An Introduction to Sustainability

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An Introduction to Sustainability

• Joe Rasmussen
• Philosophy 101
• Rio Hondo College

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Overview of Presentation

• Introduction to Sustainability
• Climate Change
• Green Building
• Human Health and Social Justice
• Pollution and Industry
• Food Production and Agriculture
• Conclusion

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Sustainability Definition Sustainability has
been defined as meeting the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their needs (Brundtland
Report, 1987).
Above is a Conceptual Model of Sustainability,
also referred to as the Triple Bottom Line
People, Planet, and Profit
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Climate Change

• Understanding the Greenhouse Effect
• Ancient Sunlight vs. Present Sunlight
• Observing the Effects of Climate Change
• Climate Science vs. Propaganda
• Reducing Our Carbon Footprint

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Understanding the Greenhouse Effect
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Understanding the Greenhouse Effect
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Ancient Sunlight vs. Present Sunlight

• For billions of years, the Earth has been powered
  by present sunlight.
• For thousands of years, humans lived according to
  the limitations of present sunlight.
• Over the last few hundred years, humans have been
  capturing ancient sunlight and using it to power
  our lives in the form of fossil fuels.

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Observing the Effects of Climate Change
The effects of climate change are as diverse as
the Earth itself. Here are a few effects

• Desertification and Drought
• Rising Sea Levels
• Melting of Polar Sea Ice

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Climate Science vs. Propaganda

• A consensus exists within peer-reviewed
  scientific research journals that climate change
  is a real phenomenon.
• Climate change is considered a scientific fact in
  a similar way to other scientific facts that go
  largely unchallenged.
• However, not everyone agrees that climate change
  is a real phenomenon.

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Climate Science vs. Propaganda

• There are many examples of anti-climate change
  propaganda in the media.
• These are only a few

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Climate Science vs. Propaganda

• Does this remind you of anything?
• Similar types of progaganda have been used in the
  past.
• When a lack of scientific consensus exits, then
  other persuasive means must be used.

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Reducing Our Carbon Footprint

• Even if we dont believe in climate change,
  taking steps to reduce our carbon footprint will
  help human and environmental health.
• There are many things we can do to reduce our
  carbon footprint Drive less, reduce energy use,
  recycle, buy durable goods, support local farms
• What are your ideas?

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On-line References

• U.S. EPA
• http//www.epa.gov/climatechange/index.html
• NASA
• http//climate.nasa.gov/

Film Recommendation
An Inconvenient Truth http//www.climatecrisis.net
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Green Building

• What is green building?
• Why build green?
• What has Rio Hondo College done to build green?

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The USGBC Leads the U.S. Green Building Industry
Efforts
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Building Green Accomplishes the Following
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Buildings are the Primary Source of Carbon
Emissions
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Green Buildings are Good for People
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What Has Rio Hondo College Done to Build Green?
New Library and Learning Resource Center is LEED
certified. Grounds on campus use native and
drought tolerant plants.
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Human Health and Social Justice

• Sustainability and Human Health
• Social Justice
• Environmental Justice

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Sustainability and Human Health

• Human health is dependent on environmental
  health. We all need a healthy environment.
• Environmental health is dependent on human
  activities, or the lack of human activities.
• Many of the activities that we engage in to be
  more green or sustainable are for human health.
• Can you think of any?

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Social Justice

• There are multiple social inequities that exist
  among the diversity of people on this planet.
• Our societies cannot flourish and sustain
  themselves with these inequities in place.
• All people need to be able to benefit equally
  from the resources afforded us by society and the
  environment.
• All people must be treated with dignity and
  respect, and have equal opportunities for
  success.
• How can we better work toward these goals?

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Environmental Justice

• Environmental Justice is the fair treatment and
  meaningful involvement of all people regardless
  of race, color, national origin, or income with
  respect to the development, implementation, and
  enforcement of environmental laws, regulations,
  and policies (U.S. EPA).
• Why is this important?

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References

• On-line Resources
• http//www.ejnet.org/ej/principles.html
• http//www.cbecal.org/
• http//planetgreen.discovery.com/food-health/green
  -health-care.html
• Recommended Videos
• http//www.metacafe.com/watch/1874731/environmenta
  l_justice/
• http//ec.environmentalcountdown.org/_Paul-Hawken-
  Blessed-Unrest-and-WiserEarth/VIDEO/452942/4315.ht
  ml

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Pollution and Industry

• Pollution caused by individual activities
• Pollution caused by industrial activities
• What can we do to lessen our impact?

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Pollution caused by Individuals

• All of us contribute to environmental pollution
  on a daily basis through a variety of activities.
• How do we pollute our environment?
• What can we do to prevent pollution?

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Pollution caused by Industry

• Although individuals are responsible for the
  larger industries, in a way they take on a life
  of their own once they are created.
• Industrial pollution takes a number of forms.
• Can you think of any?

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References

• On-line Resources
• http//www.epa.gov/p2/
• http//www.aqmd.gov/
• http//www.nrdc.org/water/default.asp
• http//www.healthebay.org/
• Films
• Earth Days
• The 11th Hour

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Food Production and Agriculture

• Conventional vs. Organic Agriculture
• Factory Farming vs. Animal Rights

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Conventional vs. Organic Farming

• For thousands of years, humans used simple
  organic farming methods to grow plants for food.
• Beginning mostly in the 20th century, as major
  advances were made in chemistry, inorganic
  fertilizers and pest control chemicals were used.

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Conventional vs. Organic Farming

• Industrial agriculture became the new convention,
  replacing traditional techniques.
• Today, agriculture has become agri-business and
  has become focused on making high profit margins
  rather than feeding people healthy food.
• Using Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in
  food is also a growing health concern.

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Factory Farming vs. Animal Rights

• Much like traditional forms of agriculture,
  animals have been utilized for thousands of years
  for food.
• Traditionally, animals were treated with dignity
  and healthy living conditions were promoted.
• Factory farming of animals began during the same
  era that agriculture became industrialized.

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Factory Farming vs. Animal Rights

• Many factory farming techniques deny animals the
  dignity of having basic rights to live a
  comfortable, healthy life.
• Factory farming can be environmentally harmful in
  many ways (i.e. waste, mortalities, etc.).
• Factory farming can also be harmful to human
  health in many ways (i.e. hormones, mad cow
  disease, antibiotics, food-borne illnesses, etc.)

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References

• On-line Resources
• http//www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdahome
• http//truefoodnow.org/
• http//www.humanesociety.org/issues/campaigns/fact
  ory_farming/
• http//www.peta.org/mc/index.asp
• Films
• Food, Inc.
• The Future of Food
• Fast Food Nation
• http//www.themeatrix.com/

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Conclusion

• What can we do?
• Educate yourself and others
• Join a service organization and take action
• Raise awareness in your community
• Make little and/or big changes in your lifestyle
• Any other ideas?

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Thank You!