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What is the Solution?
Newsletter Article - July 2007
Loosely defined, sustainability is simply the continuation of a certain action without requiring any additional resources. However, when one refers to sustainability or being sustainable, it is rarely that simple. On a planet with billions of people it is difficult to take the resources required for everyone on the planet to do one action while still having enough resources to continue that action or continue actions that require the same resource. Simply put, the stresses that humans put on the environment by polluting, burning fossil fuels, deforestation, just to name a few, mean that the present quality of our lives is unsustainable. Yes, we can continue this way for a while, but in the long haul our planet cannot support such devastation. The question is no longer, "What is the problem?" but rather, "What is the solution?".
I have had the great fortune of seeing the solution firsthand. Almost 50 years ago, Dr. Jane Goodall began researching chimpanzees at Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania. She made several discoveries that revolutionized the very definition of human - more than enough to ensure her spot in the history books. She could have spent the rest of her life with the chimps in an awe-inspiring place, but she noticed that the area around Gombe was being destroyed. She had the solution though. She knew that the people inflicting the destruction were not doing so purposely. In fact, she figured that if they really knew the effects of their actions, they would care deeply. And if they cared, then they would take action to make a positive change.
Dr. Goodall did not stop there. She took her thoughts to the next level. The knowledge, compassion, and action model works well with adults on specific issues, but it does not seem to dramatically alter lifestyle choices. After all, every problem that we have inflicted on the planet can be tied directly to choices that we make every day, from what we eat to what we drive to how we plan our day. Consequently, in order to save our planet, Dr. Goodall went to those who would be motivated to make environment-friendly lifestyle choices based on the knowledge, compassion, and action model, those who have the greatest stake in the planet’s future: young people. She founded the Roots & Shoots program as a way to effectively organize and mobilize the efforts their efforts and concern.
I have had the privilege of being a part of the program for seven years and the honor of working for the program out of the national office in Washington, D.C., as the next roots & shoots Youth Fellow. The reason I joined was Dr. Goodall. However, the reason that I am continuing with the program and the reason that Dr. Goodall travels 300 days of the year spreading the program are the kids. We have 8,000 groups in 100 countries. Each group is conducting unique service learning projects based on the interest of the group’s members, and there is nothing more inspiring than the smile of a third grader after he or she has finished planting a tree or cleaning a beach. I said that I have seen the solution to our problems, and it is that smile and the sense of accomplishment that comes along with it.
David Chase Jr
roots & shoots Youth Fellow
(2007 Graduate of Sturgis Charter School)
