By Greg Seaman • August 17th, 2010

Only a year ago we were buoyed by the promises of “hope and change” that resonated through the political bullhorn and lifted our uncertain spirits. But as the optimistic goals become mired in longstanding political realities, many are still looking for the first signs of real change.

It’s natural to look to charismatic leaders who can deliver sweeping progressive change to those of us who yearn for a more sustainable future. But as the President-elect stated, this change must come from the bottom up. That means us. The actions of individuals and families are the real building blocks of culture and economy.

Creating change of any magnitude begins with small steps, and while these steps may seem insignificant, the rewards are immediate and tangible. Even the first spade in the ground of a new garden makes one feel proactive, in control, and hopeful. Making the simple decision to not use lawn chemicals is enlightening, as it begins the process of looking at the yard as part of an organic ecosystem which contributes to the well-being of our family, pets and local wildlife. Sewing a patch on a torn pair of jeans liberates us from the feeling that our fashion sense is dictated by the whims of designers, and helps instill the message of thrift as a family value.

Here are 6 ways we can each start building a sustainable future for ourselves and the world.

1. Get growing

Building a sustainable future begins with developing a healthy relationship with our environment. The natural cycles of life and the connections between healthy soil, water and air and our personal well-being become obvious to the gardener. If you have a yard, set aside a space for growing vegetables and get the whole family involved. Even a small plot will serve to teach your children the basics of our intimate connection with the environment. If you live in an apartment, even a small container garden on the balcony can accomplish the same.

In 1900, more than half the U.S. population lived on farms, 46 million out of the 76 million total population. By 1990, there were 3.87 million people living on farms, only 1.6 percent of the total population.

Besides the benefit of awareness, of course, a garden plot can also help defray food costs. However, this is not always the case. Gardening can be labor intensive and costly. If you hope to save on your food budget by gardening, here...

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Location:  Vancouver, CA

Hello. My name is Greg Seaman, and I write the pages for Eartheasy. Here's a little information about my background and how the pages of Eartheasy have come into being. A native of Long Island, New York, I...