Studying Sustainable Practices at Cascadia College

By Kathryn Beames: A Senior at Cascadia College

Two years ago I enrolled at Cascadia College with the hope of being admitted into the Bachelor of Applied Science Sustainable Practices. It took some time before I was able to apply and was accepted. In that time, I took classes in the Environmental Technology and Sustainable Practices Associates degree program. My interest was sustainability and the built environment. I could see change is needed but there is a struggle to change both the habitats and influences we have considered the norm for so long. I want to be involved and contribute to a more balanced future that considers not only our current generation but those of the future. 

So what is sustainable practice? To answer that we need to have a better understanding of the world around us, the Earth’s many systems that sustain and give us life, and how we contribute as individuals, communities, countries, and the world as a whole. As we begin to understand these systems and the human impact on them we can begin to understand why sustainability is important. So far this is the biggest takeaway I have from studying Sustainable Practices at Cascadia College. 

I knew when I entered this program that I would need to have an open mind, and even though my interest is still the built environment I have become aware of the many ways our built environment impacts not only the environment but others. Sustainability is not just about the environment and our resources it is also about meeting the needs of individuals and the community as a whole. We are taught early into the program about the triple bottom line or the 3 E’s; equity, economy, and environment. The idea is to work towards a balance amongst each of these areas. We want to see a strong economy, that doesn’t harm the environment and is fair to everyone. Understanding this concept and applying it to sustainability has contributed to my new awareness. 

Studying sustainability at Cascadia College has given me a better understanding of the science and data used to show how we are changing the climate of our planet. With this understanding, I have learned to look at different ways we are contributing to the problems and also the possible ways we can address the problem. There is no one size fits all solution, but we need to consider the known consequences for each choice made and determine if it is the best course of action, and that it will not cause further harm. I have learned that not only do we need to consider our direct impact, but we also need to understand that there are many more indirect impacts that our daily lives contribute to. 

As I am entering my senior year of the program, I am still keeping an open mind. I am considering the different possibilities on how I can use what I have learned while studying sustainability to contribute to finding a balance between the 3 E’s.