Sustainability:

1. Sustainability: What is it?

2. “Brundtland Commission,” formally the UN World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED), 1983 • sustainable developmentdefined 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. Is there a problem? (With our current systems, in 7 generations, will our children’s children… inherit an equal or better planet and place to live as we have today?)

4. Common Systems to Explain Sustainability • Cradle to Cradle • Triple Bottom Line • Natural Step Framework • LEED • Food Miles

5. Cradle to Cradle:Remaking 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

6. Cradle 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 systems—the effectiveness of nutrient cycling, the abundance of the sun's energy—they can create products, industrial systems, buildings, even regional plans that allow nature and commerce to fruitfully co-exist. • “Regenerative” • Waste = Food

7. Triple 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

8. Background 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

9. Natural 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

10. History 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

11. Natural 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

12. LEED = Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design 􀂃 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) 􀂃 Certified 26-32 􀂃 Silver 33-38 􀂃 Gold 39-51 􀂃 Platinum 52-69

13. Examples: 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

15. Sustain. Buildings Community Health Recycling and Wast Mgmt Health Urban Forests Sustain. Education Surface/Ground Water Innovative Opportunities Environ. Preferable Purchasing Product Stewardship Greenhouse Gas Reduction Sustain. Land Use Sustain. Transportation Renewable Energy Energy Efficiency Example: Community PlanningCity of Burnsville Best Practice Areas (BPAs)

16. GHGs / Energy Use

17. Who Should/Will Tackle The Challenge Grassroots • Rotary - Cross Section of our Community • We are the Community, Leaders • Business, Government, etc.