Basic Concepts
Is not a commodity that can be produced or consumed
What is Sustainability
Supply affordable resources
What is economic sustainability
Is it the right thing to do?
What is one of the big 3 "Whys" of a sustainability intitiative
an observable law relating to natural phenomena
what is a law of nature
perhaps the most widely used framework for understanding sustainability1, is a framework that breaks sustainability into three pillars: Environmental, Economic, and Social
what is the "triple bottom line"
creates and maintains the conditions under which humans and nature coexist in a manner that fulfills the social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations
What is Sustainability
Keep environmental impacts as low as reasonably possible
What is Environmental Sustainability
Ask why
What is best practice to justify a sustainability project
two examples of tools developed from the principles of Sustainability
What are environemental management systems nad life cycle analyses
offer initial guidance, support good choices that take people in the right direction, and give parameters for mid-course corrections
What are principles of sustainability
social, environmental, and economic – as symbolized by the summit motto “People, Planet, Prosperity
What are the three pillars of Sustainability
Ensure awareness and education
What is societal (or environmental) sustainability
Risk avoidance
What is one of the Ultimate 10 "Whys" to do a sustainability initiative
Laws of nature > sustainability frameworks > principles of sustainability > tools, standards & certifications
What is a hierarchy to the development of sustainability principles and tools that can be used/practice in the real world
These principles form the foundation upon which more specific principles and standards can be formed
what are foundational princples
development that meets human development goals while maintaining the ability of natural systems to continue to provide the natural resources and ecosystem services upon which the economy and society depend
What is Sustainable Development
ØRemediate environmental damage as appropriate
What is environmental sustainability
It’s the right thing to do if aligned with the organization’s purpose and values
there is value in nature
What is a (sustainability) law of nature
Often grounded in higher level principles, these help public and private—both for-profit and nonprofit enterprises—build tailored sustainability strategies
What are principles for organizations
Climate Action
What is one of the 17 Goals of Sustainable Development
Provide life cycle assessment tool kits
What is a role of technology in achieving the three pillars of sustainability
Water Neutrality
What is an example of a sustainable practice
They describe our relationship with the (sustainability) laws of nature, translates them into actions, and provides a shared language for communicating (about these understandings and actions
What are sustainability frameworks
Industrial Ecology
What is an example of one principle of production