Sustainability: An Umbrella Term

So what does this mean?

I think a lot of people forget that “sustainability” is an umbrella term for an absurdly large variety of topics and processes. The word “SuStAiNaBiLiTy” has become the puppy mill of buzzwords so much so that I’d wager the average American can’t list more than three subcategories. Similarly, to “go green” is such an atrociously blatant marketing scheme to make people think they can so easily contribute to the “sustainability” “cause”. (Read everything I’m writing very sarcastically.)

I spongebob the word “SuStAiNaBiLiTy” and continually hold it in quotes because it’s become such a passively common word that it has lost its virtue. As someone who has studied and worked in roles pertaining to the ideals of sustainability, I’m getting exhausted dealing with people who just don’t get it.

“Sustainability” is just the overarching word to represent a plethora of subtopics and causes (such as climate change, sustainable design, energy management, renewable resources, etc.) where each topic and cause is individual and not necessarily representative of the sustainability movement as a whole. This is something simple enough for me to understand and appreciate, but has the umbrella term become so overused and ultimately misused that it’s become arbitrary and lost its meaning and familiarization?

No, it’s not just about recycling. No, sustainability doesn’t mean plainly to “go green”. What does that even mean? No, sustainability isn’t even just about environmental operations. The word “sustainability” is just a noun. Does anyone remember SSR in elementary school? “Sustained Silent Reading” to get us kids to stfu and pretend to read? The word simply means to support something, to keep it going. And if you want to define it as an environmental science term, it’s the same definition albeit longer.

As in: “The entirety of 2020 has made me fear for the sustainability of my mental health.”

To some, “sustainability” means putting a recycling bin in an office kitchen nook even though a majority of the 90+ people that work on that floor are going to throw that single use plastic #1 cup in the trash or compost anyway. (Read: any bin but the correct one.) Then they’ll say some bullshit about how many emails they have and how they have bigger priorities. Bigger priorities than the Earth? Wow I bet you think you’re important.

Why is there such polarity between those who appreciate and those who are utterly ignorant?

There are varying degrees to appreciation and ignorance, like with many other societal processes (I feel like I have to make that clear). But the thing is, this isn’t new. Consider some less broad stroke movements, but still well known “alternative” movements — the kind that are typically more “directly impacting” humanity as we know it (which I consider to be more socially visible): this includes gay rights, women rights and reproductive justice, Black Lives Matter, animal rights, and overall human rights. Some rights in each individual category have been achieved in a way that makes me feel the general population kind of gets it, but doesn’t have a foundational understanding. For example, people who identify as LGBTQ+ are able to marry in only some states; women can now vote and get paid almost as much as men, but are only able to have abortions in some states; Black Lives Matter has reformed (not sure if that’s the best word?) police power structures in some states and attempted to remove societally enforced targets off their backs; not all animals are bred for disturbingly unhealthy livestock purposes but do hold rights in few states; I think you can assume there are some unfortunate pitfalls for human rights in the United States.

Sustainability is similar. People have fought to provide some kind of salvation for environmental processes and open eyes to destructive developments. But are some states still opposed to renewable resources? Yes. Are some places still not instituting three stream waste receptacles and not teaching children in school about it? Yes. It just doesn’t seem to entirely click with everyone yet. Bureaucracy? Maybe. But I think it’s more due to ignorance.

A lack of decentralized education.

If I were more eloquently versed in politics, I would like to have a podcast series discussing dissenting opinions from those for and against the above mentioned rights movements. I think the reality of America is that it’s full of half-assed educated people who are forced in some way or another to prioritize their values. Because all problems in American society, in my opinion, come down to lack of effective education (which stems from a multitude of different issues, but that’s a topic for a another time) and one or many reasons to structure their priorities by some common societal way, by which sustainability is not excluded from.

Influence plays a huge role in sustainability. (Or does it? Because I don’t see it anywhere.)

Particularly at this point in time, because of the general lack of value in educational material — despite the fact that the term “sustainability” began as a movement back in the late 1980s — because if someone from your social media following advertises a sponsor’s brand that sells fast fashion, disposable products, and/or other items along that line that are attractive to you. And for most people, if the product seems like just the thing you could use for the X/variable problem you have, you’re most likely going to buy it.

This, again in my opinion, is because there isn’t a lot of problem solving ability left in our brains after Amazon became the massive overarching conglomerate that it is when it did. If X influencer advertises a product a necessary aesthetic or a “you’re missing out if you don’t have it” item, most people don’t think twice about what kind of packaging it will come in, how long the product will really last, and ultimately how long it will sit in a landfill after they’re done using it.

An incomplete picture.

And while Environmental Science is a core science class in all educational structures, I know (as someone who has taken a variety of environmental science classes) there is quite obviously an emphasis on biological functions versus societal functions. So while it’s imperative to have a deeper understanding of the background processes that cause the natural phenomena we see on a regular basis, there is a lack of application of justice that is missing from the course that doesn’t ultimately allow you to connect the puzzle pieces to see the bigger picture.

It’s because of these missing pieces that people receive a dumbed down version of the movement. If someone wants to explore a movement, they’ll do their research, and make necessary adjustments to their lifestyle. However, a much larger superficial population will buy something more expensive from the organic section of a grocery store and feel like they’re helping the “cause”. It’s effectively the same result as adding spinach to a 4000 calorie lasagna to make the meal “healthier”.

Is there any hope?

On a more positive note, I’ve seen people really resonate with certain topics and causes pertaining to sustainability. Back at UC Berkeley, I was the Head of the Department of Zero Waste in my senior year and I met other students who were so overtly passionate about Climate Change, Zero Waste, Green education, energy conservation, the Oceans. It’s these kinds of people that I think about when I get frustrated experiencing others totally disregard the environment as a result of ignorance or convenience. I don’t feel so alone and I get to enjoy a brief moment of reassurance.

For me, my passions and inspirations lie with green infrastructure, renewable resources, and waste management — which are all forms in one way or another of waste reduction and prevention. It’s really important for me to keep positive about green interventions in society and in the bigger picture. I joke and rant about people and processes that frustrate me, which is (I’m finding) a great way to relieve stress, because if I don’t I’m saddled with soul crushing despair when I consider the desolate trajectory we’re hurtling towards.

First Libs made up climate change and now they have this “climate anxiety” hogwash?

Sometimes I do think I’m overreacting. Then I leave my house and walk a half block up my street and turn right (to avoid a Covid breeding ground) to see garbage, construction materials, and (for some reason?) clothes litter the curbs and streets of San Francisco. Wow, feeling of overreacting is not so strong anymore.

Practicing sustainable habits doesn’t really change things if you pat yourself on the back for one thing one day and continue to purchase fast fashion items, drive everywhere, buy daily coffees in disposable cups, take long showers, leave the lights on, throw batteries (hazardous materials) in the trash improperly when they should be taken to e-waste facilities — sh*t like that every other day.

Feel called out? We all should.