Seven Generations
“In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations.”
I’ve long been drawn to this Iroquois saying, but it has particularly resonated with me since the birth of my son earlier this year. What type of world am I leaving to him? To his children? To the generations of children after them?
Like many households, we try to minimize our environmental impact. We recycle, we often walk instead of driving, we bring our own bags to the grocery store. Still, those efforts can sometimes seem insignificant in light of news coverage about climate change and other environmental ills. It’s all too easy to become discouraged.
A growing number of USF alums know better. They know their efforts can make a difference today and well into the future, and they know there’s no one way to address the environmental challenges we face. Each of the alums profiled in our cover story has carved out his or her niche “green” career. One woman helps restore tidal wetlands around San Francisco Bay. Another inspects gas stations for leaks that contribute to air pollution. An entrepreneurial alumnus organizes monthly networking events for greenrelated businesses. Still others have found their place by encouraging recycling, bringing local produce to low-income families, and documenting environmental injustices.
All believe that environmentalism is a social movement whose time is now, and many credit USF for furthering their commitment to the environment. For its part, the university has also implemented various eco-friendly initiatives, including installing solar panels, serving to-go food on 100 percent compostable dinnerware, and offering environmentrelated courses across disciplines. I am heartened to learn that the USF community at large is having such a positive impact on our environment.
As the new editor of USF Magazine, I plan to continue bringing you these types of stories—stories that tell the important work of the university, whatever the topic may be. Although this is my inaugural issue as editor, I am no stranger to USF or to this publication—before taking over this summer, I wrote about the university extensively as the editor of USF News and contributed articles to the magazine, as well.
One of my greatest pleasures as a writer and editor has always been hearing from readers like you. I hope you’ll take a moment to introduce yourself, to let me know what you like about the magazine — and what you’d like to see. And if you’re as inspired as I was by the alums you’ll meet in our cover story, inspired to consider the impact we all have on the next seven generations, I’d love to hear that, too.
Samantha Bronson
Editor, USF Magazine
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