sustainability training series course 1: what is sustainability?

Sustainability Training SeriesCourse 1: What is sustainability?

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Stop and think about what your role might be – both today and in the future.

Share what you learn with friends, teachers and colleagues, and then consider how this newfound knowledge might inform your daily lives.

Learning objectives

You will:

• Understand the interdependency of our world – its social, environmental, and economic dimensions

• Understand how different segments of society are impacted by sustainability

• Understand the meaning of sustainability, and its importance in our global society

Jot down notes, suggested links or vocabulary, as well as any questions this provocative subject is likely to inspire.

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Kathy NielandLeader, PwC Sustainable Business Solutions

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What is sustainability?

Sustainable Development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Sustainability is the capacity to endure.

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Sustainability statistics

Over the past 50 years, humans have changed ecosystems more rapidly and extensively than in any comparable period of time in human history.

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Of 24 major ecosystems studied in the United Nation’s Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 83% were threatened or in serious decline.

Humanity is using nature’s services 50% faster than what Earth can renew.By 2030, humanity will need the capacity of two Earths to absorb carbon dioxide waste and keep up with natural resource consumption.

1.1 billion people in developing countries have inadequate access to water.2.6 billion lack basic sanitation.Global population is expected to exceed 9 billion by 2050.1.4 million children die each year from lack of access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation.

Global energy demand is expected to soar 44% over the next two decades.Almost 75% of the energy demand will come from developing countries, such as China, India, Russia and Brazil.

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Projections show that if this trend continues, global temperatures could continue to rise by one to four degrees by the end of the 21st century.

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Why is sustainability important in our global society?

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Recent history of sustainability

1962 Silent Spring, Rachel Carson

1969 Cuyahoga River in Cleveland on fire

1970 President Nixon establishes the

Environmental Protection Agency

1984 Bhopal disaster

1987 World Commission on

Environment and Development

1989 Valdez Spill

1990s Exposés on child labor laws and sweat shops

1999 World Trade

Organization Seattle, WA

2010 Fukushima

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Reflection

Based on your understanding of sustainability, and the seminal events highlighted through recent history, what do you think are the most pressing issues we are facing as a global society?  What solutions might you recommend to solve some of those challenges?

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Our interdependent world

•Economic prosperity

•Environmental quality

•Social equity

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Social, environmental, and economic

Impact Issues

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Social

EconomicEnvironment

al

Bearable Equitable

Sustainable

Viable

Poverty

Women’s equality/educationConsumption

Climate ChangeEnergy SourcesFresh Water SupplyProductionSocial JusticeLabor LawsDemand PatternsBiodiversitySupply Chains

Chemicals/toxinsFreedom

Unstable global food supply

Population levelsUrbanizationEmployment

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Take a moment to consider where you think each issue’s greatest impact would be and how it might overlap in two or three spheres.

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Impact on society

What is the biggest challenge organizations face as they proceed on the path to sustainability?

Does their approach consider the social, environmental and economic dimensions

effectively?

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Society case study: climate change discussion

Tom Brokaw, television journalist, provides an update on global warming.

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Business case study:Unilever: Fishing for a future

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Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus delivers the keynote address (1)

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Government case study:United States Navy

MH-60S Seahawk helicopter test flight (5)

USS Makin Island (4)

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Community case study:Greensburg, Kansas

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Community case study:Greensburg, Kansas

Danny Forster, host of Science Channel’s Build It Bigger, explores Greensburg—a town that is rebuilding itself with the latest in green and sustainable technology.

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Individual case study: Livinglandsandwaters.org

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

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The crew works in an average of 9 states a year along the Mississippi, Illinois, Ohio, Missouri, and Potomac Rivers, as well as many of the tributaries.

60,000 volunteers have collected over 6 million pounds of debris from our nation’s rivers.

What will you do to move us towards a more sustainable future?

No activity in society would be possible without the tireless individuals who make it all happen.

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Review of key learnings• Sustainability is a complex, constantly evolving issue• Major historical and current events have shaped the

sustainability debate• Sustainable Development: development that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

 • Urbanization, globalization and advances in technology have increased pressures

• World population expected to rise to 9 billion by 2050• Experts questioning “capacity to endure” at current pace• Three legged stool – social, environmental, and economic

spheres in balance• All sectors of society are impacted by sustainability:

• Businesses• Governments• Communities• Individuals

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Assessment

Sustainability, often known as sustainable development, is most famously and primarily defined as…

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A) Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

B) The ability to continue economic growth to alleviate poverty in the developing world

C) Conservation of high-biodiversity-value lands to protect them from economic development

D) Preservation of all natural resources into the future

Urbanization, _____________, and advances in technology driving a shift towards greater ____________ have all increased pressure on our planet's interconnected social, environmental, and economic systems.

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A) innovation; energy

B) environmentalism; globalization

C) globalization; transparency

D) preservation; communication

Over the past two decades, countries like ________ and ________ have witnessed unprecedented population growth, coupled with a new cadre of middle class citizens with the financial resources to consume the energy intensive products located in some industrialized countries.

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A) China and Germany

B) India and the United States

C) China and India

D) Brazil and Canada

The best United Nations estimates suggest that world population will grow…

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A) From 5 billion today to 6 billion by 2050

B) From 5 billion today to 7 billion by 2075

C) From 7 billion today to 8 billion by 2075

D) From 7 billion today to 9 billion by 2050

What are the core elements of the “3-legged stool” analogy of sustainability?

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A) Economic prosperity, environmental quality, and technological advancement

B) Economic prosperity, environmental quality, and social development/equity

C) Globalization, technology, and equity

D) Globalization, urbanization, and equity

The 1984 Bhopal disaster, the 1989 Valdez Spill, the 2010 Deep Water Horizon Spill, and the 2010 Fukushima Disaster are all events that underscore which of the following sustainability concerns:

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A) Brundtland Commission’s definition of sustainable development

B) How to safely meet our world energy needs

C) Global energy demand is expected to rise 44% over the next two decades

D) All of the above

What is a likely reason the consumer products giant Unilever helped create the Marine Stewardship Council to certify fisheries as sustainable?

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A) They felt a responsibility to care for a resource that the company was using.

B) They saw the data on projections for fish stocks and were concerned about the company’s continuing ability to find supply for some of its popular products (fish sticks).

C) They wanted to help their major fish suppliers and local fisherman maintain capacity and stay in business.

D) All of the above

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What is Sustainability Assessment

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This content is for general information purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional advisors.

© 2011 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, a Delaware limited liability partnership. All rights reserved. PwC refers to the [territory] (e.g. United States) member firm, and may sometimes refer to the PwC network. Each member firm is a separate legal entity. Please see www.pwc.com/structure for further details.

– For key concepts, additional resources and citations, click on the paper clip icon in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen.

– If your assessment results were:• 70% or higher: You have successfully completed this course!• Under 70%: Please retake the assessment.

– We encourage you to complete all four courses in the series:

Course 1 – What is sustainability?

Course 2 – The private sector responds to sustainability

Course 3 – The public sector responds to sustainability

Course 4 – Individuals respond to sustainability