more happiness.
I had so many mixed emotions while watching this film. There were points where I felt incredibly happy, at other points I was crying, there were points that made me angry at how unfair life can be, and points that made me wonder why I wasn't living a fuller life. After watching it I have begun to ponder so many things.
I have a heart for the world, and the people in it. Seeing this film makes me want to get out and be with those people, I want to make the difference I long to make, but I know in all reality that has to start here. Within my own life., I want to start living simpler and I want to reach a point where I have more of an understanding for those people.
I loved hearing all of the different languages, and seeing all of the different cultures so different from my own. It is an amazing thing to be able to see a culture from the perspective of the person living it. I would recommend this documentary to anyone, if watched it will not be regretted. It might just make you want to re-evaluate your own life.
-Ariel
College of the Ozarks
http://www.cofo.edu/Page/Students/Work-Education.96.html
The link I posted will take you to the work department of the College of the Ozarks. They are a university that has over 80 different work areas for their students. Each full time student works 15 hours a week in one of the different work programs. Through this (along with scholarships and grants the school helps them attain) the students graduate debt-free. In our sustainable living class debt-free education has been one of the main focuses. I myself was accepted to the College of the Ozarks, and I almost went there instead of SSU.
Now that I am in a class that is attempting to accomplish what College of the Ozarks is already doing, I thought that maybe some ideas could be gained from the programs the College already has in place.
Students at College of the Ozarks work in many interesting and challenging areas, as listed below:
Although our university is much smaller, and does not have many of these programs or facilities. The basic idea used in the College of the Ozarks can be used for SSU, creating programs for students to work at whether within the school or community that would generate profit, and work experience for the student.
Even if these ideas are not able to be implemented it is still a good idea in my opinion to look at other schools who have accomplished the debt-free education we are striving for.
-Ariel
The link I posted will take you to the work department of the College of the Ozarks. They are a university that has over 80 different work areas for their students. Each full time student works 15 hours a week in one of the different work programs. Through this (along with scholarships and grants the school helps them attain) the students graduate debt-free. In our sustainable living class debt-free education has been one of the main focuses. I myself was accepted to the College of the Ozarks, and I almost went there instead of SSU.
Now that I am in a class that is attempting to accomplish what College of the Ozarks is already doing, I thought that maybe some ideas could be gained from the programs the College already has in place.
Students at College of the Ozarks work in many interesting and challenging areas, as listed below:
- Admissions
- Agriculture, including these areas:
Beef Cattle,
Dairy,
Feed Mill,
Swine,
Horticultural,
Office Assistant,
Processing Plant - Alumni Office
- Art and Pottery Department
- Art Gallery
- Biology Department
- Bonner Community Service Program
- Bookstore
- Business Department (academic)
- Business Office
- Campus Ministries
- Career Center
- Center for Writing and Thinking
- Character Education
- Chemistry Department
- Child Development Center
- College Press & Print Shop, including these areas:
Imaging,
Office Assistant,
Press Room,
Design,
Finishing - College Center Cafeteria
- Computer Center
- Computer Science
- Construction, including these areas:
Paint Shop,
Carpenter Shop,
Electric Shop,
Heating and Air,
Heavy Equipment Operator,
Machine Shop,
New Construction,
Office Assistant,
Plumbing,
Water Treatment Plant - Council for Student Programs
- Criminal Justice
- Custodial North
- Custodial South
- Dean of Administration Office
- Dean of the College Office
- Dean of Student's Office
- Dean of Work Education Office
- Development Office
- Dormitories, including these areas:
Desk Clerk,
Maintenance,
Resident Assistant - Education Department
- Electronics
- Environmental, Health and Safety
- Faculty Services Office
- Family and Consumer Science
- Financial Aid Office
- Fire Department
- Foreign Language
- Fruitcake and Jelly Kitchen
- Gate House Security
- Health Clinic
- Hotel and Restaurant Management
- Keeter Center (lodge & restaurant), including these areas:
Banquet Server,
Dining Room Staff,
Guest Services,
Culinary Staff,
