After an eye-opening week spent with no electricity, a wood-burning stove, minimal showers, two sets of clothes and twelve amazing UT Dallas students, I finally decided that sustainability is an issue worth all my efforts. Perhaps the profound effect this short spring break excursion imparted to me was due to the stunning change of scenery. I went from a campus promoting the "new": new buildings, new furniture, new plates/cups each trip to buy food, etc. But living as if the world is infinite is systematically flawed. Though as a stubborn optimist I believe that new doors will be opened to better technologies, I also recognize that I have begun to cherish "things" more and more. While this notion of buying to live is wonderful for the economy, it might also be the cause of bubble-bursts or steep, fickle sell-offs. Why not establish an economy based on high-quality, long-lasting goods instead of cheap, disposable ones? Through this new approach, more resources can be saved, opening doors for countries previously exploited.
So in an effort to be more sustainable, and to hopefully bring more students along with me, I have a 3 step plan.
1) Build a portable garden using only scavenged materials
This garden called "PGP" or "Portable Garden Project" stands to represent the connection all humans should have with their food. I want to prove that I can create a substantial garden with enough to feed myself for one meal a day for a week, without ever digging a hole, killing the school's grass or buying materials. The rules are as follows: a) I can only take materials that are not placed in their appropriate bins, b) the garden must be moved daily starting Saturday, March 29 and c) I will use cups and soil left over to distribute "adopt-a-plants" around campus for students to enjoy.
My vision is that UT Dallas students will have, at the very least, one plant each to represent their connection to nature and the food system.
2) Email an authority on sustainability each day during lent
Instead of giving up something this year, I hope to gain knowledge that everyone can benefit from. I will post all responses here.
3) Speak publically at least 3 times about hunger or sustainability
I am already speaking at UTD's TEDx event on April 13th, as well as at the Alternate Spring Break dinner on April 11th. I am looking for the third opportunity, and am sure it will arrive.
So in an effort to be more sustainable, and to hopefully bring more students along with me, I have a 3 step plan.
1) Build a portable garden using only scavenged materials
This garden called "PGP" or "Portable Garden Project" stands to represent the connection all humans should have with their food. I want to prove that I can create a substantial garden with enough to feed myself for one meal a day for a week, without ever digging a hole, killing the school's grass or buying materials. The rules are as follows: a) I can only take materials that are not placed in their appropriate bins, b) the garden must be moved daily starting Saturday, March 29 and c) I will use cups and soil left over to distribute "adopt-a-plants" around campus for students to enjoy.
My vision is that UT Dallas students will have, at the very least, one plant each to represent their connection to nature and the food system.
2) Email an authority on sustainability each day during lent
Instead of giving up something this year, I hope to gain knowledge that everyone can benefit from. I will post all responses here.
3) Speak publically at least 3 times about hunger or sustainability
I am already speaking at UTD's TEDx event on April 13th, as well as at the Alternate Spring Break dinner on April 11th. I am looking for the third opportunity, and am sure it will arrive.
