Sustain Mizzou launches new reading group
The Environmental Reading Group aims to educate, inspire and solve.
Published Aug. 27, 2010
What started out as two friends sharing articles about sustainability is now a group designed for people who want to exchange ideas and readings.
The Environmental Reading Group, a project of Sustain Mizzou, met for the first time Thursday to discuss books, articles and other types of media that involve sustainability.
Sustain Mizzou President Tina Casagrand and group project leader Nick Mustoe said they enjoyed exchanging and discussing articles and books with each other for about two years before deciding it was time for them to share with more people. They said they started the Environmental Reading Group this year so people could come together, share ideas and discuss sustainability in the media, and they hope the group will aid Sustain Mizzou’s goals.
Casagrand said reading something inspirational reenergizes her drive to work toward a goal, and Mustoe said he was excited about how the group could make people more aware of environmental issues.
“The first thing to get people to care about an issue is to make them aware of it,” Mustoe said.
According to Casagrand, her goal for the group was to educate, inspire and solve. At the meeting, the attendees discussed ways to make that happen. They made a list of what they wanted to learn more about, including how big businesses are going green, the history of the American environmental movement and global issues.
Because of busy schedules and class work, the group agreed to read excerpts of books and divide big books into chapters for each meeting. They will alternate who gets to pick the readings for each week and will be prepared to read and discuss the readings for the following week.
One book up for future discussion, "Silent Spring," was instrumental in starting the modern environmental movement. Members also plan to discuss excerpts from "Blessed Unrest" and "Dancing with Mosquitoes," both of which examine human beings’ relationship with the environment.
The group hopes to discuss readings that are educational, inspirational or suggest solutions to environmental concerns. They agree on a need for a good mix between scientific and nonscientific works.
“I’m excited about sharing what I know and being inspired,” Mustoe said.
Sustain Mizzou member Mallory Benedict said she went to the Environmental Reading Group meeting because she wants to share what she reads with others and also think critically.
“I love reading, especially reading things that can be applied to my life," she said.
Discussion was not limited to only books and articles. Group members were encouraged to look at all types of media and ended the meeting with a short online video called “TED Talks.”
The group said they look forward to pushing each other’s boundaries through debate. Casagrand said she believes small groups such as the Environmental Reading Group will lead to closer relationships among people involved with Sustain Mizzou.
The Environmental Reading Group plans to meet weekly at 7 p.m. Thursdays on the second floor of Memorial Union South. Casagrand encourages members to tell their friends and bring more people to the next meeting. “I want to share my ideas,” Casagrand said. “That’s how people learn.”