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Sustainability Considerations

Sustainability Considerations. “Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. - Our Common Future (1987). Global Demand. Population by country:.

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Sustainability Considerations

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  1. Sustainability Considerations

  2. “Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. - Our Common Future (1987)

  3. Global Demand

  4. Population by country: Percentage of World GDP (5 largest) Historical GDP Per Capita (inflation adj.) • GDP discrepancy between US and 4 largest countries • Acceleration of Chinese growth • Growth fueled by resource demand

  5. The Needs of the World • World population and resource demand are increasing • Presents largest obstacle to sustainability • Carrying capacity • The maximum number of people the Earth can support • UN projects 10 billion by 2100

  6. GDP and Health • Huge increase of life expectancy with first $10,000 of GDP growth • This provides the basics of life (food, water, sanitation etc.) • Similar trend with decrease in infant mortality • Ideally, entire globe should consume at least at this minimum level

  7. Historical Life Expectancy and infant mortality in US Life Expectancy and infant mortality as a function of GDP in US

  8. Failed States and Sustainability • Lack of governmental control spawns unsustainable practices by population • High population growth • Minimal economic growth • Decreased interest in environmental protection • Threaten stability and sustainability of entire region • Hotspots for terrorism and other radical activity

  9. Resource Demand • World GDP growing at 3% per year and population at 1% • more wealth per person • Coinciding increase in resource demand

  10. Energy Consumption • US accounts for 5% of population, but 20% of energy consumption • China presents largest potential for future demand per capita increase

  11. Water Demand • Water use tends to increase with income • Tied to GDP growth • Water shortage seen as a probable cause of future conflict • Essential to food production and industry

  12. Measures of Sustainability • Include: • Ecological footprint • Energy footprint • CO2 • Calculations are more of an estimate • Give a sense of how resource intensive your lifestyle is • Infrastructure tied to most aspects of ecological footprint

  13. Engineering Sustainability

  14. Sustainable Design • Minimizing environmental impact is not inherently sustainable design • Triple bottom line • Include environmental and social well-being when calculating the value of a project or product • Mirrors three pillars of sustainability • Economic, environmental, social

  15. Green Buildings Characteristics Encourage electric vehicle use Improved indoor air quality Use sustainable materials (e.g. bamboo) • Use renewable energy • Reduce runoff • Use less land • Closer to city center • Use local materials • Use recycled materials • Conserve water • Natural lighting • Personal climate controls

  16. Green Roofs • Long popular in northern Europe • Gaining popularity in the US • Varying degrees of complexity • Benefits: • Improved heat insulation • Reducing urban heat island • Decrease runoff • Provide natural habitats • Sound insulation

  17. Green Retrofitting • The Empire State Building to undergo $20-million-dollar retrofit • 40% reduction in energy use expected • $4-million-dollar per year estimated savings • short payback period for project

  18. LEED Certification • Established in 2000 by US Green Building Council • Four tiers of achievement • “certified”, silver, gold, platinum • Five point categories • Sustainable sites • Water efficiency • Energy and atmosphere • Materials and resources • Indoor environmental quality

  19. Water Reuse • Much of current water use practices deplete aquifers over time • Wastewater left to overland runoff • Does not recharge the aquifer

  20. Water Reuse Cont. • Definition: the practice of treating wastewater to achieve standards required for drinking water • Savings significantly reduce strain on aquifers • Especially if rate of consumption is reduced below the recharge rate of aquifer

  21. Conclusion • Clearly, we cannot continue to consume resources at our current rate • underdeveloped nations are rapidly modernizing • Environment cannot handle this new strain • To maintain our current standards of living while increasing our sustainability, we need to turn to engineering • Definition and goals of sustainable design will be constantly changing, however, sustainability should continue to be an engineer’s goal

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