on sustainability

The notion of sustainability is moving the 'green movement' and embedding it into business and cultural values. Social entrepreneurship - taking into account social/environmental needs and building businesses to contribute to solutions - is a growing wave. We've come a long way from the eighties, thank God.

The last retreat I participated in was held in Georgia at Epworth by the Sea. Camping there at the same time we retreated in the center was a group of 5th and 6th grade kids - maybe 50 or so. They were doing environmental studies - collecting samples of life from surrounding rivers and streams. Clearly, from the grins on their muddied faces, it was a great week for them.

One afternoon I was sitting on a rocking chair on a porch when the group met to discuss their evening meal. Apparently they were weighing the waste food from each team. They gave each team a goal weight somewhat below the last night's dinner waste. Awards were promised, enthusiasm raised. Impressive.

These kinds of sensitivities give me hope. The waste generated in America is appalling. We cannot sustain this lifestyle of excess. As I've grown in awareness it is amazing where I see examples that trouble me.

But maybe we are starting to 'get it.' Care of our world is surely part of a healthy spirituality, a sustainable ethos of life. No less but no more than care of each other.