Wikipedia on “Sustainability”

Sustainability, in general terms, is the ability to maintain balance of a certain process or state in any system. It is now most frequently used in connection with biological and human systems. In an ecological context, sustainability can be defined as the ability of an ecosystem to maintain ecological processes, functions, biodiversity and productivity into the future.^[1]

Sustainability has become a complex term that can be applied to almost every system on Earth, particularly the many different levels of biological organization, such as; wetlands, prairies and forests^[2] and is expressed in human organization concepts, such as; eco-municipalities, sustainable cities, and human activities and disciplines, such as; sustainable agriculture, sustainable architecture and renewable energy.^[3]

For humans to live sustainably, the Earth’s resources must be used at a rate at which they can be replenished. However, there is now clear scientific evidence that humanity is living unsustainably, and that an unprecedented collective effort is needed to return human use of natural resources to within sustainable limits.^[4][5]

Since the 1980s, the idea of human sustainability has become increasingly associated with the integration of economic, social and environmental spheres. In 1989, the World Commission on Environment and Development (Brundtland Commission) articulated what has now become a widely accepted definition of sustainability: “[to meet] the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”^[6]

Sustainability 101 from the University of Minnesota

This article, Sustainability 101, is published by the Minnesota Sustainable Communities Network.

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Sustainability is the commonsense notion that long-term prosperity and ecological health not only go together, they depend on one another.

Sustainability means long-term cultural, ecologic and economic health and vitality. Or put another way, sustainability is about actions which are ecologically sound, economically viable, and socially just and humane.

It has also been defined as meeting our needs today while ensuring that future generations can continue to meet their own needs. Sustainability involves preserving the natural environment upon which people and economies depend.

In 1996 the Minnesota Legislature defined sustainable development — the process of moving toward the state of sustainability — as “development that maintains or enhances economic opportunity and community well-being while protecting and restoring the natural environment upon which people and economies depend. Sustainable development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

Sustainability is different from environmentalism. To elaborate on what Alan AtKisson wrote in his 1999 book “Believing Cassandra: An Optimist Looks at a Pessimist’s World” (read article): Activism to protect Nature from the ravages of the economy and from the typical American lifestyle (traditional environmentalism: the stick) is different than redesigning industry and lifestyles to fit benignly into the natural world (sustainable development: the carrot). Working toward sustainability necessarily engages disparate groups — labor unions, industry leaders, Wall Street, citizen groups, government, academia and others — as well as environmentalists. It offers people a bold, inspiring, very long-term vision.

Two well-accepted sets of sustainability principles—the Natural Step and Cradle-to-Cradle frameworks—establish conditions for how we can develop our products, services, our individual lives, our economy, and our society in a truly sustainable manner.

• What we take, make and waste: The inputs, products, pollution and wastes of our industrial society—originating with fossil and radioactive fuels, mined metals and minerals, synthetic chemicals, pesticides, plastics,etc.—must not accumulate long-term in the environment as wastes. “Wastes” must ultimately be compostable or remain in closed-loop reuse cycles that don’t contaminate compostables. All energy must eventually come directly and indirectly from the earth’s one perpetual source of energy: the sun.

• What we do to the Earth: Biodiversity and natural systems—soils, forests, water, air, genetic material—must not be irreversibly degraded by human activities. Healthy natural systems allow us to eat, drink, and breathe safely.

• What we need: The bounty of the Earth—food, raw materials, natural systems—must be used equitably, fairly and efficiently so that the basic needs of all humans are met locally and globally. Social, economic, and ecologic diversity that builds off the uniqueness of each specific place builds resiliency into geographic regions.

According to Minnesota Planning’s 1998 publication Sustainable Development: The Very Idea (read more), for human activities to be sustainable over time, they should:

• Meet people’s economic and social needs

• Use renewable resources, such as timber and fish, at a rate that can be maintained over time

• Gradually reduce reliance on nonrenewable natural resources, such as coal and oil

• Reduce reliance on and limit the release of toxic substances that do not readily break down in nature

• Use all resources as efficiently and fairly as possible so that present and future generations can meet their needs

• Use land in ways that meet diverse needs, conserve financial and natural resources, and preserve its ability to meet future needs

• Reflect the interdependence of social, economic and environmental conditions

• Preserve the integrity of ecological processes and biological diversity

Another way of thinking about sustainability is to note how communities often work toward becoming more sustainable. These actions often involve each of the following five characteristics (as modified from a discussion in The Eagle Bird: Mapping a New West by Charles F. Wilkinson, 1999, p. 108):

- holistic (combining environmental, social and economic considerations)

- place-based (rooted in a specific geographic location)

- long-term in focus (looking decades or more ahead)

- collaborative and inclusive (welcoming the involvement of a wide range of stakeholders)

- practical and results-oriented (seeking to make a visible and concrete difference)

For a checklist that details over two dozen specific criteria for evaluating the sustainability of proposed community projects, see see list)

For more information about the definition of sustainability, the following web sites are recommended:

Smart Communities Network:

Sustainable Measures:
Article that summarizes nine well-used frameworks of sustainable development.

