Ted Langton Sr. wrote in his Jan. 22 letter that he believed the goals of sustainability movements to be effective only if attained globally. I respectfully disagree with Mr. Langton.

I have seen small steps toward a larger goal to be most effective way of problem solving. Margaret Mead once said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

At the final Corvallis Sustainability Coalition Town Hall Meeting in October, the goal that earned the highest majority in the keypad polling was "Integrating sustainability concepts into local school curricula and facilities," earning an enormous 70 percent of votes. This, to me, was the most promising vote of the meeting. No goals can be attained without having optimism for the present as well as the future. Education is one small step in achieving global change.

The definition of sustainability is meeting current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Moving toward a sustainable world, let alone a sustainable Corvallis, will not involve indoctrination nor threaten individual freedoms. As the future generation myself, I am inspired by the visions of my peers and fellow citizens to be that change.

I invite Mr. Langton to be equally inspired by the work of my peers. In my Advanced Placement Environmental Science class at Crescent Valley High School, groups are working on various community sustainability projects. Thanks to the activism of my peers and passion of our teacher, Mrs. Peg Cornell, we are achieving small, attainable steps that will add up to fantastic positive environmental changes. Look on Mrs. Cornell's Web site at www2.corvallis.k12.or.us/cvhs for more information.

Kelsey Ward is a Corvallis resident.