Environmental SustainabilityEnvironmental Sustainability

What is Environmental What is Environmental Sustainability?Sustainability?

There is no simple definition of ‘sustainability’.

However, most definitions include: living within the limits of what the environment can provide understanding the many interconnections between economy, society and the environment the equal distribution of resources and opportunities

[www.environment.nsw.gov.au]

The Commissioner of Environmental Sustainability Victoria state The Commissioner of Environmental Sustainability Victoria state that: “that: “Environmental sustainability is the ability to maintain the Environmental sustainability is the ability to maintain the qualities that are valued in the physical environment”.qualities that are valued in the physical environment”.

For example, most people want to sustain [maintain]: For example, most people want to sustain [maintain]: human lifehuman lifethe capabilities that the natural environment has to maintain the the capabilities that the natural environment has to maintain the living conditions for people and other species [eg. clean water living conditions for people and other species [eg. clean water and air, a suitable climate]and air, a suitable climate]the aspects of the environment that produce renewable the aspects of the environment that produce renewable resources such as water, timber, fish, solar energy]resources such as water, timber, fish, solar energy]the functioning of society, despite non-renewable resource the functioning of society, despite non-renewable resource depletiondepletionthe quality of life for all people, the livability and beauty of the the quality of life for all people, the livability and beauty of the environment.environment.

Threats to these aspects of the environment mean that there is Threats to these aspects of the environment mean that there is a risk that these things will not be maintained.a risk that these things will not be maintained.

Sustainability development aims to meet human needs in the present while preserving the environment so that these needs can also be met in the indefinite future.Sustainability focuses on connections in the following areas:

Economic Environmental Social

Economic development

Resource use: eg. water

Human and workers rights

Local industry participation

Waste generation

Paying appropriate wages

Job creation Material sourcing

Working conditions

Corporate governance

Atmospheric pollution

Freedom of association

Public reporting Toxic material disposal

Workforce diversity

The Department of Environment and Climate Change [DECC] implements environmental sustainability programs that include actions to:

reduce the use of physical resources including water and energy encourage recycling

increase the use of renewable resources encourage redesign of production processes and products to eliminate the production of toxic materials

protect and restore natural habitats and environments valued for their biodiversity or beauty

Australian’s spend over $10.5 billion annually on goods and services that are never or hardly ever used. This is more than the total spent by governments on Australian Universities and roads.Over $5.3 billion worth of food was thrown away in 2004. This equates to 13 times the amount Australians donated to overseas aid agencies at that time. [Source – Australian Institute, 2005 DP77]

Sustainable purchasing can save money as well as the environment. Reduced consumption means reduced purchasing costs – saving resources such as water, energy and raw materials and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

DID YOU KNOW?

Households are responsible for a significant proportion of the resources we consume each year. Australians are amongst the highest water users in the world household water usage accounts for 70% of Sydney’s total water consumption.

Households are the second largest user of mains water after agriculture.

The average household today contains more chemicals than were found in a typical chemistry lab a century ago and more than 300 manufactured chemicals have been found in human bodies. Australians are the second highest waste producers in the world.

The average Australian household spends $1500 on energy bills each year. 90% of that energy comes from fossil fuels such as coal, which creates greenhouse gas pollution and causes global warming and climate changes.

DID YOU KNOW?

EPAEnvironmental Protection

Agency7 major issues in the

environmentAir

Waste and RecyclingWater

ConservationEcosystems

Your neighborhoodHealth and Safety

Air Waste and Recycling

Acid RainAir Pollution

Climate ChangeGlobal Warming

OzoneUV Radiation

Hazardous WasteRecycling

Solid WasteSuperfund

Water Drinking Water

WastewaterGround WaterWater Pollution

Oil Spills

Endangered SpeciesEnergy Conservation

Soil ConservationWater Conservation

Eco Systems Your Neighborhood

Coral ReefsEcological Indicators

ForestsHabitats

WatershedsWetlands

Local dataMaps

Community issues

Health and SafetyAsthma

LeadMercury

PesticidesRadon

Sun Protection

Sustainability•Sustainability means meeting the needs of the present without making it difficult for future generations to meet their need, ensuring that the resources we use can be replenished

•Sustainability is an important concept for technological developments

•We must use resources in a way that does not deplete them too quickly

•Any technological development must consider the total quality of life, both immediately and in the future

•A large part of designing sustainable products relates to conserving energy and making sure that the long-term consequences of any actions are considered

•Designing sustainable is also about creating products that are safe, cost effective and sensitive to the needs of the users

Ecological FootprintEcological Footprint is a resource management tool that measures how much land and water area a human population requires to produce the resources it consumes and to absorb its wastes under prevailing technology

In order to live, we consume what nature offers. Every action impacts the planet’s ecosystems. This is of little concern as long as human use of resources does not exceed what the earth can renew. But are we taking more?

Ecological Footprints enable people to take personal and collective actions in support of a world where humanity lives within the means of one planet

New TechnologiesThe technologies listed below have considered sustainability in their design. They have been designed to minimize impact on the environment.

