Sustainability 101: Our Philosophy
Simply put, sustainability is not something you can brand onto a package or even hold in your hand. Above all, it is a way of thinking that incorporates entire systems; earth systems, economic systems, and social systems. When explaining the concept of sustainability, many draw upon these three systems to expose the interdependent relationships between environment, economics, and society in a sustainable world.
Thus, sustainability goes far beyond just "being green". Something is sustainable only if it works now, and will continue to work for generations into the future. As the Great Law of the Iroquis Confederacy stated: "In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations." |
But in order to act upon this principal of sustainability, we must fully understand the impacts of our decisions and how they will effect us in the future. Yet this is no easy task, for scientists and experts the world over have argued about these facts for decades, to the point where there is no "cold, hard science" on global climate change, chemical pesticides, or peak oil. But we also know that if we wait to act until we have absolute, indisputable fact, it will probably be too late.
And so we must start with intuition. We must begin with a basic understanding of the natural relationships between people, things, and nature. We must first understand that on a very basic level every action we make has an impact on someone or something, somewhere. As MLK once said,
"Before you finish eating breakfast in the morning,
you've depended on more than half the world"
This is both a magnificent and terrifying thought. Magnificent because is affirms that we are all connected and everything matters, but terrifying because of the conscience it imbibes in us and the responsibility we suddenly feel for our every move.
But these wise words are not intended to create guilt or remorse, apathy or defeat. Rather, they should be seen as a reminder that we do not and cannot act alone, as well as a call to action to challenge the individualistic and ignorant mindset that these days seem inherent to our consumer-based society.
As individuals, it is true that we are limited; the little choices we make each moment throughout the day pale in comparison to those made by our collective society. But we must not forget that ultimately, we are society. As Gandhi stated,
"Whatever you do will be insignificant,
but it is very important that you do it."
When we choose to act, while the impact may be insignificant, the implication for society is enormous. And when we understand the basic principles of interdependence and are able to cultivate an intuitive sense of responsibility, we will find that sustainability is not so hard a thing to grasp.
Our philosophy is quite simple: if there is a way to live that is bearable, equitable, and viable, than we have a responsibility to discover what that looks like and to share it everyone. It is not going to be easy, nor will it happen overnight. But it is incredibly important that we begin this work now, so that we can ensure that there will be a seventh generation to inherit the impacts our current decisions.
Sustainability looks different to different people; ultimately, there is no one correct definition or practice of the concept. But before we begin to disagree on the best way to approach it, we must first agree that it is a worthy endeavor, and that a society based on sustainable practices is going to fair far better in the end than a waste- and greed-based society. By establishing this common ground, we will find that most of the obstacles in our path are easily overcome, through collaboration, creativity, and synergy.
This then is our hope for Farmhouse: to be a vessel for collaboration, a source of creativity, and a force of synergy; to discover what it means to build community; and to develop an intuitive sense of responsibility for present and future generations. This is what it truly means to be sustainable.
- s. tower 2009
"Whatever you do will be insignificant,
but it is very important that you do it."
When we choose to act, while the impact may be insignificant, the implication for society is enormous. And when we understand the basic principles of interdependence and are able to cultivate an intuitive sense of responsibility, we will find that sustainability is not so hard a thing to grasp.
Our philosophy is quite simple: if there is a way to live that is bearable, equitable, and viable, than we have a responsibility to discover what that looks like and to share it everyone. It is not going to be easy, nor will it happen overnight. But it is incredibly important that we begin this work now, so that we can ensure that there will be a seventh generation to inherit the impacts our current decisions.
Sustainability looks different to different people; ultimately, there is no one correct definition or practice of the concept. But before we begin to disagree on the best way to approach it, we must first agree that it is a worthy endeavor, and that a society based on sustainable practices is going to fair far better in the end than a waste- and greed-based society. By establishing this common ground, we will find that most of the obstacles in our path are easily overcome, through collaboration, creativity, and synergy.
This then is our hope for Farmhouse: to be a vessel for collaboration, a source of creativity, and a force of synergy; to discover what it means to build community; and to develop an intuitive sense of responsibility for present and future generations. This is what it truly means to be sustainable.
- s. tower 2009