By Gayle Borst, Board Chair and Executive Director

One of the things I like most about the beginning of a new year is that symbolically and psychologically it is a time for new beginnings and renewed efforts. What better time than the start of a new year to renew one’s commitment to supporting social justice, healing the environment, and nurturing peace. Educating ourselves and developing our global thinking is good, but now is the time to act.

Three years ago as we transitioned the 15-year-old Sustainable Building Coalition into a nonprofit organization with an expanded mission, we chose verbs for the new name – design, build, and live – to reflect our earnest desire to promote global thinking through local action. Some of the actions we accomplished in 2009 include:

Straw bale workshop - Group photo

• Organized guest speakers for 11 free sustainable living presentations
• Conducted 6 natural building workshops at real building sites
• Exposed hundreds of Central Texans to guest speaker Brad Lancaster and his life-changing approach to rainwater
• Promoted an integrated approach to water conservation through direct activities with the City of Austin
• Introduced scores of people to natural building and sustainable living through tabling at special events
• Organized a Partner appreciation dinner at Boggy Creek Farm to promote local, organic food. A gourmet 4-course meal, complete with local wines, was served outdoors on reclaimed, real dishes and glasses.

For an educational organization such as ours, producing educational events is a form of action; yet in 2010 our goal is to take the next step in our mission and do even more of the tangible actions – build! We plan to offer more workshops and build more public projects, and (hopefully!) start our village and sustainable learning center. We want to make a bigger difference in creating more sustainable, livable communities – through  teaching and building.

After a Board retreat later this month, Design~Build~Live will have more details to share regarding how we will make a greater impact in 2010. Watch for exciting volunteer opportunities to be part of these actions.

The New Year

At the start of this new year, I have also been reflecting on how each of us as individuals can make a difference. If we make sustainable lifestyle changes AND support others in making similar changes, we can make a difference. Here are what I understand to be some of the highest impact actions we can take:

1. Eat lower on the food chain (This is huge!)  – To reduce transportation energy, resource depletion, greenhouse gas emissions, cruel factory farming

According to the Sierra Club, livestock production is to blame for more than half of the world’s greenhouse-gas emissions, and “If you refrain from eating meat just one day a week, you’ll save as many emissions as you would driving 1,000 fewer miles this year.” If and when you do eat meat, make sure it is local, natural and humanely raised.

2. Consume less – To reduce transportation energy and resource depletion

Before making a new purchase ask yourself these questions: Do I really need this? Could I borrow or buy pre-owned instead? Could I make it myself? Look for fulfillment in friends, family, community and your inner self instead of in “stuff”. (Check out the well-done video, “The Story of Stuff”)

3. Minimize motorized transportation – To reduce transportation energy and climate change impact

Walk or bike whenever possible. Use mass transit or carpool when biking or walking are not appropriate options. Minimize your motorized vehicle trips – Ask yourself if they are necessary, and combine trips to reduce total miles traveled.

Lifestyle changes hold the power to have significant impact on building a more sustainable world. Some of these actions are simple, while others may take some dedication, but all have the potential to help the Earth, save you money and make you healthier and happier. You can do it! We at DBL will do our best to support your efforts toward a more sustainable life.

Have a wonderful, fruitful 2010!