Maintenance - Landscaping
- Laundry
- Leadership Development Track
- Library, including these areas:
Audio-Visual Assistant,
Circulation Assistant,
Director Assistant,
Reference Assistant,
Student Supervisor,
Technical Services Assistant - Mail Operations
- Mass Communications, including these areas:
Office Manager,
Photography Lab Assistant,
Production Assistant - Math/Physics
- Military Science
- Mill and Weaving
- Museum
- Music, including these areas:
Office Assistant,
Student Accompanist - Nursing Program, including these areas:
Nursing Office Student Worker
McDonald Nursing Learning Lab Student Worker - Outlook (student newspaper)
- Phoenix (yearbook)
- Physical Education, including these areas:
Intramurals
Lifeguard/Pool
Sports Information Office/Faculty Offices
Student Athletic Trainer - Power Plant
- President’s Office
- Psychology
- Public Relations
- Purchasing
- Purchasing/Recycling
- Radio Station
- Registrar’s Office
- Security
- Sociology
- Speech Communication
- Stained Glass & Candles
- Student Senate
- Switchboard
- Technology
- Telephone Services Office
- Theater
- Transportation
- Warehouse
Although our university is much smaller, and does not have many of these programs or facilities. The basic idea used in the College of the Ozarks can be used for SSU, creating programs for students to work at whether within the school or community that would generate profit, and work experience for the student.
Even if these ideas are not able to be implemented it is still a good idea in my opinion to look at other schools who have accomplished the debt-free education we are striving for.
-Ariel
Secret Eco-Village
http://mysterytopia.com/2008/09/secret-eco-village-spotted-in-wales.html
A secret eco-village in Wales. A small community were living there lives trying to stay away from the chaos of the "rat race" as they would call it. They had been living in a self-sustaining village for 5 years before a surveying plane spotted them and threatened their lively hood.
It took 10 years of court battles to finally win the right to continue to live and exist on their self-sustaining land.
I stumbled on to this article randomly while researching eco-villages. When I saw the picture and click I was surprised at what I found. "Secret eco-village" in Wales. It was crazy to me to think about how big of deal, and how much of a battle sustainable living can be. It's hard enough to live sustainable, but when you are fighting the government to do so it takes things to the next level.
Reading this article gave me a bite of reality, as badly as I would love to just go and set up an eco village in the middle of nowhere, it takes a lot more than that. There are permits, and approval from the government and so on and so on. It is so frustrating to think that we our destroying our world, and the few people who actually but the effort in to make a change and try to do better can be penalized for it.
Through the 10 years of court battles parts of the community fell apart, the original starters of the community divorced, and the community itself was split into three neighbouring communities. It's sad to see such a toll taken through it all.
I know I am a dreamer, and a lot of times I look past the important details, but this article really was shocking to me. The pilot just out right saying they should destroy the homes of an entire community? and for what. Although I understand the point of taxes, and that aspect, communities should be allowed to exist separate from government in my opinion relying on each other, and not government to support them.
I would recommend this article, it's a quick read and very eye-opening.
-Ariel
A secret eco-village in Wales. A small community were living there lives trying to stay away from the chaos of the "rat race" as they would call it. They had been living in a self-sustaining village for 5 years before a surveying plane spotted them and threatened their lively hood.
It took 10 years of court battles to finally win the right to continue to live and exist on their self-sustaining land.
I stumbled on to this article randomly while researching eco-villages. When I saw the picture and click I was surprised at what I found. "Secret eco-village" in Wales. It was crazy to me to think about how big of deal, and how much of a battle sustainable living can be. It's hard enough to live sustainable, but when you are fighting the government to do so it takes things to the next level.
Reading this article gave me a bite of reality, as badly as I would love to just go and set up an eco village in the middle of nowhere, it takes a lot more than that. There are permits, and approval from the government and so on and so on. It is so frustrating to think that we our destroying our world, and the few people who actually but the effort in to make a change and try to do better can be penalized for it.
