GUEST BLOGGER: Rebecca Cutts, Rising Senior at Emory’s Business School and Fifty Forward Summer Intern
My heart is with non-profit organizations. A cut throat corporate world is not for me.
This is why the Atlanta Regional Commission seemed like the perfect place for me to stretch my legs and become familiar with how non-profits work.
I began interning with the Fifty Forward Program thinking it would be a great way to gain work experience; learn how things work in the real world. Little did I know I would be learning how to make sustainable choices and think beyond my 5 year plan after college.
Before learning the facts, there was a lazy quality to my efforts in making smart choices when it came to the environment. I did have some good habits already instilled before coming to work for ARC. Like recycling, I recycle all my plastics and instead of taking the 12 minute shuttle ride to class I always opted to take the 15 minute walk.
Since coming to work for the ARC on the Fifty Forward Program, I have researched and learned about sustainability, land use, and energy efficiency among many other topics. I began to realize the effect each individual has on the environment. I knew I had to change my wasteful habits, like not shutting my computer off before I go to bed, driving to get the mail, leaving my phone charger plugged in, leaving on random lights not in use, and cutting down on my liberal paper towel use.
Now, I make more of an effort: I drink tap water out of reusable cups, I bring my own coffee mug to work, and I take my own bags to the grocery store and reuse the plastic bags as trash bags. I try to educate my family on the issues. Sure these are just baby steps, but if we all take baby steps…imagine how far we could get.
Become part of the conversation. Educate yourself on the issues and tell us what you think people can do to cut down on waste, not just trash but wasted energy, time, gas, and space.
June 26, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Yup–I completely agree!
I definitely feel more informed…and more in control! So I’ve done the recycling thing too, but now I’m aware of so many MORE things I could do to help make the Atlanta Region better.
Like what you’re saying: replacing that leaking facet, taking a quicker shower…these are just SOME of the things I am starting to change.
But I also realized the need to inform others. Awareness is the first step to change. I really want to continue informing others, even when my experience at ARC is (physically) over.
-From a fellow intern
June 26, 2008 at 3:07 pm
To quote GI Joe, a Real American Hero: “Knowing is alf the battle!”
June 27, 2008 at 3:57 pm
I gotta say – you have also injected some great new energy into what are often pretty dry public policy issues And you help make them real rather than abstract. Keep up the flow of ideas.
June 28, 2008 at 7:13 pm
It all starts with small changes, which these young people can inspire all of us to make. We Americans have grown up in a culture of plenty and are quite wasteful in our habits. It is clear now, that is not sustainable. Let’s all THINK about how we live our lives and just how much more carefully and frugally we can exist — so that others can continue to enjoy this beautiful planet we are so lucky to inhabit. Make one small change per week! You can do it.