Why we need ecology
So what is “ecology” anyway? Besides a word we use in rhetoric to sound smarter, or a buzzword enmeshed in “green washing,” simply put, ecology is the study of interactions. Adopting an “ecological view” allows us to come to a higher understanding of these interactions, through the culmination of interdisciplinary knowledge and study. Ecological study is like asking the classic question, “if you could have dinner with anyone past or present, who would it be?” Ecology invites a bunch of different disciplines to the dinner table, all with a unique perspective and base of knowledge. If you were asked to solve a complex problem you wouldn’t simply ask one professional, or look at the issue from one perspective. You would look at the problem from a variety of perspectives, taking into account all relevant dimensions.
Lets take my “Ecology of the School Cafeteria” for example. In order to understand the inner workings of this dynamic space we have to ask a wide variety of questions. We have to ask questions regarding agriculture: how are we getting/growing the food we are serving to students? Questions regarding finance: why is the budget for school lunch what it is? Questions regarding social development: who is sitting with whom and how are they interacting with one another? I could go on and on as ecological study is practically endless.
Then we ask questions as to how the different “branches” of the “Ecology of the school cafeteria” are related. For example, how does the lunch budget affect the agricultural ways in which we are growing our food? How does cafeteria’s endorsement of industrialized agriculture affect student’s relationship towards food? How does the act of buying school lunch create a visible socioeconomic division between students? An ecological perspective reminds us that nothing exists within a vacuum; everything is interconnected.
After investigating and analyzing the school cafeteria from an ecological perspective, we can design the space for optimal sustainability. An environment that is socially sustainable optimizes social capital between organisms. In order to increase social capital in the school cafeteria, we have to implement strategies (whether they be long tables where everyone sits, tables in which everyone faces outwards, or assigned seats) that create an inclusive environment in which the student body is not divided based on race, ethnicity, gender, or the bizarre adolescent hierarchy of popularity.
Public school should be a haven for students from their sometimes-strenuous home lives. However, the school cafeteria continues to be yet another example of economically disadvantaged people not adequately being served by our government. The current New York City public school lunch is priced at a dollar and seventy-five cents. $1.75 for a whole meal in 2015? That seems unheard of. After taking a bite of this meal, one can easily see why it costs so little to produce. Our school lunch program is supporting unsustainable industrialized agriculture, and creating a perverse relationship between student and food. Millions of children across the country depend on these free or discounted meals; delicious and healthy food should not be a luxury for the poor and a staple of the rich. The “Ecology of School Cafeterias” will seek out economically viable options for sustainably grown, good quality food for students. This could be seen in the form of a school run community garden, sponsored membership in Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) program and donations of fresh produce from more well-to-do parents, etc.
Michelle Obama has tried her hand at improving public school lunches through her “Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act.” However, her efforts have solely revolved around nutritional food standards. As we can see from the “Ecology of School Cafeterias,” the issues that exist within this space are complex and multidimensional. I would urge policy makers to adopt an ecological viewpoint when trying to solve such problems. While the mantra of the school cafeteria is, “you can’t sit with us;” I believe the only way to combat this complex problem is to invite our ecological dinner party to the lunchroom table.
— Camilla Petronio