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The Hoop and the Tree
Sustainability |
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Through Sustainability What is Sustainability? "Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."-- Brundtland Commission Report Sustainability means living within the carrying capacity of the earth. Sustainability is a call to expand consciousness. Contents: Two drivers for sustainability:
The demand curve
for
resources is rising, due to
rising population, multiplied by rising expectations about consumption and
upward mobility.
Here's what's driving demand: World population 6+ billion, and growing:
At the same time,
the supply curve of resource
availability is falling (e.g.
diminished croplands, wetlands, ozone layer, groundwater, forests, fisheries, fossil fuels,
etc.
Example - Species Extinction:
Facts on
Resource Supply Curve United
Nations Millennium Ecosystem Assessment
Click here to print the above image as a poster.
B. Possible Futures |
 | Includes
the needs of the world’s poor |
| Includes
the needs of every living species without placing human needs above others |
| Recognizes
limits on the environment’s ability to meet needs, given current
technology and society |
| Includes
restoration, as much as possible |
| What
sort of world do we want for our children and grandchildren? |
| If
our mode of living is unsustainable, we will be leaving them in worse shape. |
| Ensure
extraction efficiency |
| Eliminate
pollution |
| Prevent
degradation of the natural world |
| Ensure
social justice |
What Can I Do?
“It is not necessary to change. Survival is not mandatory.”
- W. Edwards Deming
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Educate yourself about sustainability. |
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“What action can I take today to move toward sustainability?” |
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At work, ask people who report to you: |
More
Specifically…
Create, redesign, and/or support practices at home and at work that, for the same or better results…
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use less energy |
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use fewer resources |
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reuse or recycle resources; or use renewable resources that have been sustainably harvested |
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produce fewer toxic substances |
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synergize, as in nature: the waste of one process becomes a productive input for another process |
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are human, worthy, dignified, and intrinsically satisfying |
This
principle is the same wisdom that is reflected in the great law of the Iroquois
Confederacy: “In each
deliberation, we must consider the impact on the seventh generation from now.” The United States adopted many aspects of its Constitution
from Iroquois wisdom. Perhaps
it’s time for a Seventh
Generation Amendment to the Constitution.
Ways
to Take Action
There
is a wealth of information on the internet about sustainability and practical
steps you can take right away. See SUSTAINABILITY
on LINKS page for a starter list.
Is
the Future Possible?
Only
through Sustainability
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Web resources: see SUSTAINABILITY on LINKS page. |
Brown,
Lester R. (2006). Plan B 2.0:
Rescuing a planet under stress and a civilization in trouble.
New York: W. W. Norton. www.earthpolicy.org
Diamond,
Jared. (2005). Collapse: How societies choose to fail or succeed. New
York: Viking.
Esty,
Daniel C. & Winston, Andrew S. (2006). Green to gold: How smart companies
use environmental strategy to innovate, create value, and build competitive
advantage. New Haven: Yale U. Press.
Hart,
Stuart L. (2005) Capitalism at the crossroads: The unlimited business
opportunities in solving the world's most difficult problems. Upper
Saddle River, NJ: Wharton School Publishing.
Henson,
Robert. (2006). The rough guide to climate change. London: Rough Guides.
Willard,
Bob. (2002). The sustainability advantage: Seven business case benefits of a
triple bottom line. Gabriola Island, BC: New Society Publishers.
Copyright © 2007 Chris Hoffman
