Climate action at St. Joe’s has introduced many conversations about implementing more sustainable practices on campus. But what exactly does sustainability mean? The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) describes sustainability as “creat[ing] and maintain[ing] the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony to support present and future generations.” Similarly, the United Nations says the intent of sustainable development is to “meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” The common theme between these two sources is that sustainable actions not only fulfill our personal future needs but also those of our children and our children’s children. 

Sustaining means lasting. Unsustainable systems and habits always end in collapse. Sustainability can be implemented in many areas, like resource use, development, social systems and economic approaches. The Laudato Si’ Initiative on St. Joe’s campus is planning to identify areas where we need to incorporate more sustainable practices.

Other universities have already begun to do this. For example, one of Drexel University’s dining locations, Urban Eatery, began composting this past October. Swarthmore College is currently switching to an entirely renewable energy system powered by geoexchange techniques. At St. Joe’s, the Sister Thea Bowman Residence Hall is on track to be a geothermal-powered building. Moving forward, we should continue to develop a campus that will sustain our community members now and in the future.