Through the 10 years of court battles parts of the community fell apart, the original starters of the community divorced, and the community itself was split into three neighbouring communities. It's sad to see such a toll taken through it all.
I know I am a dreamer, and a lot of times I look past the important details, but this article really was shocking to me. The pilot just out right saying they should destroy the homes of an entire community? and for what. Although I understand the point of taxes, and that aspect, communities should be allowed to exist separate from government in my opinion relying on each other, and not government to support them.
I would recommend this article, it's a quick read and very eye-opening.
-Ariel
The Consumerism Cycle
Lately I have been spending so much time thinking about the cycle of consumerism. We earn money, so we can buy more stuff, we come home exhausted turn on the t.v. where we are shown hundreds of commercials telling us to get out and buy more stuff, so we go out work more, buy the stuff we don't need, come home watch t.v., do it all over again.
This cycle is so wrong in so many ways. It's not just the spending, it's the fact that by buying these things we are using up precious items that are world needs to exist, and we are buying things we don't need when there are so many people in the world that are dying without even clean drinking water.
Government doesn't want us to realize this, nor to corporations, because our entire economy is build on this viscous cycle of consumerism. If we were to stop buying, what would they do? What would they do when all that they've ever done is to manipulate us into buying more and more and more.
I feel so guilty for giving into this cycle for such a long time, but it was all I have ever been introduced to. My parents are part of the cycle as well, it's endless and it makes me sick. Bottom line it needs to stop. But that's just it, how do we stop it? Well for one thing, stop buying. Stop buying the things we think we need, but in reality just distract us from what would really make us happy.
What would happen if we stopped watching t.v. in the first place? Well we might actually get up and do something, if we stop feeding into the world telling us we need more and more, we would work less. We wouldn't need the amount of money we think we do, because it would take much less to survive than to buy useless crap. And if we worked less we would be happier, because we would be less tired and we'd actually have the energy to do something. Maybe make a difference in the world instead of just adding to it's destruction. At this point I know I'm rambling, but it's been on my mind a lot lately.
What will it take for us to snap out of it, to make the lifestyle changes that so desperately need to be made. Not only for ourselves but for our planet, and all of the people and wildlife inhabiting it.
There is a wonderful Youtube clip about the cycle of stuff that I'll post below.
-Ariel
This cycle is so wrong in so many ways. It's not just the spending, it's the fact that by buying these things we are using up precious items that are world needs to exist, and we are buying things we don't need when there are so many people in the world that are dying without even clean drinking water.
Government doesn't want us to realize this, nor to corporations, because our entire economy is build on this viscous cycle of consumerism. If we were to stop buying, what would they do? What would they do when all that they've ever done is to manipulate us into buying more and more and more.
I feel so guilty for giving into this cycle for such a long time, but it was all I have ever been introduced to. My parents are part of the cycle as well, it's endless and it makes me sick. Bottom line it needs to stop. But that's just it, how do we stop it? Well for one thing, stop buying. Stop buying the things we think we need, but in reality just distract us from what would really make us happy.
What would happen if we stopped watching t.v. in the first place? Well we might actually get up and do something, if we stop feeding into the world telling us we need more and more, we would work less. We wouldn't need the amount of money we think we do, because it would take much less to survive than to buy useless crap. And if we worked less we would be happier, because we would be less tired and we'd actually have the energy to do something. Maybe make a difference in the world instead of just adding to it's destruction. At this point I know I'm rambling, but it's been on my mind a lot lately.
What will it take for us to snap out of it, to make the lifestyle changes that so desperately need to be made. Not only for ourselves but for our planet, and all of the people and wildlife inhabiting it.
There is a wonderful Youtube clip about the cycle of stuff that I'll post below.