Green Hawai’i – Online Magazine

Green Hawai’i is an online magazine published by Hawaii Home + Remodeling, an established Hawai’ian home-improvement and remodeling magazine.

Berkeley FIRST Financing Initiative for Renewable and Solar Technology

Berkeley FIRST is a solar financing program operating in the City of Berkeley. It provides property owners an opportunity to borrow money from the City’s Sustainable Energy Financing District to install solar photovoltaic electric systems and allow the cost to be repaid over 20 years through an annual special tax on their property tax bill. The tax will only be paid by Berkeley property owners who voluntarily participate in the Berkeley FIRST program.

Berkeley FIRST is intended to solve many of the financial hurdles facing property owners who want to install solar systems. To calculate the cost benefit of the Berkeley FIRST program for your household energy needs please see the UC Berkeley RAEL calculator on the UC Berkeley website. The advantages of the Berkeley FIRST program are:

* There is relatively little up-front cost to the property owner.
* The cost for the solar system is paid for through a special tax on the property, and is spread over 20 years.
* The financing costs are comparable to a traditional equity line or mortgage.
* Since the solar system stays with the property, so does the tax obligation—if the property is transferred or sold, the new owners will pay the remaining tax obligation. Read more.

Green Initiative NYC video – Charlie Rose

An April 22, 2009 conversation about Green Initiative NYC with Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Christine Quinn, Speaker of the New York City Council and Carl Pope, Executive Director of the Sierra Club.

Eat the Suburbs: Gardening for the End of the Oil Age (video)

Sierra Club Green Tip Videos

COMPOSTING

WRAPPING A HOT WATER HEATER

INSTALLING A PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT

HOLIDAY GREEN TIPS

“Green Builders” video

A quiet green revolution in the building world is evolving, and a first wave of innovative green design projects large and small has already hit the ground. Green Builders, a one-hour high-definition special, profiles a cast of green-building pioneers who have taken the leap into making their part of the “built environment” a more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly place.

Green Builders website..

HERE COMES THE SUN — Must See Video on Solar Energy!

Native Tree Planting Drive to Support Maui’s Forests

The Permaculture Group has announced it’s second annual Earth Day Native Tree Planting Drive, a campaign to inspire everyone to invest in restoring Maui’s native forests. Throughout the end of April, Maui residents and those abroad can purchase a variety native trees, and plant them in their yards or have The Permaculture Group land stewards plant them on their behalf. Interested participants can learn more and order via PayPal at their website, or call 808-250-1469.

According to The Permaculture Group founder Joseph Imhoff, “here on Maui, we have a problem with our forests. They have been clear-cut, they are diminishing more and more, and restoration is crucial. Hawai’i’s native trees are meant to be here, and they are gravely needed for wind abatement, healthy soils, and to keep fresh rainwater in our aquifers. They even play an important role in healthy reefs and ocean life.”

For Earth Day, Imhoff is offering the aalii, ohia lehua, koai’a, and upcountry koa. Delivery is available. The Permaculture Group has several native tree drives throughout the year, most recently the “Planting Christmas” project that asked residents to use a live, potted native tree for their Christmas tree instead of cutting one down. Imhoff says over 30 residents chose native trees and planted them as a sustainable, healthy alternative.

“It is our goal to leave Maui much healthier, much better off than when we found it. These trees will live much longer than we do, and will truly preserve a tangible, sustainable wealth for the generations to come,” adds Imhoff’s wife and partner Sara Tekula. “Also, 10 trees equals the amount of oxygen one person uses in their lifetime. At the very least, each person should be planting 10 trees to give that back.”

Joseph and Sara have done documentary film projects intended to “inspire social change and wellness” on Maui through their media company, Noni Films. (more)

About The Permaculture Group:
“Thinking ahead, from the ground up”. Through its Community-Supported Agriculture projects (CSAs), The Permaculture Group creates creative, engaging opportunities for the Maui community to make lifestyle changes that support the local economy and environment. This includes supporting local farmers, native reforestation projects, addressing food security issues and providing media services to expand and promote all of the above.