"Sustainability IRL"

Written by RJ Baney, 2026 Spring Intern for The Sustainability Alliance

I used to think sustainability was a checklist, and no matter how many boxes I checked, it never felt like enough.

I always felt like there was something more I should be doing, buying differently, or fixing faster. Now, as a student heading into my last semester and an intern, I’m realizing it shows up in much quieter, more ordinary ways. Of course, sustainability needs to exist on a much larger scale. It can’t be just an afterthought or a reaction. It needs to be carefully considered from the beginning and woven into how we plan, build, and live on this planet. So how do we get there? How do we turn something that feels impossible into something real? It begins with intention, with small everyday habits that build over time. Sustainability needs a bottom-up approach, one rooted in daily choices, shared responsibility, and community. It doesn’t have to be big, perfect, or drastic. For many, including myself, sustainability is an imperfect practice. And that's OK.

Sustainability in real life, in real time, means balancing what we care about with what's realistic, affordable, and accessible — especially while renting, working, and juggling school. Life is busy, chaotic, and messy, but sustainability can still fit within all those realities. It lives in awareness, effort, and the small choices we make when we can. 

One thing I’ve learned is that sustainability isn’t just about changing habits or doing everything right. It's about learning how to take care of what already exists: Our spaces, our resources, our connections, our communities, and each other. It’s changing the filter before something breaks, cooking one more meal at home, borrowing instead of buying, carpooling with friends or neighbors, and showing up in your community.

I’ve also learned that sustainability looks different depending on where you are in life. Many young people aren't able to own homes, or are in positions of power to shape policy, or influence the systems already in place. But we do notice inefficiencies. We feel the impacts firsthand, and we have to carry those consequences with us. That lived experience shapes how we engage with sustainability, not as something abstract, but as something personal. It brings us back to the idea that sustainability isn’t a checklist to complete, but a practice we return to again, in ordinary moments, doing what we can with what we have. 

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Introducing RJ: Our New Intern

rj@thesustainabilityalliance.org

We are excited to welcome RJ, our new intern for the spring practicum at The Sustainability Alliance! A senior at Northeastern State University majoring in Advocacy and Justice Studies, RJ focuses on environmental advocacy and brings a strong interest in sustainability and conservation.

Growing up in Tulsa and a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School, RJ is passionate about local environmental initiatives. His studies at NSU have covered biodiversity, environmental change, and community engagement, reinforcing his commitment to a sustainable future.

RJ is particularly focused on urban sustainability and how organizations can adapt to create resilient, community-oriented solutions. During his practicum, he aims to gain hands-on experience in event coordination and member engagement with our network.

We look forward to RJ’s contributions to our team, including monthly newsletter segments, "Future Forward: Next Gen Perspectives". Please join us in welcoming RJ to The Sustainability Alliance!