-Ariel
Women's Health Center
For our project for International Studies Crys and I have decided to try and start a women's health center on campus. Women's health is a global issue, and we feel that starting a center for students in our own school is just as important. It would be more of a reference center than anything. Holding pamphlets and resources for girls on our campus. This is something I've always felt passionate about, I myself being a young student, I know how scary some things can be when you don't have a support system and we would like to set up a confidential support system just for this reason. Cry's vision for it is "your big sisters bedroom". We have talked to a few staff members who our supporting us with the project as well.
We believe education is the most important factor. There are so many myths when it comes to sexual health, as well as mental health. We want to provide correct information for our peers. Meeting with public health and and the amazing sexual health nurse for the hospital and high school has been a big help. We have been working on gathering materials as well as information to write up our proposal.
Women's health is not only a huge topic worldwide, but it matters personally as well. Supporting each other in the foundation years as we grow into women could not be more important. In such a small community sometimes it can be very embarrassing to seek support for something such as a pap smear or STD testing, and we want to provide support.
Although it has been a very bumpy ride attempting to pull it together, and with some clashes from some people, we are continuing forward. Crys and I both have three years at the university to come, and we feel this is a great way for us to give back to our community for the duration of our stay. We hope to find girls who will continue it once we graduate, always updating with correct and current information.
When we first thought of the idea we weren't sure exactly how we could link the project to sustainable living, since that was the class we are doing the project for, but then our friend Nancy showed us a hilarious video that connects the two. I'll post the video below.
-Ariel
We believe education is the most important factor. There are so many myths when it comes to sexual health, as well as mental health. We want to provide correct information for our peers. Meeting with public health and and the amazing sexual health nurse for the hospital and high school has been a big help. We have been working on gathering materials as well as information to write up our proposal.
Women's health is not only a huge topic worldwide, but it matters personally as well. Supporting each other in the foundation years as we grow into women could not be more important. In such a small community sometimes it can be very embarrassing to seek support for something such as a pap smear or STD testing, and we want to provide support.
Although it has been a very bumpy ride attempting to pull it together, and with some clashes from some people, we are continuing forward. Crys and I both have three years at the university to come, and we feel this is a great way for us to give back to our community for the duration of our stay. We hope to find girls who will continue it once we graduate, always updating with correct and current information.
When we first thought of the idea we weren't sure exactly how we could link the project to sustainable living, since that was the class we are doing the project for, but then our friend Nancy showed us a hilarious video that connects the two. I'll post the video below.
-Ariel
Top 10 Ways to Live Sustainably
http://www.newcolonist.com/topten3.html
This article lists 10 easy ways to strive towards a more sustainable life. Although I believe taking even more drastic measures are needed, these simple steps are a good way to start. I think the more little things you start to do the easier it will be to do more and more. These steps include: recycling everything possible, unplugging appliances, not buying over packaged goods, shopping at local stores, using ground service to ship items, use public transit if possible if you live to far to walk, sell your car and rent one if you really need it, buy a front loading washer, move to a community where you can bike or walk to all of the most visited places.
Although most of these steps are pretty basic, a few are a little bit more drastic and I think that's a really good thing. We can all be conscious of things such as unplugging our appliance and making sure we use travel mugs and water bottles instead of using extra packaging. It's simple steps, but if everyone were to do them those simple steps have the possibility to add up.
It's so easy to do things without thinking such as forgetting a travel mug at home, and just buying a to go coffee in a plastic or paper cup, but the more conscious we are about our actions and the affect they have on the world the more likely we will be to follow through with them. Holding ourselves accountable is key in my opinion. When we start to research the rest of the world and what they are suffering from, a lot of it from our over consumption it really puts things into perspective. Although it might be a bit of a slap in the face for a wake up call, it is something that is definitely needed. We need to wake up and we need to start holding ourselves accountable for our actions.
