Motivation for Sustainable Three:

My grandmother always said “leave it better than you found it”.

When I was a child, I read the book Barbarapapa’s Ark by Annette Tison & Talus Taylor (Xerox, 1974). It really moved me. An image from that story has eternally stuck in my mind. It is of people walking around in gas masks in a grey, polluted world. They are dreaming of doing their favorite activities and of the beautiful world that existed before all the pollution of their air, land and water occurred. This book motivated me to help preserve the beautiful world in which we live.

Polluted air, water and land are uncomfortable realities we can see today all around the world. However, there is still much beauty to be found and preserved and enjoyed. And, it’s not too late. As I’ve grown up and had children, a deep desire to prevent what I saw in the picture from happening has swelled to the point that I must do something.

I have found trying to reduce our family’s carbon footprint to be frustrating and tedious, but not impossible. I feel like I “should” do something to improve our environment. As I learn and grow, I hope to help others on their journey to more sustainable living by sharing and researching sustainable practices. And, get the “should” off my back.

People in the 1940’s and 1950’s were taught to throw things away. People today are learning to reuse and recycle. And, yes, you can make a difference…a little at a time. Even from something as small as picking up a candy wrapper to starting a garden. If you really want to make change, try picking up a piece of litter, and make sure at least three people see you do it.

My grandmother also said “thoughts are things”.

Sustainable Three’s Mission: To support sustainability practices by encouraging readers/clients to become more mindful about themselves, their community and the planet.