SustainabilitySustainability

““Green Technology”Green Technology”

What is Sustainability?What is Sustainability?

►Everybody seems to have an idea of Everybody seems to have an idea of what it means. Before we define it, what it means. Before we define it, let’s look at what it includes:let’s look at what it includes: Sustainability is about the future,Sustainability is about the future, Taking responsibility for our actions,Taking responsibility for our actions, Sustainability is about the Environment,Sustainability is about the Environment, We are responsible to Nature,We are responsible to Nature,

►Operating within the limits imposed by our Operating within the limits imposed by our environment,environment,

SustainabilitySustainability

►So the definition of “Sustainability” is:So the definition of “Sustainability” is: ""meeting the needs of the present meeting the needs of the present

without compromising the ability of without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own future generations to meet their own needs.needs." "

Know as the "Brundtland definition“, from Know as the "Brundtland definition“, from the the 1987 Report of the World the the 1987 Report of the World Commission on Environment and Commission on Environment and Development,Development,

Demand on resourcesDemand on resources

►A thought to ponder……..A thought to ponder…….. On the eve of Indian independence, On the eve of Indian independence,

Mahatma Gandhi was interviewed by a Mahatma Gandhi was interviewed by a British journalist, who asked him whether British journalist, who asked him whether independent India could follow the British independent India could follow the British model of industrial development.model of industrial development.

Gandhi responded:Gandhi responded:►““It took Britain half the planet’s resources to It took Britain half the planet’s resources to

achieve its level of prosperity. How many achieve its level of prosperity. How many planets would India require for its planets would India require for its development?”,development?”,

““Factor 10”- Resource Factor 10”- Resource DemandDemand

► Scientists have developed a formula that Scientists have developed a formula that projects the impact of future populations on projects the impact of future populations on the world’s resources. It is titled “Factor the world’s resources. It is titled “Factor 10”.10”. The Population is expected to double before it The Population is expected to double before it

levels off- “Factor 2”,levels off- “Factor 2”, If everybody in the world aspires to the American If everybody in the world aspires to the American

standard of living, the rate of resource standard of living, the rate of resource consumption would have to quintuple. “Factor 5”,consumption would have to quintuple. “Factor 5”,

► So the formula to determine “Factor 10” is So the formula to determine “Factor 10” is 2 x 5 = 102 x 5 = 10

► Thus one would expect a ten-fold increase in Thus one would expect a ten-fold increase in demand for resources demand for resources

““Ecosystems”Ecosystems”

►For natural ecosystems, “Sustainability” For natural ecosystems, “Sustainability” can be defined as the “carrying can be defined as the “carrying capacity”,capacity”, That is, the amount of use that can be That is, the amount of use that can be

sustained over time without degradation of sustained over time without degradation of the system,the system,

►A typical example,A typical example, A 100-acre pasture can sustain no more A 100-acre pasture can sustain no more

than about 80 dairy cows. More cows than about 80 dairy cows. More cows would consume grass at a rate faster than would consume grass at a rate faster than soil can regenerate it by natural growth.soil can regenerate it by natural growth.

The Rio DeclarationThe Rio Declaration

► In June 1992, the United Nations convened In June 1992, the United Nations convened the “Earth Summit” in Rio de Janerio, Brazil. the “Earth Summit” in Rio de Janerio, Brazil. More than 118 countries participated to More than 118 countries participated to consider sustainable development and what consider sustainable development and what it meant for them and the planet.it meant for them and the planet. Out of the event came a declaration. The so-Out of the event came a declaration. The so-

called “Rio Declaration” consists of a preamble called “Rio Declaration” consists of a preamble and 27 articles.and 27 articles.

The event demonstrated that the only way to The event demonstrated that the only way to achieve long-term economic and social progress achieve long-term economic and social progress is to link it with environmental protection.is to link it with environmental protection.

““Sustainable Development”Sustainable Development”

► Sustainable Development can mean different things Sustainable Development can mean different things to different people or industries. The following to different people or industries. The following elements are regarded as essential by most elements are regarded as essential by most scientists:scientists: Systems view- (Must use an integrative approach),Systems view- (Must use an integrative approach), Environmental needs must coexist with social welfare, and Environmental needs must coexist with social welfare, and

the economy,the economy, Use of planetary resources at a rate below regeneration,Use of planetary resources at a rate below regeneration, Local production if possible,Local production if possible, Long-term view,Long-term view, Obligation to future generations,Obligation to future generations, Social equity,Social equity, Recognition of limits,Recognition of limits, Precautionary approach,Precautionary approach, Respect of biological and cultural diversity,Respect of biological and cultural diversity,

StakeholdersStakeholders

► A stakeholder is any person, or organization A stakeholder is any person, or organization who has a vested interest in a certain who has a vested interest in a certain activity.activity. Examples of stakeholders,Examples of stakeholders,

►Management, because running the company is their Management, because running the company is their job,job,

