Gandhi Knows Best

“Be the change you want to see in the world”- Mahatma Gandhi 

This quote is relevant towards achieving a sustainable future in more ways than one.  True change cannot be achieved without a sufficient foundation.  It’s easier to come up with characteristics that define the change you would like to see, but it’s more difficult to think of actions that ultimately drive the change you desire.  The ideas and characteristic that we associate with a sustainable future can only be achieved through implementing action.  In my opinion, the actions that will drive the change towards a more sustainable future include sufficiency, collaboration, innovation and balance.

Characteristic: Sufficient 

Mental Mode: I’m a minimalist, I do not need to use an excessive amount of resources to prove my self worth.  

In the article Limiting Consumption: Toward a Sustainable Culture accredits overconsumption with the “surging exploitation of resources that threatens to exhaust or unalterably disfigure forests, soils, water, air, and climate.”  To ensure a sustainable future we must critically evaluate our daily routines to help us determine the specific areas where we carelessly utilize unnecessary resources.  A large majority of our society believe that the earth has an infinite supply of resources that will never run out.  We must begin to view the environment as a living being because it has certain needs that must be met in order to ensure its survival.  The mindset, “presentation is everything” poses a significant threat that ultimately detracts our society from achieving a sustainable future.  The multitude of advertisements have caused many consumers to raise their expectations towards products and it will continue to progress if not addressed.  A possible solution is the government establishing more limitations on the number of advertisements that businesses are allowed to present to consumers.  A sustainable future avoids misleading consumers with mindless advertisements.

Characteristic:Collaborative

Mental Mode: Harmony and communication make all industries stronger.

For example, if the apparel and textile industry is committed to using less water in the production of its products, but the agriculture industry continues to use excessive amounts of water, the lack of collaboration among the two industries creates a toxic cycle that reinforces unsustainable management practices.  An environment will be more profitable when industries are unified by communication.  Mental modes similar to the “us vs. them” mentality creates an unhealthy dynamic that paralyzes our efforts in achieving a sustainable future.  Collaboration can be achieved through installing a mode of contemplative thinking, known as systems thinking.  “In systems thinking, sustainability is a dynamic process, featuring the networks of relationships among the purposeful motions toward a shared vision, the properties of a complex social ecological concept.”(Visioneering: an essential framework in sustainability science)   

Characteristic: Innovative

Mental Mode: I have the responsibility to create more alternatives that will ultimately benefit the future. 

Throughout this semester I’ve gained more awareness concerning the alternative fibers that can be used to substitute the use of natural and manufactured fibers. Many of these so called ‘alternatives’ also pose many threats that are detrimental to the environment.  We can take more actions to become more proactive in developing solutions that fully address the problem.  It’s also our duty to develop and design solutions that will ensure the longevity of our environment for future generations.  For example, the alternatives that can be used to substitute polyester fibers can also be extremely damaging to the environment.  Mental modes like “we’re wasting our energy in our quests to develop more sustainable alternatives because sustainability is a concept that cannot be accomplished” creates a barrier that directly impacts research and development.  A innovative future that’s sustainable can be accomplished  by “expanding our capacity for foresight, and we can do it by learning how to imagine many possibilities when we are thinking about the future.” (Thinking Ahead: The Value of Future Consciousness)  We must refuse to accept defeat and continue our quest to discover alternatives that are truly sustainable.

Characteristic: Well Balanced

Mental Mode: To find a solution to a problem I consider the environmental costs as well as the financial costs.

A decision cannot be a SOLUTION without evaluating the environmental and financial advantages and disadvantages.  For example, if a retailer only took into consideration the environmental costs involved in the production of goods it would be very difficult to obtain a sizable profit.  Our goal for the future must “involve not only the integration of disciplines, but also different views and knowledge in the processes of deliberation and assessment.”  Mental modes like “the only purpose of the environment is to line my pockets with money” is a mentality that’s hampering our growth.  A well balanced environment can be achieved through the mode of systems thinking.  When more people feel like their needs are being addressed the more receptive they will be towards change.   

The formula for a Sustainable Future: 

Sufficiency + Collaboration + Innovativeness + Balance = A Sustainable Future