Page 12 - Living Aloha Magazine 21 May April June 2017

SuStainability

a healthy world

by Liah Howard

In order for sustainability to become a reality, humanity needs to

make a quantum shift in consciousness; a shift in thinking of human
beings as singular entities, to understanding our plurality; a shift
away from greedy selfishness and towards inclusive generosity.

Presently, most people are motivated by “me” rather than theirs.” Sustainability has three main pillars: 1) Economic
“we.” This self-centered mindset is destroying our planet. or profit; 2) Environmental or planet and; 3) Social or
Resources are being depleted at an alarming rate, and people. Each of these aspects can either contribute or
the future of the planet looks increasingly bleak. We are detract from the goal of establishing human-ecosystem
at a tipping point. For our world to become sustainable, equilibrium.

Though I remain an optimist, after completing
my research for this article, I was dazed by the dire
humanity must environmental circumstances we now face. Also feeling
join together to a bit hopeless, I turned to my inner Michael Moore and
make a difference went about interviewing a number of people of various
ages and backgrounds regarding their perspectives on
sustainability for the Earth. This is where I found hope for
sustaining our world.

humanity must join together globally and unite in its The first group I interviewed live on a communal piece
efforts to introduce truly sustainable practices. This of land in upcountry Maui. They grow their own food,
unification begins with each individual realizing they generate sun and wind energy, and share community
are an important part of the macrocosm, and that their meals and chores. One member, a father of two, shared
efforts do make a difference.
his believe that a universal currency could potentially
According to UCLA.edu, “Sustainability is most often support sustainability rather than defeat it. Another
defined as meeting the needs of the present without resident, age 24, excitedly shared with me the findings
compromising the ability of future generations to meet of Nikola Tesla, the inventor of alternating current. Tesla

12 FEATURES Living Aloha | SUMMER 2017