I am engineer which means I love to solve problems – to find solutions, particularly when it comes to the environment. I am an optimist – deep down I believe a solution exists to most any problem though we may not be willing to accept the tradeoffs associated with that solution. I am also teacher at heart. I love working with students. My goal is to help students become engaged learners and critical thinkers.

When I was asked to become involved in Greenhouse, I saw a wonderful opportunity to continue to meld all of these things I love. As I was brainstorming ideas for Greenhouse, I read a book called No Impact Man by Colin Beavan. The book resonated with me in that the author, who recognized that his political and environmental views were not in line with how he was living his life, decided to make a lifestyle change – and in a big way. For one year, the author and his family slowly learned to live their lives while making “zero” (a.k.a. minimal) impact on the environment. What stood out to me, almost as must as the extremity of his lifestyle changes (no I am not advocating going without electricity), was his willingness to try new things, be willing to make mistakes, and in general, to learn. Colin did not start out with all of the answers, but he was willing to search for solutions.

This course, A&S 100-014 The Sustainability Challenge, is an opportunity for students to learn ways to live their lives more sustainably. In the class room, we participate in hands-on activities related to topics in the book (e.g. ever made your own cleaning products or built a rain barrel or a vermicomposting bin?). Each week, students also engage in new challenges – some they will love, others, not so much.

My goal for the course is to expose the students to new experiences. My hope is that they, and our readers, will adopt some of these techniques for living more sustainably. So, follow us at https://thesustainabilitychallenge.wordpress.com/ and join in our challenge to live more sustainably!

Photo by Stephen Patton of UK’s Agricultural Communications