reflection times 3

This past week, I learned many things between our economy and culture combined. Just from the companies I researched that are pushing the “green” movement, I found out what makes up the genetics of the company. Also, how they thrive in the economy and what kind of difference they make with using more earth friendly products. The Gensler article by far taught me the most important thing to share with others is that moving towards sustainability doesn’t have to be a scary thing. Or a bad thing for that matter. There are options and the way they run their company, is tailoring a project around the client. That should be the goal of any company is to make the customer happy. The way we live now can only improve if we can get others on board to this theory. If they could only advertise this more, or promote positive reasons why companies would benefit from this structure, then people could see that it really is a better way of living. I think this is relevant in terms of being more aware of products we buy that use minimal material, or buildings we design with green features. It will be a subtle change but with applying these little things, people will take notice. Often times what we learn plays a little part in what we do in the future whether we think it will or not. I for starters will be more cautious of types of materials I choose for projects and take the extra time to research the manufacturer. Not only this, but I will relay what I have learned to others because I see it is the only way to spread the word about sustainability. I think this is one reason why it is so slow growing because it is not something that comes up in every day conversation. If only people could see that it will become an even more improved way of living, I think that could catch peoples’ attention and make a lasting impression causing them to contribute. Further, I want to learn more about what type of companies value this thought process because I know I didn’t find all of them. I also found it interesting what Holly mentioned about SunChips moving backwards in sustainability from bio degradable bags to not because of their repulsive noise that bothered customers. I would like to know more if companies started towards sustainability and moved away from it because it got negative feedback from consumers. There are probably multiple circumstances, and I am anxious to find more.