-Ariel
This article lists 10 easy ways to strive towards a more sustainable life. Although I believe taking even more drastic measures are needed, these simple steps are a good way to start. I think the more little things you start to do the easier it will be to do more and more. These steps include: recycling everything possible, unplugging appliances, not buying over packaged goods, shopping at local stores, using ground service to ship items, use public transit if possible if you live to far to walk, sell your car and rent one if you really need it, buy a front loading washer, move to a community where you can bike or walk to all of the most visited places.
Although most of these steps are pretty basic, a few are a little bit more drastic and I think that's a really good thing. We can all be conscious of things such as unplugging our appliance and making sure we use travel mugs and water bottles instead of using extra packaging. It's simple steps, but if everyone were to do them those simple steps have the possibility to add up.
It's so easy to do things without thinking such as forgetting a travel mug at home, and just buying a to go coffee in a plastic or paper cup, but the more conscious we are about our actions and the affect they have on the world the more likely we will be to follow through with them. Holding ourselves accountable is key in my opinion. When we start to research the rest of the world and what they are suffering from, a lot of it from our over consumption it really puts things into perspective. Although it might be a bit of a slap in the face for a wake up call, it is something that is definitely needed. We need to wake up and we need to start holding ourselves accountable for our actions.
-Ariel
Green Fire Movie Night
Tonight we as a sustainable living class watched Green Fire, a full length documentary about Aldo Leopold. I found the film to be both interesting at a bit inspiring while watch the film, the main thing on my mind was out it would connect to SSU. By thinking in that way I came up with a few questions and thoughts relating to both Aldo and our wonderful university.
Firstly, I felt as though the film was saying to inspire ourselves to follow into the ethics of community. What exactly is community you may ask? According to Aldo it is, "How we interact with each other as well as how we interact with nature.
We as a school live in community. When I first arrived here I was so sick of the word "community" itself, and really had no clue what it meant. I had never been submerged in a true community prior. But now I am growing to have a sense of what true community is, even though I've only been here a year so far. We co-exist as a loving community, supporting each other and striving to do good. I feel supporting one another is a huge aspect of community. As well as supporting the wildlife and the world around us.
Green Fire was all about the environment and how we should be treating it, the film was inspiring in that sense. Showing the evolution of Leopold's thoughts, and how present day people are using them to live a environment honouring life.
One of the questions after watching the film that I couldn't help but ask myself, was: Should our ethics be different within our community inside the school, and how we act outside of the school with the broader community? Of course there are definitely some major difference but after thinking about it for a while, I do not think we should behave that much differently. We should show just as much love to the people outside of our tiny community as to the ones on the inside, we should also show that love to the wildlife around us. For some reason I had never really made that thought connection beforehand.
Another question I asked myself was, are unspoken ethics different than spoken ones? And I believe some our. There are established laws that we follow, and those are some of the spoken ethics, but we also have social norms and morals that we as individuals choose to follow, and I think those fall into the category of unspoken ethics.
I also began to wonder what are some reasonable steps that we can take in preserving the environment? Although there were a few things shown in the film, there was not much that was clearly suggested as steps, and I think that might be something we should all personally be thinking about. What we want to do to try and make our own difference towards preserving the environment.
Finally, I am left with the thought of the possibility of the "Green Fire" being a metaphor for something much larger than the wolf and the moment itself. Maybe even a metaphor for the entire community that we call the world.
-Ariel
Firstly, I felt as though the film was saying to inspire ourselves to follow into the ethics of community. What exactly is community you may ask? According to Aldo it is, "How we interact with each other as well as how we interact with nature.
We as a school live in community. When I first arrived here I was so sick of the word "community" itself, and really had no clue what it meant. I had never been submerged in a true community prior. But now I am growing to have a sense of what true community is, even though I've only been here a year so far. We co-exist as a loving community, supporting each other and striving to do good. I feel supporting one another is a huge aspect of community. As well as supporting the wildlife and the world around us.
Green Fire was all about the environment and how we should be treating it, the film was inspiring in that sense. Showing the evolution of Leopold's thoughts, and how present day people are using them to live a environment honouring life.
