Reflections on 2012

As most of our students for 2012 are finished now (or very nearly there), I thought for this week I would take some time to reflect on the year in terms of this blog and the topic of sustainability.

I am quite sure many of wondered what you had got yourself in for when we first introduced this topic to you at the beginning of the year.  I hope in some way we have helped all of you take a step forward in understanding why this topic is so important to each and every one of us.  

Here are some key points from this years blogs:

1.  There is only one planet earth 
2. Sustainability is not about being a greenie - its about respecting the environment, meeting peoples needs and within that ensuring that business is successful.  However without a healthy environment, there is no place for people to reside and therefore nowhere for businesses to thrive.  
3. We all need to play a part in product stewardship.  We need to consider carefully our purchases in terms of food or any product really in terms of asking questions about whether we really need it, what it contains, where it was made, what the companies policies on environment and looking after its people are like and are there better alternatives.  This applies to personal and business purchases.  And when any product enters out hands we then need to take responsibility for disposing of it in the most appropriate fashion.  
4. Choose natural fibres and avoid plastics as best you can (in this plastic orientated world especially biodegradable plastics and recycle whatever does come your way)!

These are just some of the topics covered this year.  

For any one who didn't get a chance to listen to my presentation on ideas around a sustainable veterinary practice of the future, you can listen to that here and for anyone who doesn't think its a reality, here is an example of a clinic who is out there doing it - sure they aren't perfect (I don't anyone is) but they have made some huge steps in a fantastic direction.  I discovered this clinic after I did my presentation so I was stoked to see that someone was out there doing it!

One of the biggest things I have learnt this year for myself around this topic is that local community involvement is so very important and also rewarding.  I have only taken small steps this year, but intend to develop this path in the next few years.  What impact have these blogs had on you?

I hope that I have managed to open your minds and eyes to this topic and the importance of it.  I look forward to hearing about your endeavours out in the big wide world and hope that some of this learning will be carried through into your new careers or lives after Otago Polytechnic!

For those students finishing with us - we wish you the best of luck as you forge ahead with your career.  We hope you stay in touch with us and let us know what you are doing - don;t forget to hook up to our Facebook page to stay connected to what is happening and this blog.    

For those who will return next year to achieve the next step in their goal - have a well deserved summer break and we'll see you bright eyed and bushy tailed in February!

Kind Regards
Francesca

The Ocean

Have you ever listened to TEDtalks - amazing inspirational and educational talks given by engaging speakers.

This is an 18 minute talk by Sylvia Earle on the worlds oceans. Its a serious talk but it contains good uses of humour to raise awareness of this serious topic.  It does highlight some great things are being done, but makes its clear that we need to do more.

The oceans are an integral part of planet earth and without healthy oceans we won't have a healthy planet.  If we haven't managed to flick the switch yet this year on this topic, perhaps this talk might flick it.

Have a great sustainable weekend.

Francesca