In completion of the Seminar requirement of the Sustainability Certificate, I enrolled in an Environmental Ethics Seminar and Sustainability Seminar. Throughout these two courses, several speakers came in to lecture the class, ranging from local Athens business owners to licensed Landscape Architects delving into research.
During my Environmental Ethics seminar, the lecturer that stood out the most to me was Tim Beaty and his studies on Biophilia. Biophilia, according to Beatly, is the innate desire by humans to build connections with nature and other living organisms. Biophilia has become a guide in my life, as few things bring me more joy than being present in the natural landscape. I know that I am not alone in this sentiment; Beatly explains that biophilia subconsciously drives all of our lives. Beatly explains that the reason our hormone stress levels lower after a walk, why bird songs are played in children’s hospitals in order to lower heart rates, why greener neighborhoods report lower levels of depression all lead back to the same theory- biophilia. Nature gives humans hope, illustrated by the conversion of a specialized cancer hospital with a design that imitates nature, defined by abstract tree trunks and the use of wood material. Biophilic design also serves as a reminder that we, as humans, are small yet important pieces in the bigger picture of our planet. Singapore exemplifies this humble attitude, changing their identification from a “city garden” to a “city in a garden,” as if showing reverence to nature. In order to achieve biophilic design, Beatly explains that humans must be able to engage with the landscape, whether this takes the form of edible landscaping, rain walls, rain gardens, etc. A component of Beatly’s lecture that particularly caught my attention was the discussion of biophilic design in Edmonton, Canada. One issue that continues to pester me throughout my landscape architecture courses is the question of how to encourage citizens to interact with the landscape during times of unfavorable weather. Edmonton found a solution to this issue during the winter months through biophilic design, with the construction of ice castles, warming stations, and strategic wind breaks. Our mental health depends heavily on the ability to access and interact with the outdoors, and that fact must not be abandoned during winter months. The quarantine due to the COVID-19 has personally proven this theory to me, as I found myself in a relatively poorer mood being cooped up indoors with restrictions to access landscape as I typically would. While creating biophilic cities may not be essential to the survival of the human race, biophilic cities and nature are the things that we live for.
During my sustainability seminar, I had the pleasure of listening to a representative from Creature Comforts, a local brewery in Athens, Georgia, who shared his insight on the extensive efforts that Creature Comforts has taken to become a sustainable business. As a fan of their beers, it was fascinating to learn more about the company’s core values and how they prioritize environmental stewardship and community engagement. During the lecture, the representative detailed the challenges that they faced in implementing sustainable initiatives, such as sourcing local ingredients, reducing waste, and using renewable energy sources. However, it was inspiring to see how Creature Comforts has found creative solutions to overcome these challenges, such as partnering with local farms and using biodegradable packaging materials. As someone who is passionate about sustainability, this lecture left a lasting impact on me. It reinforced my belief that companies have a responsibility to give back to the communities in which they operate and to take proactive steps towards reducing their environmental impact. It also made me realize that the task of becoming a sustainable business is not an easy one, and it requires a significant amount of effort and resources. Nonetheless, the benefits of these initiatives far outweigh the challenges, both in terms of the positive impact on the environment and the satisfaction of being part of a business that is committed to making a difference. Overall, the Creature Comforts lecture was a highlight of my sustainability seminar, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have learned from such an inspiring company. It has increased my admiration for businesses who prioritize sustainability and has inspired me to seek out similar initiatives in my future career.