►Employees, this is their income and occupation,Employees, this is their income and occupation,►Shareholders, they are the owners,Shareholders, they are the owners,►Customers, they buy the product produced,Customers, they buy the product produced,►Suppliers, they need to insure the products they sell are Suppliers, they need to insure the products they sell are

high quality,high quality,►Local residents, they may be affected by any pollution,Local residents, they may be affected by any pollution,

ObstaclesObstacles► There is no significant technical obstacle to achieve There is no significant technical obstacle to achieve

Sustainability. Yet, current efforts are difficult, and many Sustainability. Yet, current efforts are difficult, and many have failed for a variety of reasons.have failed for a variety of reasons. AffluenceAffluence

► Consumption in the wealthiest nations is grossly unsustainable. Consumption in the wealthiest nations is grossly unsustainable. Improved energy and material efficiency is needed. A energy Improved energy and material efficiency is needed. A energy conservation paradigm shift is needed.conservation paradigm shift is needed.

ApathyApathy► To many established groups a major change is threatening to them. To many established groups a major change is threatening to them.

The lack of an obvious crisis makes it hard for many to take notice.The lack of an obvious crisis makes it hard for many to take notice. Insufficient priorityInsufficient priority

► In many Third World countries, social and economic priorities most In many Third World countries, social and economic priorities most often trump environmental considerations.often trump environmental considerations.

Lack of Public AwarenessLack of Public Awareness► Individuals fail to engage in sustainable practices through their Individuals fail to engage in sustainable practices through their

everyday choices for simple lack of knowledge. Example…….everyday choices for simple lack of knowledge. Example……. A bumper sticker that extols the virtue of recycling on the back of a gas-A bumper sticker that extols the virtue of recycling on the back of a gas-

guzzling SUV.guzzling SUV.

ObstaclesObstacles

► Lack of corporate awarenessLack of corporate awareness Many sustainable technologies exist but companies Many sustainable technologies exist but companies

tend to prefer business as usual for fear of the tend to prefer business as usual for fear of the unknown.unknown.

► UncertaintiesUncertainties A paradigm shift entails risk, environmental indicators A paradigm shift entails risk, environmental indicators

have large error bars and the future of their impact is have large error bars and the future of their impact is uncertain.uncertain.

► RegulationsRegulations A number of existing regulations force businesses to A number of existing regulations force businesses to

act a certain way and discourage sustainable act a certain way and discourage sustainable innovation.innovation.

Carbon FootprintCarbon Footprint

►A A carbon footprintcarbon footprint is a measure of is a measure of the impact our activities have on the the impact our activities have on the environment, and in particular climate environment, and in particular climate change. change. It relates to the amount of greenhouse It relates to the amount of greenhouse

gases produced in our day-to-day lives gases produced in our day-to-day lives through burning fossil fuels for electricity, through burning fossil fuels for electricity, heating and transportation etc. heating and transportation etc.

Carbon FootprintCarbon Footprint

► A carbon footprint is made up of the sum of two A carbon footprint is made up of the sum of two parts,parts, The primary footprint,The primary footprint, The secondary footprint,The secondary footprint,

► Primary Footprint,Primary Footprint, Measures the direct emissions of CO2 from emissions of Measures the direct emissions of CO2 from emissions of

CO2 from the burning of fossil fuels including domestic CO2 from the burning of fossil fuels including domestic energy consumption and transportation (e.g. car and energy consumption and transportation (e.g. car and plane). plane). ► We have direct control of these. We have direct control of these.

► Secondary Footprint,Secondary Footprint, Measures indirect CO2 emissions from the whole lifecycle Measures indirect CO2 emissions from the whole lifecycle

of products we use - those associated with their of products we use - those associated with their manufacture and eventual breakdown. manufacture and eventual breakdown. ► To put it very simply – the more we buy the more emissions To put it very simply – the more we buy the more emissions

will be caused on our behalf. will be caused on our behalf.

Assignment 1Assignment 1

Using the link below visit the Carbon Using the link below visit the Carbon Footprint website and calculate your Footprint website and calculate your families carbon footprint.families carbon footprint.

When completed print the page that When completed print the page that shows your final calculations.shows your final calculations.►http://www.nature.org/initiatives/climatechang

e/calculator/

Assignment 2Assignment 2

►Think, Pair, ShareThink, Pair, Share After calculating your carbon footprint:After calculating your carbon footprint:

►List five ways that you could reduce the List five ways that you could reduce the carbon footprint that you just calculated.carbon footprint that you just calculated.

Example, turn off lights when not in rooms, to Example, turn off lights when not in rooms, to reduce the electric bill.reduce the electric bill.

►Pair off with a partner, and discuss the ways Pair off with a partner, and discuss the ways you listed.you listed.

As a team determine the top two ways that you As a team determine the top two ways that you could reduce your carbon footprint.could reduce your carbon footprint.

►As a team, report out you top two to the rest As a team, report out you top two to the rest of the class.of the class.