Sustainability, in my opinion, is the ability to provide a brighter tomorrow without sacrificing the needs of today. A way that we can upgrade without degrading something else.

Fundamental in my version of sustainability is progress. We should be better off tomorrow than we were today because of what we learned.

That includes researching and gathering information to be analyzed in order to build a better world today and tomorrow and days long after that. It is essential that we have to keep learning as the planet continues to change.

I have always championed having an active student mentality. I feel that this is the way to truly grow as a person. I seek to keep mine diligent and active always. Whether it was on the athletic fields, in the classroom, or just everyday things, I always strive to get better.

The need to add new things to your repertoire in order to prevent complacency is pivotal in growth. You have to keep evolving.

The more obvious reason for my interest stems from my most recent employment within the renewable energy sector.

If you had told me two years ago that when I graduated and got a job it would be within in the energy sector, I would have driven you to the emergency room because you must have knocked your head. The only thing I knew about energy was that Gatorade replenished mine.

There was a “mouth-to-a-firehouse” beginning at the Solar Research Consultancy I worked for. I not only had to learn about how electricity works, but how is measured, stored, used and lost.

Next, was getting a crash course in how Solar Energy works, the supply chain and basically everything under the sun… pun intended.

The learning curve was sharp and once I started getting a grasp on the research and industry I was sent off on market research projects and became very familiar with the renewable energy industry. “Going Green” was on everyone’s radar and was even front page news.

I was fascinated by the space. And I am equally intrigued by this new industry with environmentally sustainable motives. I felt as if I was doing my little part to save the world.

The Brundtland Commission, offers a more clear and concise definition as the ability “to meet the needs of present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.”

Similar to the build-break-build model used in workplaces and classrooms we should apply the same thought. We have built this wonderful world that we live in. Great! Now we have to break the bad habits we developed getting here and build on top of that knowledge but with a renewed sense of true sustainability, perspective and careful consideration.

Ultimately though, what grabs most of the public’s attention to the issues facing the environment is the urgency of the need and the frequency at which we see the issue.

“Going Green” has now become a fad. It’s all over the media, the Internet and advertisements everywhere appeal now to “green” consumers. However, the exposure is vital to development. In fact, it could be the most important part of creating a massive movement.

Word of mouth still proves to be the most effective marketing strategy across industries. It may be corny, it may be overplayed and it may a cheap way to make a buck but, fundamentally, the new cool trend helps bring the issue to the forefront of the public eye. It has been instrumental in developing awareness and stimulating action from companies all the way down to an individual level.

Charlene Easton, the director of the sustainability office at University of British Columbia talked about how the movement is registering with today’s youth, “This demographic knows that it is in their lifetime that they have to solve climate change … Students are aware of these things. More than maybe any other generation, it really matters (to them).”

“Sustainability” and “Going Green” as feel-good buzzwords is a good thing. Now the mission has everyone’s attention.

On a worldwide scale, this movement has been infused with the realization that things need to change NOW. If we don’t branch out to other ways of living then this planet will die along with all of its inhabitants.

We control our planets destiny and the fate of life on earth as we know is resting helplessly in our palms.

It will require an unprecedented massive collaboration by people, governments and countries worldwide for the necessary growth to begin.

We are making progress, but so much more still remains to be done.

What can you do to help save the world?