Lacy Cagle

Applying what I have been learning about sustainability has made me more aware about the products that I use as well as the habits that I have formed over the years.  At the grocery store when I was asked paper or plastic, I would say " whatever is fine".  Now, I say"no bag I have my own".  I know that this is a small step in a large process but this has carried over into my habits of travel, eating, drinking and product awareness.  It has made me slow down and consider all aspects of life and how I can be more sustainable in everything that I do. It has taught me there is more to sustainability than just energy reduction and recycling.   I also have seen the rewards of implementing these practices.  Just the other day, my wife, who has used plastic straws for as long as I have known her started using stainless steel straws and a reusable cup.  Its nice to know that change for myself has been effective in changing the way someone else thinks about living.  

By applying what I've learned about sustainability in my own life I'm more engaged in my actions and take time to think about the impact of those actions. Each day I'm making more connections to the full impact of my decisions on not only my direct environment but the global environment, people, ecosystems, etc. This helps me learn more deeply about sustainability and more effectively view what I'm learning with a systems thinking process.