Sustainability Is Everyone’s Responsibility: A Student’s View on Small Changes That Matter
Emmalee hopes to build a career that helps the environment and leads to meaningful, lasting change. Her time as a seasonal interpretive ranger with Tennessee State Parks set her on the right path toward that goal. While working at Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park, she educated visitors about local wildlife, contributed to the preservation and protection of the park, and witnessed firsthand the power of environmental outreach to shift people's perspectives. The experience reinforced for her the importance of connecting people with nature and showed how a career in environmental studies can play a vital role in developing solutions and promoting sustainable practices on a larger scale. Emmalee is extremely grateful for her time at Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park and is excited for the journey ahead.
Personal Motivation & Values
For Basham, sustainability is about being mindful of how today’s actions affect future generations and all living things.
“Sustainability is acknowledging our shared responsibility of taking care of the earth for all species, not just for ourselves as humans,” she said.
She began prioritizing sustainability after realizing how much waste one person can generate in a year.
“If you take a minute to think about everything that you throw away in a day … that’s a lot of waste and it all has to go somewhere,” Basham said.
Her studies have deepened her understanding of the global consequences of unsustainable living.
“It has shown me the consequences of not living sustainably in real time and the global impact that it will have if we don’t start making some significant changes,” she said.
Everyday Actions
Basham focuses on intentional consumption, second-hand shopping, and reusable items.
“I started to become very intentional with the things that I bought … I also shop second hand when I can,” she said. “The small changes that you make every day may not seem like a lot, but they really add up in the long run.”
Simple changes like turning off lights, using reusable items and reducing waste can make a difference—and save money.
“It also cuts down on utility costs, and we all as college students know that it never hurts to save money wherever you can,” Basham said.
Cross-Disciplinary Connection
She believes sustainability is a shared responsibility because of the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and economic systems.
“Environmental issues do not exist within a bubble … it takes a combined effort across many disciplines to see a big change,” she said.
Inspiration & Impact
Her peers motivate her to keep pushing forward despite the challenges.
“Despite all of these challenges, we are here, and we are showing up to make a difference,” Basham said. “It is because of people like them I am inspired to keep advocating for the environment.”
Basham says sustainability doesn’t have to be expensive or overwhelming—small steps matter.
“The goal of sustainability isn’t to be perfect. It’s about becoming aware, taking initiative and making progress,” she said.
She encourages students to educate themselves on environmental issues and make conscious choices.
“By understanding the severity of these issues, everyone can make more informed choices,” Basham said.
Looking Ahead
As Emmalee stated earlier, her hope is to help the environment and do meaningful work that leads to real change when she graduates from Tennessee Tech in December.
In the future, Basham wants to start her own compost and create Eco bricks to repurpose waste.
“I hope to repurpose the plastic and food waste that I create every day into something useful,” she said.
Every small step counts—and perfection isn’t the goal.
“If every person made an effort to implement one sustainable habit into their routine, we would see the positive impact it has on our environment,” she said.
Through mindful choices and everyday changes, Basham believes that sustainability is a collective responsibility—and one we’re all capable of contributing to.