Bryan Good
Sustainability Studies student
In the Biblical creation story, mankind is told to subdue the earth as read in the English language. I see that mankind has done so. He has done it so well that that same man is concerned about how the earth will endure the future. The preservation of what we have is the focal point of sustainability. Saving the gift of this planet we’re on helps us to reach the definition of sustainability. This includes ‘not compromising the future generation’s ability to meet their own needs.’
I am not a tree hugger but I recognize that nature has done a much better job of
taking care of this planet than we have or will ever think to. I’ve also found in the short time I’ve been observing that almost every time man has settled an area, he destroyed it.
In his time of dominating the earth, man has routinely altered every place he has been.
Only one other animal alters it’s environment to accommodate it’s needs; That is the beaver.
For me, I have reduced the use of fertilizers in my yard to zero. If I want grass, I’m going to
aerate, throw seed, water it (with rain water saved in rain barrels) and fertilize with compost tea.
If you’ve read any of my blogs you’ll know that I have a lot of compost to use. In this way, I’ll be able to allow my chickens to eat from the yard while not having to worry about them taking in any poisonous chemicals wrapped in the guise of “fertilizers and anything ending with the suffix “cide.””
I no longer worry about these being washed down the stream that borders my land. I have planted trees in various locations in my yard and have added to my garden by way of various beds which include various berries, grapes and even potatoes.
I’ve been given dominion over a piece of land that is not mine. It is beneficial for me to
take care of it and leave in a better condition than when I received it. If I follow nature’s
pattern, I can’t go wrong. Take for example an exercise that I’m doing in another class. We are learning to incorporate ways to have this imaginary hotel co-exist peacefully in the place it’s located. As Head of Facilities, I’m going to incorporate allowing to grass to grow around the grounds. This will reduce our carbon emissions as we no longer need to burn fuel to keep it mowed and trimmed. We no longer have to fertilize as nature does it better. And we will significantly reduce our water requirements as we will not have to water the property. Overall, it’s a win-win for the hotel and the immediate environment.
This approach reminds me of a quote from reading The Common Life by Scott Russell
Sanders when he says, “If we make a career of being unaccountable, we have lost something essential to our humanity, and we may well become a burden or a threat to those around us.”
By taking care of my land in a manner that mimics nature I am becoming more accountable in a spiritual sense; Think of it as karma. When I take steps to let nature do what it does, there is peace. When I try to impose my will using the traditional methods the balance of nature is disrupted. When I let it alone and just manage it things are at rest. That is accountability to me.
Leave a Reply