How does one inspire and motivate a community to want change- to desire sustainability- to implement progress?
What if those in the community have more negative assets than economically successful ones? Delete. There is no such thing as a negative asset. When an outside source makes a promise to the people to initiate sustainable development the said source must recognize and utilize all of the community's local assets. They must mobilize the existing resources in order to instill hope and to avoid unnecessary dependence on outside groups. These assets can be anything from a library to a book club, from a sports team to a field, from a wash to a water fountain.
These ideas have been circling in my mind each day. How is a grassroots green movement started? How does it stay sustainable? How can an environmental movement encompass all of America while simultaneously embracing racial, economic, and aesthetic diversity? I hope to answers those questions.
While those thoughts have taken over, I am still working with the Drachman Institute. Last week I went to two schools, Tully and Brichta, and worked with their student body councils. We asked the kids what they thought about their schoolyard, what they wanted from their schoolyard, how they use their schoolyard, and many other things. We are now beginning to analyze their feedback and eagerly await the faculty feedback from the survey I made. We have also spoken with neighborhood associations and PTOs. We will analyze the topics of commonality between all of these different points of views and begin to create a green plan for the schools. This will contain an architecture plan. Very exciting!
I am reading many books on the environment and the state of American cities. I find myself growing worried about the practical implementation of converting cities for the future of people, rather than cars. But hey, I suppose if change is to happen, it will start with independent communities devoted to the betterment of this earth- like Tully and Brichta!
What communities do you belong to? What assets do you use weekly?
Schools are an important place for change to start; here are some kids from the BASIS community planting a garden and holding a candle light vigil. (POWER and RECS supported event)ZV
2 comments:
Interesting post, Zobella. When you talk about sustainability, are you talking only about environmental sustainability? Or does it also include other things a community might value, like employment and income stability?
Interesting question, Mr. Waggoner.
When I say sustainability I am talking about one of two things:
1)Environmentally sustainable
2)a program that is sustainable within the community; that could encompass employment, participation rates, etc.
Does that make sense?
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