By Fredric Gluck

How can you learn about sustainable practices and help encourage your city to adopt policies that lessen its environmental impact? By participating in a study circle on The Natural Step (TNS) framework for sustainability.

Study circles work to bring together citizens and leaders who are interested in and concerned about the future of their community and the environment it is in. The study circles encourage learning, discussion and sharing about creating and fostering an environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable community.

Nine informal meetings make up the study circles – the core of TNS Monona’s education offerings. Study circles are built around a curriculum that helps participants understand how to put four sustainability conditions at the center of community development and community life. Thinking about and discussing how to apply those conditions to topics such as energy, transportation, housing, building and biodiversity are some of the ways the study circles focus on addressing and understanding local problems and local sustainability challenges. With this local focus and knowledge, participants in study circles become better informed and educated about sustainability issues while they get connected to their neighbors who care about the same issues.

I was in a circle that wrapped up in August. The best experience I had with the circle was the “hyper-local” focus of the group and the topics we discussed. Not only was I participating in the group with people who lived in and shared the Monona experience with me, but the things we talked about were subjects that applied to the city I lived in. It was great to take worldwide concepts like sustainability and transportation and be able to understand them in ways that can be applied to Monona.

We had some good discussions and learning in the study circle. We didn’t always agree about all the issues we discussed, but in the spirit of learning, we all seemed to respect each other’s views.

I’d say that the challenge that we have now is to take what we learned and find ways to put it into action. It’s one thing to get a lot of head knowledge about living a life that is kinder to the environment. It’s another thing to put it into practice. This is going to involve growing a “green attitude” in city government and in the citizens of Monona, as well as working to refocus the short- and long-term policies used to plan Monona’s future.

You can help grow that “green attitude” and help our community by joining a circle. The next circles will start the fourth week of September. You can sign up by going to www.tnsmonona.org and following the links at the Education/Study Circle tab.

Here are a few words from some of my circle mates.

“I really appreciated getting to meet other people with similar interests and concerns. Before this I felt really isolated.” – Barbara Walden

“I loved the diversity of my study circle group. We shared views, perspectives and experiences that tremendously enriched our discussions and filled in gaps in our knowledge. Represented among us were sharp active people with city and rural experience, a high school student, a college student, employed people, retired people, volunteers, a widow, married and single people.” – Karen Upper

“The most valuable thing I got from the study circle is learning from other’s perspectives. I have learned so much! I have also learned the value of letting people educate themselves, so they can create their own visions and initiate their own action.” – Justin Bloesch

“It was inspiring to read about the efforts and the tools available for planning, implementing, and measuring progress. Discussions were thought-provoking, energizing, and fun. The people in my group were great sharers and listeners, had been involved with a wide variety of sustainability initiatives, and helped me envision so many more possibilities for action than I had seen coming into the group. I can easily imagine us fellow travelers following and cheering on each other’s efforts even after our circle formally disbands.” – Sue Vogt