•The Hybrid Toilet System – sustainable management of sewage waste

•Solar Sailor – combining solar energy and wind energy

•Hot Rock energy – renewable geothermal energy

•Geodesic Domes – energy efficient homes

•The Smart Car – a battery powered vehicle

•Wind farm – renewable wind energy

•North Side Storage Tunnel – captures sewerage overflow on the north shore of Sydney

•Biosides – unwanted water treated and used as soil conditioners

•Nanohouse – environmentally friendly housing

Environmental Problems and SolutionsThere are many environmental problems that have led designers to consider the appropriateness of their designs and the resources used. Some of the issues that remind us that we must care for our environment are: •the greenhouse effect•the depletion of the ozone layer•species under threat of extinction•air and water pollution•waste disposal

Environmentally related trends that have a further impact include:•shortage of raw materials, both renewable and non-renewable•increased cost of energy•increased levels of pollution•government interference in the management of natural resources

Impact of Technology on the Environment Positives:

•more efficient ways of reducing pollution and cleaning polluted areas•modern technology such as electronics uses less raw materials•technology provides more knowledge about our planet•electronics occupies less space than mechanical parts•electronics pollute less than mechanical components•recycling technology leads to less use of raw materials•electronics are efficient and require less energy

Negatives:•more toxic waste•greater use of some natural resources such as oil, coal, timber, minerals etc.•transport of fuels increases the possibility of pollution•more use of fossil fuels leads to warming of our atmosphere•greater production of commodities leads to more pollution•more products leads to more maintenance

Environmental and Technological Solutions These are some initiatives that are already in place:•dual flush toilet systems to reduce water use•water efficient shower heads•products that have been designed for disassembly, so that they can be pulled apart after use and be reused and/or recycled •legislation to prohibit the placing of waste materials into waterways•development of solar power and wind farms to provide sustainable energy sources•redesigning of energy efficient fluorescent light bulbs for use in regular light fittings

Renewable energyRenewable energy is the most appropriate form of energy as it comes from sources that can be replaced as we use them. Some examples of renewable energy are:•hydro – power•solar energy•wind power•biomass energy•nuclear power

RecyclingEverything in our home has originally come from a natural resource. Natural resources include:•Timber•Coal•Water•Oil•Bauxite•Limestone

These resources make items such as:•Steel•Paper•Glass•Plastics

Recycling these waste items saves landfill space, disposal costs and limited natural resources

Recycling Australia Facts•Australia is one of the highest producers of waste per head of population in the world•Australia is ranked second, behind the USA, in terms of waste generation•Every year each Australian sends around 3.5 kilograms of steel cans to the landfill. That’s enough steel to make 40,000 fridges!•In 2006 over 1 billion newspapers were recycled in Australia – a recycling rate of 73%. That makes Australians the best newspaper recyclers in the world•Every tonne of paper recycled saves almost 13 trees, 2.5 barrels of oil, 4100 kW of electricity, 4 cubic meters of landfill space and 31,780 litres of water•Recycling PET bottles saves 84% of the energy it takes to make PET bottles from raw materials•By recycling one aluminum can you are saving enough energy to run your TV for 3 hours •Each cardboard milk carton can be recycled into 5 sheets of office paper•If everyone bought 2 litre bottles of drink instead of 1.25 litre bottles. There would be 22% less bottles used•Australians are one of the best recycling countries in the world, but we are one of the highest generators of waste

•reduce the negative impacts from gardening through awareness of run off, compost, water wise techniques and possible invasive weeds in your garden•cut down domestic water usage •develop a more energy efficient home and minimise greenhouse gases•recycle waste. 46% of Australian homes are already doing it!•clean your home using “natural cleaning” or “greenhouse cleaning”•make simple changes in the way you use chemicals in the home•make green choices when purchasing or building your home. ie: build to retain maximum light and sunlight, install water tanks and solar panels

How can you make difference?

YOU CAN:

Environmental legislation

•Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW) and amendments•Codes of Practice (WorkCover NSW)•Control of Workplace Hazardous Substances.

• Clean Air Act 1961 • Clean Waters Act 1970 • Environmental Offences and Penalties Act 1989 • Noise Control Act 1975 and • Pollution Control Act 1970

Go to:

http://www.environment .nsw.gov.au/index.htm

The Department of Environment and Climate Change and Wateris a new agency formed on 27 April 2007. With the change, the former Department of Environment and Conservation is taking on new and renamed programs to build a broader organisation able to respond to the unprecedented challenge presented by climate change. The new department brings together a range of conservation and natural resources, science and programs, including native vegetation, biodiversity and environmental water recovery to provide an integrated approach to natural resource management.

Linkswww. ecosustainable.com.au/links.htm#3

www.environment.nsw.gov.au/education/EducationCaseStudies.htm#council

www.environment.nsw.gov.au/sustainbus/index.htm

www.powerhousemuseaum.com/ecotude/

www.powerhousemuseum.com/innovativegame/

www.powerhousemuseum.com/exhibitions/ecologic.asp

Case StudiesDepartment of Environment and Conservation [NSW] www.environment.nsw.gov.au

Industry – Eurobodalla Sediment and Erosion Control. Education Awareness campaign.

Community – The Shopping Challenge! Warringah Council

Organisational – campaign for a Clean and Green learning Environment. TAFE NSW – Sydney Institute Ultimo Campus

Magenta Shores, The Entrance NSW