Georgia Southern University to promote sustainable practices during Southern Sustainability Week | Newsroom

March 26, 2021

Donovan Clayton, a senior civil engineering main and sustainability fellow by way of the Workplace of Management and Group Engagement (OLCE) at Georgia Southern College, is aware of that growing a long-term sustainable life-style could seem overwhelming. Nonetheless, he’s trying ahead to exhibiting his friends, school and workers on the College simply how straightforward it may be throughout Southern Sustainability Week, March 29 by way of April 2.

Every day of the week could have occasions primarily based on a distinct theme, together with public well being, local weather change, social justice, consumption and caring for our group. Clayton helped plan the local weather change-focused day of Southern Sustainability Week.

“Addressing environmental, social injustices and over-consumption issues is a worthwhile enterprise by itself, however I imagine growing a sustainable mindset is essential in long-term life satisfaction,” mentioned Clayton. “Residing sustainably, throughout all facets of life, means dwelling so the long run doesn’t disintegrate, and I see understanding this with respect to the setting as a purposeful first step towards this.”

Sustainability Applications coordinator Cami Sockow mentioned the week is supposed to teach individuals on the completely different themes however to additionally talk about options that everybody can participate in.  

“Our final day, Friday, April 2, is concentrated on caring for our group,” Sockow mentioned. “I selected this theme for the day as a result of that is what all of it comes again to: our group. The extra we participate in and construct our group, the extra we really feel geared up to deal with these bigger social points. We can’t remedy them in our silos.”

OLCE Director Jodi Kennedy mentioned Southern Sustainability Week is essential as a result of it’s a chance to study practices that may influence everybody’s future.

“Being educated on sustainability matters that influence our world immediately contributes to the Workplace of Management and Group Engagement’s purpose of empowering college students to develop into international residents who lead constructive change,” Kennedy mentioned. “Southern Sustainability Week is such a precious alternative for college students to study sources and matters at this time that may clearly influence their future and future generations to come back.”

College students, school and workers who need to transfer towards a extra sustainable life-style will be capable of discover numerous areas of their lives the place small however impactful modifications could be made all through the week of occasions. 

“Get curious, and begin small; take a look at your every day and weekly purchases and habits and determine the place stuff you purchase come from and the way they get right here,” Clayton mentioned. “While you’ve recognized one facet of your life-style you’d like to alter, begin small. Strive Meatless Mondays earlier than making an attempt to go vegan or purchase your subsequent outfit from a sustainable model earlier than swapping out your total wardrobe.” 

The marquee occasion in the course of the week is a seminar from award-winning creator Robert R. Bullard, Ph.D., whose books have addressed sustainable growth, environmental racism, city land use, transportation and local weather justice, amongst different matters.

For extra details about Southern Sustainability Week and to register for Bullard’s digital presentation occurring on March 31 at 6 p.m., go to GeorgiaSouthern.edu/sustainability. Attendance verification will likely be supplied. For a full record of occasions, go to students.georgiasouthern.edu/LeadServe/files/Screen-Shot-2021-03-26-at-10.31.47-AM.png.