By Jam Rounds, freshman, Grace Holistic Center for Education
Here is an interview on the importance of being green:
Q: Let’s start with the basics: What’s your name and what do you do?
A: My name’s Astra Felix and I’m an organic farmer. I started the farmers market here in (Yorkville), and I have a natural candle and soap business! I teach sustainability, as well.
Q: What is your goal as a sustainability teacher?
A: To really change the way people think I guess! Especially children that had been brought up in this new disposable society. Teach them to think twice, as well as how to live and do.
Q: What does it mean to be green?
A: Just to think twice every time you throw something away, or when you’re using chemicals to clean your house, for example. Thinking about what you put down your sinks and where its going, not littering. Trying not to eat packaged and processed things. Turning off the lights, LED (light-emitting diode) lightbulbs. Helping clean up.
Q: How can we, as a society, benefit from a healthier, sustainable, and environmentally-friendly lifestyle?
A: To start, we’ll live longer. People are getting sicker nowadays. We could benefit with our own health and happiness. Breathing clean air, drinking clean water. Our health would be definitely be number one!
Q: The Illinois Green Ribbon program often advocates for its three pillars: Reducing environmental impact and costs, improving the health and wellness of schools, students, and staff, and providing environmental education. How do you implement these fundamentals into your teachings at GHCFE (Grace Holistic Center for Education)?
A: Well, our school has made green products. We showed you how to make your own cleaning products. We went out and cleaned the forest, just cleaning the environment around our school. We did a sustainability project about using resources we have from our own property, education on earth ships and off-grid living.
Q: What are little changes we can make in our lifestyles that have a big impact on our Earth?
A: Shopping locally! Importing other foods takes trucks for transportation and gasoline isn’t healthy for the Earth. Reusing plastic, trying to use non-disposables,
Q: Is it hard to commit to a greener way of life for you? Do you find it rewarding?
A: It’s not hard at all! I have guilt otherwise! I find it rewarding and I enjoy my children learning that way, as well as my students. Definitely rewarding.
Q: How can I encourage those around me to be green?
A: Being a positive role model yourself. Showing others is always the best way.
Q: What’s the most important life skill regarding sustainability?
A: I think cooking is pretty important. Lots of people eat out, it’s expensive, and not good for one’s health. Another thing would be learning to grow your own food. Anything you grow yourself is going to be fresher than in the store and have more nutrients. Growing, cooking, and canning for someone who wants to take care of themselves. We grow our own food at school and serve it as well for organic lunches.
Q: To end this interview, what is one thing you’d like someone to take away from this interview?
A: Simply awareness on eco-friendliness!