It’s rare that people actually ask you why you’re interested in sustainability. Probably, it’s because the answer seems blindingly obvious - to help avert future doom and gloom. While that’s almost certainly the real, fundamental answer, when it comes to the day to day motivation behind my work, there’s more to it.

One of the most fascinating aspects of sustainability for me is the sheer scope of the problem, encompassing nearly every aspect of civilization and the natural world beyond it. There is never a simple answer to any question. Any problem might have a hundred solutions; and often, any solution has a hundred problems. Counter-intuitive facts abound, forcing you to re-evaluate what were once touchstones. Looking at things from a different perspective often brings fresh insights, for better or for worse.

Can walking really be worse for the environment than driving a car if you eat a lot of meat? Can mercury-filled compact fluorescents really reduce net mercury emissions? Can trains really have a greater footprint than airplanes? Can planting trees really promote global warming? Can nuclear power really reduce the amount of radioactive material in the environment? Can eating local really produce more greenhouse gases than importing food? The answer to all of these is a resounding “maybe.” Or, “it depends.”

In short, I can’t imagine a more intellectually stimulating field to work in. Building a sustainable future is, without doubt, the most complicated challenge humanity has ever faced.

That’s a big statement. But just try and deny it.