on my way to my graduation ceremony to get my masters in environmental management this evening, i thought about what i would write about if i was given the chance to submit a graduation essay. so here it is:

throughout the time i was completing my masters, most of the students in my class thought that businesses and profit was evil. some of them believed that if we could halt development and slow economic growth, it would reduce the demand on raw materials and our impact on the environment.

the reality is, we don't live in the stone ages and rather than thinking about how we can reverse environmental impacts from stopping commerce, i've come away with the belief that we should focus on helping individuals understand how their choices and actions can make a difference to the environment.

we are only guardians of the earth we live in. we are only passing through in this journey of life and we should tread gently. the difference we can make between leaving behind an environment for the future generations or leaving nothing behind comes with the choices we make.

its about considering how small actions can account to a larger good. perhaps its deciding you will support the slow food movement by buying local or organic produce. choosing public transport over driving yourself to the city. buying a product which has a significant recycled componenet.

life is about the choices we make. and that is what makes the difference.