by Jennifer Stone - Jungle Luv Plant Care

Member of BOMA's Environment & Sustainability Committee

Sustainability: n. Meeting the needs of the present without compromising

the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Lifestyle: n. A way of life or style of living that reflects the attitudes

and values of a person or group.

Biophilia: n. An appreciation of life and the living world. Our natural attraction

to the outside living environment. Our inherent need to be part of nature.

After we study these definitions, we must ask ourselves: How can we implement, foster and maintain a sustainable lifestyle? How can we act responsibly in our everyday lives to meet the needs of today without compromising the environment that future generations will depend upon?  How can we prioritize our values and act with integrity in the choices we make today?

At the most basic level, the definitions presented above are derived from our own experience. We spend a great deal of time as adults discussing the latest “green” ideas, practices, initiatives and so on. We plan parks, green roofs, and recycling stations. However, without a doubt, it is our children and grandchildren who are the future stewards of our environment. What messages are we sending to our youngsters? Sustainability is a core value that must be developed and encouraged from birth.

What we as human beings, young and old, experience from our earliest senses and memories is what we uphold and defend as adults. Hence, biophilia—our attraction and connection with nature—must be incorporated with sustainability as a core value; and it must be developed and encouraged from birth.

Renowned author Rachael Carson kick-started the Environmental Movement in the early 1960’s with her book, Silent Spring.  She focused on the root of education in The Sense of Wonder—a child’s curiosity and keen sensitivity to their environment.  Take a moment and read a few of the thoughts from her book. She emphasizes that a “sustainability lifestyle” must not only include children; it should focus specifically on kids.  This is our target audience.  They will be the conceivers of ideas, the designers and builders, and ultimately the end-users of sustainability. We must impress upon our children that benefits from best-practices come from acting in such a way that sustainability is an intuitive habit.  This means that in everyday life we must go beyond an occasional nod to best practices: “paper or plastic?” or “turn the lights off when leaving a room.” Rather, we must foster an innate connection with our environment; we all need to actually care about our lifestyle practices as we move toward true sustainability.

How many parents, aunts, uncles or grandparents have shared a nature walk with a youngster lately?  Have you spent time in the garden with them simply digging in the dirt?  Have you encouraged a day spent without electronic devices? Can we reasonably expect our children—our future generations—to uphold sustainability without an actual connection to our environment? Perhaps a sensory tune-up is in order.  As a modern society, our relationship with virtual reality is so prevalent that we forget about the pleasures available from our natural environment. Re-establishing this vital connection is the most important cornerstone for building a lasting and sustainable future, and it’s as easy as a walk in the park.