Introduction
As I initially considered it, sustainability is predominantly focused on plant preservation, natural resource protection, climate change mitigation, and fighting against environmental pollution. Nonetheless, my mindset toward sustainable development has been more comprehensive to include both economic and social dimensions apart from the environmental aspects.
Incorporating Specific Examples from Course Materials
I acquired a different perspective on sustainability regarding its multidimensional scope during the course. Issues like sustainable society, sustainable economy, and sustainable culture were some of the things that I started recognizing their relevance. For example, in the class discussion on environmental justice, we discussed that the environment burdens the less fortunate and benefits the more affluent. That idea touched me precisely, and I understood that it was not enough to protect the environment. Instead, I should work towards social equity (Center for Humans and Nature, 2014). In further discussion on the environmental effect of textile production, circular fashion and cutting textile waste in the fashion industry were underlined as highly significant issues. The severe environmental consequences of textile waste and the scale of greenhouse gas emissions were topics that I did not expect. Such discussions made me more concerned about my habits and the effects of my consumption on the environment and society.
Besides, the practical case studies in the course helped apply sustainability principles to realistic situations. In a case study of significant carnivore conservation, the writers put forward an environmental justice framework to resolve conflicts between humans and carnivores. This framework gives prominence to inclusive and resilient policies prioritizing environmental and human needs. The preceding case highlighted the fact that human factors should be taken into account for wildlife management. Besides, there was a case study about applying biobased materials in costume designing for performance, which revealed some other environmentally and resource-friendly methods of costume designing. The possibility of biobased materials as a new paradigm would set a new standard of costume design that began to consider the use of more environmentally friendly materials. This case study helped me to realize the value of creation and innovation in dealing with environmental problems.
Insights from the class session, as I studied topics on environmental justice and circular fashion and saw case studies on extensive carnivore conservation and biobased materials for costumes, helped me reach a much deeper understanding of sustainability and its various dimensions. Hence, the above examples demonstrated that sustainability meant more than just environmental conservation; it was about the economic, social and other components and the solutions to sustainability issues required original and genius approaches.
Reflection on Changes in Views
Taking part in this seminar completely revolutionized my perception of sustainability. At first glance, I believed sustainability was only concerned with environmental protection and greenhouse gas emissions reduction. The seminar also showed me various sustainability dimensions, including social, economic, and cultural aspects. Notably, the talks centred on environmental justice and textile waste in the fashion industry helped me shift my opinion and realize that unsustainability also entails social and economic consequences. The discussions following this led me to connect my life choices with sustainability and begin making changes in my consumption patterns, like buying less and recycling, to minimize waste production and reduce my carbon footprint. Thus, I also started to search for alternatives emphasizing the welfare of the people and the ecosystem, like circular fashion and sustainable biobased materials.
Also, the case studies on the conservation of big carnivores and biobased materials in costume design opened my eyes to the fact that innovative and creative solutions could help address sustainability challenges. Here, the case study on significant carnivore conservation demonstrated that the human and environmental aspects should be treated equally to make wildlife management more sustainable (Cannon et al., 2023). This was an example that sustainability was not necessarily a trade-off between environmental protection and the needs of humanity; on the contrary, sustainability could contain solutions that addressed both needs. The case study on costume design contributed a lot to expanding my understanding of sustainability. It extended beyond the traditional perception of sustainability as energy and resource conservation to alternative material engagements (Pantouvaki, 2021). Therefore, the seminar had to do with broadening my beliefs and perspectives on sustainability to realize that it has to do with environmental justice, social equity, innovation, and circular economy approaches, which are all necessities in dealing with the environmental crisis of the present times.
Change of Perspective
Engaging in this seminar has yet to adjust significantly my thoughts regarding sustainability. I had this prior knowledge, which had already led me to understand the sustainability concepts in the course material. Before this seminar, I considered sustainability a holistic approach that aims to secure humankind’s and the planet’s future. After attending the seminar, I have confirmed those beliefs. The topics and the discussions during the class have been focused on various dimensions of sustainability that include social, economic and cultural aspects, which strengthened my view that sustainability should not be just about environmental protection but should also include social equity and economic resilience as well (Agyeman et al.,2016).
Attending this seminar, I grasped the multidimensional nature of environmental problems and the vitality of the system approach in their resolution. Similarly, the two examples of significant carnivore conservation and textile waste in the fashion industry strengthened the fact that sustainability was not just about coming up with new ways but also through partnerships. Therefore, although my views on sustainability have not undergone a significant shift, taking part in the seminar has, however, given me a more profound understanding of why a variegated range of dimensions of sustainable development should be considered and prompted my belief that innovative and collaborative approaches are the most appropriate solutions in the battle of sustainability problems.
Critical Analysis of Initial and Current Perspectives
I have assessed and reconsidered how I perceive sustainability through my involvement in this seminar. Through discussions and engagements in the seminar, I have come to see that sustainability is not only about protecting the environment and conserving nature but also a multidimensional way of meeting current and future social needs. I understand that social justice, economic resilience, and cultural preservation are equally essential dimensions of sustainability. A combined effort is needed to ensure the well-being of individuals, communities and the environment.
Besides giving me a new perspective on sustainability, the seminar broadened my views about the complexity of the sustainability challenge and the need to adopt a system approach to addressing these issues. Inventive and interactive solutions are vital in achieving sustainable development targets and tackling sustainability challenges. I have also learned from my attendance at the seminar that sustainability involves more than just individual responsibility; it also relates to the shift of social values, norms, and practices. In general, this move towards joint responsibility and action is obligatory for accomplishing sustainable development objectives and creating a much cleaner future for all.
Conclusion
Attending this seminar has profoundly shaped my perception of sustainability. Engaging in different debates and discovering cases has broadened my perspectives or strengthened existing ones. Myge may stay the same, but I am more convinced of the necessity of innovative solutions to the complex problems of sustainable development. This workshop has underlined the need for an inclusive, multi-sectoral solution to attain a sustainable life where environmental, social and economic health are prioritized.
References
Agyeman, J., Schlosberg, D., Craven, L., & Matthews, C. (2016). Trends and Directions in Environmental Justice: From Inequity to Everyday Life, Community, and Just Sustainabilities. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-environ-110615-090052
Cannon, C. E., McInturff, A., Alagona, P., & Pellow, D. (2023). Wild Urban Injustice: A Critical POET Model to Advance Environmental Justice. Environmental Justice.
Center for Humans and Nature. (2014, January 14). Questions for a resilient future: Robin Wall Kimmerer [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4nUobJEEWQ
Pantouvaki, S., Fossheim, I., & Suurla, S. (2021). Thinking with costume and material: a critical approach to (new) costume ecologies. Theatre and Performance Design, 7(3-4), 199-219.https://doi.org/10.1080/23322551.2021.2002056
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