Sustainability: Looking forward

Earth Day means more than a one-day-a-year celebration. It’s about finding ways to sustain ourselves for the long haul. It means looking beyond the economics of creating jobs and supporting small businesses. It means pondering how to create truly local systems (can we grow enough wheat here to supply the region’s many bakers?). It entails questioning how and why we run our healthcare systems the way we do. It includes trying to bring everyone to the discussion, especially those on the fringes of our economic system — what does sustainability mean when it costs more to buy locally grown kale than it does to buy a fast-food-chain hamburger?

Biking to work helps reduce air pollution, but that’s not a viable option for many. But that hints at the bigger question: How do you get the sustainability initiatives of a few to multiply into the efforts of the many? Then we might get somewhere.

In this sustainability-focused issue, our writers and contributors touch the tips of a host of icebergs. If you’ve got a few notions about sustainability, share them with us. Fill out the sustainability checklist. Let us know what individuals, groups and organizations are working on the many aspects of the issue. Help point the way forward.

Coming into focus: Asheville’s worldview war

Challenging the paradigm: Environmental educators plant seeds of change

Shared creations: Building a sustainable future on Asheville’s margins

Missing link: The gaps in the sustainable economy

A healthy perspective: Dr. Jeff Heck on sustainability and health care

Food: This bread is our bread

Sustainable style: WNC’s burgeoning slow fashion movement

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

About Webmaster
Mountain Xpress Webmaster Follow me @MXWebTeam

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

One thought on “Sustainability: Looking forward

  1. Bob

    I think it’s best to focus on the number one cause of c02 emissions… Animal agriculture. Skip the cow burger and get a veggie burger, it helps a ton :)

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.