One of the questions after watching the film that I couldn't help but ask myself, was: Should our ethics be different within our community inside the school, and how we act outside of the school with the broader community? Of course there are definitely some major difference but after thinking about it for a while, I do not think we should behave that much differently. We should show just as much love to the people outside of our tiny community as to the ones on the inside, we should also show that love to the wildlife around us. For some reason I had never really made that thought connection beforehand.
Another question I asked myself was, are unspoken ethics different than spoken ones? And I believe some our. There are established laws that we follow, and those are some of the spoken ethics, but we also have social norms and morals that we as individuals choose to follow, and I think those fall into the category of unspoken ethics.
I also began to wonder what are some reasonable steps that we can take in preserving the environment? Although there were a few things shown in the film, there was not much that was clearly suggested as steps, and I think that might be something we should all personally be thinking about. What we want to do to try and make our own difference towards preserving the environment.
Finally, I am left with the thought of the possibility of the "Green Fire" being a metaphor for something much larger than the wolf and the moment itself. Maybe even a metaphor for the entire community that we call the world.
-Ariel
Maria's Straw House
As a class we visited Maria's house. I was amazed at all that I saw, it really is my dream house. I thought I would share some of the pictures for you all. They are striving to live the lifestyle I so badly want to live. From building there own house to having a compostable toilet, building a root cellar, having a cold room. They are constantly trying to live a more sustainable life. I was very thankful for the opportunity to visit their home.. It has been really cool being able to view Maria's home, as well as hearing all of the different guest speakers talk about their efforts towards sustainable living. Hearing them all has really helped me to realize that I need to make a change, and think about what I want for my life in the future.
-Ariel
-Ariel
Sustainable Living International Studies 430
As the school year comes to an end, and my sustainable living class is ending as well, I felt that my final journal entry should be a reflection of the class as a whole.
First off, I am so thankful that I made the decision to take the class. Being a first year, and coming into a fourth year class was pretty frightening for me. Now that it is almost over, I have learned so much from the professor, the guest speakers, and even my classmates, that I would not take a moment of it back.
There were a lot of bumps along the way as there would be with any class, but this was a rather large class with many strong personalities and a lot of group projects. There were times that I really didn't think things would be accomplished, but in the end they were. My knowledge base on sustainable living and global issues has grown so much through this one class that I know it will never stop growing, and am looking forward to all of my IS classes in the future.
I have known a lot about the need for sustainable living for a while, but taking this class made it all seem too real. It broke down walls and stripped down the blinders that many of us in the western world choose to wear. I can no longer just sit by, it seems that little things are not enough it is time for drastic change, and that means lifestyle changes for many of us.
I have been challenged with my thought process, my morals, my ethics, and how I work with others through this class, and because of that it has been one of the most worthwhile experiences.
There is so much to learn, and even more to do. The time to start doing it all was yesterday, but for now all we can do is start today.
-Ariel
First off, I am so thankful that I made the decision to take the class. Being a first year, and coming into a fourth year class was pretty frightening for me. Now that it is almost over, I have learned so much from the professor, the guest speakers, and even my classmates, that I would not take a moment of it back.
There were a lot of bumps along the way as there would be with any class, but this was a rather large class with many strong personalities and a lot of group projects. There were times that I really didn't think things would be accomplished, but in the end they were. My knowledge base on sustainable living and global issues has grown so much through this one class that I know it will never stop growing, and am looking forward to all of my IS classes in the future.
I have known a lot about the need for sustainable living for a while, but taking this class made it all seem too real. It broke down walls and stripped down the blinders that many of us in the western world choose to wear. I can no longer just sit by, it seems that little things are not enough it is time for drastic change, and that means lifestyle changes for many of us.
I have been challenged with my thought process, my morals, my ethics, and how I work with others through this class, and because of that it has been one of the most worthwhile experiences.
There is so much to learn, and even more to do. The time to start doing it all was yesterday, but for now all we can do is start today.
-Ariel