The issue of sustainability was the hot topic at a forum at Coastal Carolina University Friday, but the discussion went beyond "reduce, reuse, recycle." It also included topics on job growth and literacy as they relate to sustaining the community.
Going green is a movement that's steadily gaining more and more attention. The message is simple - preserve our resources now so they will be here tomorrow.
Marissa Mitzner, Sustainability Coordinator with Coastal says going green is a simple lifestyle change. "Small things such as unplugging and turning off water really does make a difference. I really hate when people tell me one person can't make a difference because they can and a group together can make a change and that's what we have to do," Mitzner told NewsChannel 15.
At the regional forum, the scope of sustainability expanded to broader topics like social equity. Leaders say improving public transportation and lessening the achievement gap in schools is crucial. They pointed to things like mentoring to combat low literacy which is high in our area. Officials say it affects about a third of the population in Horry and Georgetown counties.
"Spend at least one hour a week with that child, it's been shown and proven that that one hour will put that child's life into stability," says Sam Cook with Carolina Human Reinvestment.
In addition to improving education, leaders say keeping our students in-state once they graduate will improve the workforce. "We expect those kids to come out and get a job. But they have no way to come back here and work because there are no jobs we don't have the industry here so we lose the people we've already invested in in the beginning," adds Cook.
Leaders say everyone needs to work together to bring change.
Environmental leaders are pushing for state mandated recycling, which they say will not only help reduce waste but it will also create jobs by attracting major companies - which in the end will improve quality of life for everyone.
