Can Small Steps Keep Sustainability From Slipping Through Our Fingers?

Cameron Cassan

Why is sustainability so popular?

One reason is that it addresses a deeply embedded belief by some that the world is going to “hell in a hand basket” – that somehow things are falling apart and the end is near. This embedded fear of collapse might explain why the hysteria over Y2k was so pronounced. Even I had the confidence in our society to avoid that madness.

Hmmm . . .

But think about this: the millennium began with Y2K, followed by 9/11, followed by $4.00 gas, followed by Katrina, followed by a tsunami, followed by a world economic meltdown. Obama’s unprecedented victory in 2008 (first president with a vowel at the end of his name ever – and Kennedy doesn’t count but its close), was in part a statement of hope by many who wanted to see the pieces of our society get put back together.

Sustainability for many represents a philosophy that can “fix” the ills of society that will make us energy independent, toxic free and socially equitable in one fell swoop. In principle, it could do just that, but now we are at the precipice of action. The battle of ideas is over and sustainability has won – just look at the phenomena of green jobs, solar, urban farming etc., and yet, as a culture, we have not made the leap from idea to action.

Making a Start

The big jump into the unknown must be made, and made soon, or sustainability will fall prey to one of its unintended spin-off effects: green washing.  What people fail to realize is that the leap of faith into action is not really a leap at all, rather it’s one small, tiny, baby step.

That step is only valuable if it’s made with intention in a general direction – i.e. the end game of being energy independent, toxic free and happy as a clam. Otherwise that small step is made to avoid embarrassment (getting caught not recycling) or to keep up with the Greens (instead of the Joneses) or to not feel like a polluter. The small steps need to be made in the direction of some much bigger goals – goals that will require a great deal of patience and determination.

Small Steps

A sustainable world is within our reach, but only if we reach out to grab it. We’ve all fantasized about winning the lottery, but how many of us actually but a ticket. Now, instead, we fantasize about a sustainable future, but how many of us have taken the time to determine a course of action, and how many of those have actually taken a step in the right direction.