Author: kblack3

The Mental Health Aspect of Sustainability

kblack3 /

On the first day of my intro sustainability class this semester, my professor told us how the class may depress us and that if we need to talk about it, she’s always here for us. “We’ll get through this together,” she assured us. This is a part of sustainability we often neglect: the mental toll it can take on us. Ecological grief is “similar to other forms of grief” as Aviva Fialkow writes in her article “Eco-grief: How to cope with the emotional impacts of climate change” (University of Calgary, 2021). These feelings of sadness often arise after forest fires, extreme weather events, pollution, and other forms of environmental degradation (University of Calgary, 2021). There is a similar form of mental distress when it comes to climate known as “eco-anxiety.” There is a bit of a debate on if these phenomena matter or not, with some talking about how there are more important health issues relating to climate change such as heat-related stress or the health consequences of floods and droughts (The BMJ Opinion, 2021). Research on the mental health side of environmental health is fairly new but the evidence collected thus far suggests that the problems associated are very serious. One American study highlights the growing stress associated with climate as a large number of people ages 27 to 45 reported “growing concerns about raising children during a climate apocalypse” (The BMJ Opinion, 2021). I often see jokes on TikTok that the most effective form of birth control is environmental science classes. Turns out, there is some truth in that. One survey conducted in 2020 found that “one in four cited climate change as a factor in why they do not currently have children” (The New York Times, 2021). There is a growing number of people who feel that it is unethical to give birth to children due to the growing concern about climate change. 

People feel shame when they grab an extra bag at the store, sadness when they think of the future, and anxious whenever a news report about how we’ve passed the point of no return. So that raises the question: what can we do about it? Aiva Fialkow offers a few different coping mechanisms. One is that we have to focus on what we have control over and not what we don’t (University of Calgary, 2021). For example, I work at Publix and we have a policy that we have to give customers bags no matter what. It bugs me to no end when I have to bag an order in plastic and then paper. But that isn’t something I have control over: my company makes the rules and as an employee, I have to follow the rules so I shouldn’t feel bad about it. Fialkow also suggests “finding solace in natural spaces” (University of Calgary, 2021). Many people find that tending to a garden or going on a hike not only helps them feel better about their eco-anxiety but also contributes to their well-being overall. As we continue to try to solve the issues of our planet, we need to make sure we aren’t neglecting our feelings so we can effectively reduce damage to the Earth. 

 

https://ucalgary.ca/news/eco-grief-how-cope-emotional-impacts-climate-change

https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/10/06/the-climate-crisis-and-the-rise-of-eco-anxiety/

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/20/style/breed-children-climate-change.html

When It’s Cheaper to Be Sustainable: Eco-Friendly Economics

kblack3 /

About six months ago, I took an Uber home from my favorite skatepark. Like most Uber rides, my driver made awkward small talk with me. While driving down Poinsett Highway, she asked me “So you go to Furman? What do you study?.” I hesitated for a moment. Whenever I tell any adult stranger my major, I always get this funny look. But she was driving so as long as I didn’t look at the rearview mirror, I could avoid the look of disapproval.

“Political science and Sustainability” I replied. I couldn’t resist. I had to look in the mirror.

With a raised eyebrow she said “Politics and Sustainability? Isn’t that like “big shrimp”?” 

My Uber driver was catching on to the same thing I noticed since I started to take sustainability more seriously: the implied oxymoron between politics, the economy, and environment. 

Everyday I am reminded of the tension between these different parts of life. When I pass the Earth and Environmental Science department, I stop to read the Guy McPherson quote on the wall: “If you really think the environment is less important than the economy, try holding your breath while you count your money.” 

I understand where McPherson is coming from. It is hard to watch politicians like Majorie Taylor Greene bring Scooby Doo memes about the Green New Deal into Congress and try to take it seriously. I often think that stupidity will kill us before climate change does. 

However, can two things be true at once? Can you care about the economy and the environment at the same time? 

I think so. The way we have been treating our planet will have long term effects that are economically detrimental to our fast-paced and ever growing world. Making the changes necessary to protect our planet will not only limit the irreversible damage to ecosystems but can also be financially advantageous to businesses of all kinds. From the local mom and pop restaurant to the major corporation, being sustainable can save money.

There is one important caveat: cost-benefit analysis. Because of the current structure of our society and the way things are manufactured, there will always be instances where it is more expensive to be sustainable. However, it doesn’t take much to see how sustainability can, in certain circumstances, be financially advantageous. 

For example, getting the bigger bag of dog food at the store is not only cheaper per ounce but once you are done with the bag, you can reuse it as a big trash bag. That is one less trash bag you have to pay for. Also because you bought a bigger bag, you don’t have to buy another bag for a while. This is just one simple thing my family does to save money and be sustainable at the same time.

Instead of wasting food that you didn’t end up eating, you can compost it. If you throw it away, you spent money on something you didn’t eat and it serves no purpose outside that. If you compost it, you did spend money on something you didn’t eat but you saved money with a natural and free way to enrich the soil in your backyard. Instead of rebuying the same pack of utensils for your dorm room each month, go to Goodwill and pick up a cheap cutlery set. They will last a long time and that is one less purchase for the broke college kid. If it is nice outside, walk to your next destination. With gas prices this high, it is good to conserve any bit you can. 

Investing in sustainable infrastructure can also help stimulate the economy. America has a transportation problem and if we invested in electric trains/buses, more people could get to their jobs and the cost to transport the most people at once goes down. The return on investment is quite clear. 

These are just a few examples of how being sustainable can be cost-effective. As you go about your day, challenge the way you view sustainability and its relationship to the economy. Sustainability isn’t just a thing for rich people: being green can be accessible and affordable. Who knows, you might even save some money while you’re at it!