10 December 2021
Siegrist and his environmental choices
As 8a started publishing articles and interviews with a focus on the environment, we were told that Jonathan Siegrist had interesting thoughts. So we simply asked for some comments in regards to his background and how he has changed his life based on his environmental thoughts. (c) Corey Rich
"Right around the time when I started climbing, in 2004 or so, I also started my bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies at Naropa University in Boulder, CO. This was the first time that I heard of phrases like โEcological Footprintโ, โSustainabilityโ, โNot in my Backyardโ, and so on. Being young, impressionable, and also passionate about the outdoors, I changed big parts of my lifestyle based on what I was learning. This is when I began eating vegetarian (I have since remained a vegetarian or occasionally a pescatarian or vegan). Itโs also when I started to think critically of the waste I created, and my energy consumption among other things. These days I am still learning how to balance quality of life with environmental impact. I feel grateful to be able to afford a large solar system on my small home in Las Vegas that powers my electric car to the local crags, as well as covers our air conditioning needs during the summer. I offset all of my airline travel and donate monthly to rewilding projects (but still, undoubtedly, airline travel is my personal largest impact). I try to consider critically every buying decision and wasting decision that I make. Truly, sustainability permeates nearly all of my choices big or small.
Sadly, no matter how much we change our behaviours and choices as individuals, governmental policy is the best chance at overcoming the environmental challenges we face. Therefore I have and will consistently vote with the environment as my principal concern. I encourage that every person finds their unique path to a more sustainable way of living. Itโs hard to make real change when the results can be quite nebulous, so I think itโs best to start with the low hanging fruit and work your way up to big changes. There are several good sources online to examine your own footprint, and while they can be flawed I think that regardless, it is a great thought exercise and a good place to start.
Lastly, we are all learning - the evolution never stops - including me. I by no means have this entirely sorted out, and every single person no matter how disciplined is not perfect. However, donโt let one tough aspect of your life prevent you from changing a different one!"
"Right around the time when I started climbing, in 2004 or so, I also started my bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies at Naropa University in Boulder, CO. This was the first time that I heard of phrases like โEcological Footprintโ, โSustainabilityโ, โNot in my Backyardโ, and so on. Being young, impressionable, and also passionate about the outdoors, I changed big parts of my lifestyle based on what I was learning. This is when I began eating vegetarian (I have since remained a vegetarian or occasionally a pescatarian or vegan). Itโs also when I started to think critically of the waste I created, and my energy consumption among other things. These days I am still learning how to balance quality of life with environmental impact. I feel grateful to be able to afford a large solar system on my small home in Las Vegas that powers my electric car to the local crags, as well as covers our air conditioning needs during the summer. I offset all of my airline travel and donate monthly to rewilding projects (but still, undoubtedly, airline travel is my personal largest impact). I try to consider critically every buying decision and wasting decision that I make. Truly, sustainability permeates nearly all of my choices big or small.
Sadly, no matter how much we change our behaviours and choices as individuals, governmental policy is the best chance at overcoming the environmental challenges we face. Therefore I have and will consistently vote with the environment as my principal concern. I encourage that every person finds their unique path to a more sustainable way of living. Itโs hard to make real change when the results can be quite nebulous, so I think itโs best to start with the low hanging fruit and work your way up to big changes. There are several good sources online to examine your own footprint, and while they can be flawed I think that regardless, it is a great thought exercise and a good place to start.
Lastly, we are all learning - the evolution never stops - including me. I by no means have this entirely sorted out, and every single person no matter how disciplined is not perfect. However, donโt let one tough aspect of your life prevent you from changing a different one!"
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