Can cultural change really happen? Can people learn to accept ideas different than their own? Can healing from traumatic challenges really create better collaboration and solutions? I think nearly all of us would agree that the answer to any of these questions is unequivocally yes. Today, however, that feeling really struck home.
Often lost in this debate is the importance of the people in the societies affected by the environmental legislation and non-legislation. I once had a history teacher tell me the purpose of governments is to protect and serve the people. Currently, with regard to environmental and social sustainability, I would argue many governments are doing neither, and it’s not for lack of resources. On the contrary, resources are spent on the very products that endanger human life. Government protection from toxic chemicals, predatory and dangerous business practices endanger the lives of people. We’ve had a very startling example of this in the recent financial crisis. Yes, that has little to do with the environment, but it has everything to do with community. Had those firms been properly regulated and sought to protect long term stability instead of quarterly profit, that whole crisis would have been averted, people would still be in their homes and employed. And people who are comfortably employed and in their homes are more likely to look at challenges beyond their own, such as the environment.
When the definition of sustainability is expanded to include people and principles within that definition are explored, there’s so much more to sustainability than better business practices. How about tackling the federal deficit or universal health care, or offering workers more time off to allow their personal lives and relationships to flourish? There’s genuine progress being made on at least one of those fronts in the US, but my point is there’s so much more to be done and changed. In a truly sustainable society, no action would compromise the future of that society, and our current practices endanger the survival of businesses and people in the next decade, not to mention looking at the ability of future generations to thrive.
So where does that fit in to today? It’s a bit of an obscure connection, one which doesn’t even have to do with sustainability. But for me it answered those questions I first posed with a resounding yes, especially since it came in regards to events far more destructive and traumatizing than our governments’ non-action on sustainability and disregard for citizens. Like Veteran’s Day in the US, November 11th is Remembrance Day in many countries, and at 11:11 AM the Canadians in our class led us in a traditional moment of silence to remember the sacrifices soldiers have made to protect their countries and the ideals for which they stand.
And here I was, remembering people I know who have fought in foreign wars, people I know serving in our military now and praying for their safety. And it dawned on me. I was in a room full of people, people from countries who not long ago were engaged in brutal conflict with one another, countries hell bent on destroying each other with leaders who had little regard for the life of their citizens. And here we were, as a group: Italian, Canadian, American, Japanese, British, Irish, German, Israeli, Iranian, Indian, Turkish, Chinese, and so many more remembering those who had fallen in wars against each other. And when the minute was over, we were back to working towards solving the world's next great crisis. So yes, the trauma happened, but the strength we have created by finding a new challenge and new hope for solutions has moved us so far beyond the despair felt by the world 65 years ago. That is powerful, and so crucially important as we continue to create momentum to move our societies against the status quo.
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Sorry about the gap between the blog postings; it’s been an incredibly busy couple of weeks. We’ve finished our first series of units here, and have begun our next set of classes and two big projects. I’ll be looking at a life cycle assessment of a smart solar and battery system which could be used to build a house or building entirely off-grid. I’ll also be looking at the sustainability impacts of a fluorescent light bulb manufacturer here in Karlskrona. Both groups are with new people, and so far we’ve had some great lectures on group organizing and group dynamic, which we’ve already put into practice. It’s too bad I didn’t have some of this experience and knowledge working on projects before, it makes the meetings so much more effective!
I love playing soccer with the European crowd, as well as a few North Americans and Asians. Though I’m not much more than a warm body on the field, I’ve been picking up on a few things and having a good time. Basketball on Wednesday nights has been enjoyable as well. And speaking of exercise, now that the winter winds… let me rephrase that… gales have kicked in, even getting to school can be a cardiovascular adventure.
I’ll keep you all posted on some upcoming class adventures. We’re headed to Volvo in a couple of weeks to look at what they’re doing in their management to encourage sustainability in their company. Beyond seeing an exciting and established company and its sustainability pursuits, it will be nice to get to see a new city in Sweden. And while in Gothenburg, I’ll even get a chance to catch up with some long lost family (though I suppose I’m the lost one, given the fact that they’re still in Sweden), which should be quite fun! We’re also headed to Malmo (just across the Baltic bridge from Copenhagen, Denmark) during the upcoming climate talks to revamp the Kyoto protocol. We’ll present research on sustainable and renewable energy products there at the World Trade Center on Saturday the 9th, and get to move in to Copenhagen to take part in some of the events on Sunday. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to head down there early on my own and spend a couple of days taking the feel of a city hosting a summit of world leaders.
I hope everyone is still getting a chance to read and enjoy these. Keep in touch; I’d love to hear from folks from home!
Hej,
Wyeth
