Title: Sustainability:
1Sustainability
2Brundtland Commission, formally the UN World
Commission on Environment and Development (WCED),
1983
- sustainable development defined as development
that "meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to
meet their own needs. - Implicitly argues for the rights of future
generations to raw materials and vital ecosystem
services to be taken into account in decision
making.
3 (With our current systems, in 7 generations, will
our childrens children inherit an equal or
better planet and place to live as we have today?)
4Common Systems to Explain Sustainability
- Cradle to Cradle
- Triple Bottom Line
- Natural Step Framework
- LEED
- Food Miles
5Cradle to CradleRemaking the Way We Make Things
- Authors argue that the conflict between industry
and the environment is not an indictment of
commerce but an outgrowth of purely opportunistic
design. The design of products and manufacturing
systems growing out of the Industrial Revolution
reflected the spirit of the day-and yielded a
host of unintended yet tragic consequences.
By William McDonough Michael Braungart North
Point Press, 2002
6Cradle to Cradle (cont.)
- Today, with our growing knowledge of the living
earth, design can reflect a new spirit. In fact,
when designers employ the intelligence of natural
systemsthe effectiveness of nutrient cycling,
the abundance of the sun's energythey can create
products, industrial systems, buildings, even
regional plans that allow nature and commerce to
fruitfully co-exist. - Regenerative
- Waste Food
7Triple Bottom Line
- People
- pertains to fair and beneficial business
practices toward labor, the community, and region
in which a corporation conducts its business - Planet
- refers to sustainable environmental practices
- Profit
- economic value created by the organization after
deducting the cost of all inputs, including the
cost of the capital tied up
a method of evaluating corporate performance by
measuring profits as well as environmental
sustainability and social responsibility
8Background on Triple Bottom Line
- The phrase was coined by John Elkington in 1994.
- It was later expanded and articulated in his 1998
book Cannibals with Forks the Triple Bottom Line
of 21st Century Business
9Natural Step Framework
- A Systems Approach - derived from the laws of
thermodynamics - A comprehensive model for planning in complex
systems - System conditions are significant in that they
are scientifically-based, but readily
understandable, principles for sustainability - It is openly published and free for all to use
10History of Natural Step Framework
- Started in 1989 by Karl-Henrik Robèrt, (born
1947) - M.D., Ph.D., is one of Sweden's leading
cancer scientists - Cancer research (damaged cells) led to
environmental concerns - Since the late 19th Century, humans have been
"disrupting the cyclical processes of nature at
an accelerating pace - Linear processes of modern society all linear
processes must eventually come to an end," -to
save ourselves, would be to restore the cyclical
processes of nature
11Natural Step Framework
- Eco-Municipalities
- Key to success is a democratic "bottom-up" change
process, and - Clear guiding sustainability principles such as
the Natural Step framework
12LEED Leadership in Energy Environmental Design
?? Certified 26-32 ?? Silver 33-38 ?? Gold
39-51 ?? Platinum 52-69
- ?? Sustainable Sites (14)
- ?? Water Efficiency (5)
- ?? Energy Atmosphere (17)
- ?? Materials Resources (13)
- ?? Environmental Quality (15)
- ?? Innovation in Design (5)
- TOTAL (69)
- US Green Building Council (USGBC)
13Examples Industry
- Nike
- world's leading manufacturer of athletic shoes,
apparel and equipment - Electrolux
- world's largest manufacturer of
household/commercial appliances US brands
include Frigidaire, Eureka, and Kenmore - IKEA
- Swedish home furnishings retailer
- Interface
- world's largest producer of commercial floor
coverings
14 Sustainability Guide Plan
Example CommunitiesCity of Burnsville
14 Best Practice Areas (BPA)
Burnsville
15Example Community PlanningCity of Burnsville
Best Practice Areas (BPAs)
- Environ. Preferable Purchasing
- Product Stewardship
- Greenhouse Gas Reduction
- Sustain. Land Use
- Sustain. Transportation
- Renewable Energy
- Energy Efficiency
- Sustain. Buildings
- Community Health
- Recycling and Wast Mgmt
- Health Urban Forests
- Sustain. Education
- Surface/Ground Water
- Innovative Opportunities
16GHGs / Energy Use
17Who Should/Will Tackle The Challenge
- Grassroots
- Rotary - Cross Section of our Community
- We are the Community, Leaders
- Business, Government, etc.