what is sustainability 2016
TRANSCRIPT
Sustainability: from the Grand to the Globe
First, why are we even talking about this?
First, why are we even talking about this?
First, why are we even talking about this?
First, why are we even talking about this?
First, why are we even talking about this?
The BIG Issue
OK, so what’s causing this?
2° Celcius 565 Gigatons 2,795 Gigatons
“the greatest challenge humans have ever faced”
That’s terrifying.
So, it’s not about saving the planet.
USCanada
If everyone lived like a Canadian we would need 3.5 Earths to support ourselves
So, 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.”
- Bruntland Report (1987)
Three pillars approach says that for complete sustainability, each pillar must be sustainable:• Environmental: the ability to maintain rates of
renewable resource harvest, pollution creation, and non-renewable resource depletion that can be continued indefinitely
• Economic: the ability to support a defined level of economic production indefinitely.
• Social: the ability of a social system, such as a country, to function at a defined level of social well being indefinitely.
• Decision making process• interdependency of socio-
economic and biophysical factors • human as well as ecological
effects in large complex systems • complexity, uncertainty, surprise
and precaution • positive steps • multiple objectives and positive
feedbacks • location specific considerations• Trade-offs
What is Sustainability?
1. Socio-Ecological system integrity2. Livelihood sufficiency and opportunity3. Intra-generational equity4. Inter-generational equity5. Resource maintenance and efficiency6. Socio-ecological civility and democratic
governance7. Precaution and adaptation8. Immediate and long term integration
Generic Criteria
Neat. So how do we do it?
Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Source
40% of Local
Emissions
The BIG Issue
Personal
• Calculate your personal carbon footprint: http://www.carbonzero.ca/calculate
• Look at your daily choices:• Transportation• Food• Energy• Waste• Purchases• Water
Buildings
20% of electricity9% of water consumed
40% less virgin building materials used
A Grander View, Kitchener
Business
Business
“To make it required 135 liters of water, enough to meet the daily needs (three glasses a day) of 45 people. Its
journey from its origin as 60% recycled polyester to our Reno warehouse
generated nearly 20 pounds of carbon dioxide, 24 times the weight of the
finished product. This jacket left behind, on its way to Reno, two-thirds
its weight in waste.”
Business
Business
Infrastructure
Government
• Canada and 194 other countries• to limit the global average temperature rise
to well below 2°C and pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C
Government
Canada’s submission included a 2030 target of 30% below 2005 levels
Sustainable Development Goals
International
Sustainability At Laurierwlu.ca/sustainability
Scope• Operations
• Capital projects • Facilities & business operations
• Education• Curriculum – new and improved courses, CSL• Programs – educational offerings• Outreach – prof. development, training, marketing,
media
• Community Partnerships• Internal - student groups, departments, etc.• External – community groups and orgs
Context
Context
Sustainable Campuses Committee
Sustainability Action Plan
Sustainability Action Plan
Physical Resources
Action Plan
Triple bottom-line
Natural Capital Financial & Built Capital
Human Capital
5 Year GHG Target Passed!
Action Plan
Action Plan
Pledging Partner: Reduce GHGs by 25% over 10 yrs• 10% in 2012 • 14% in 2013• 14% in 2014• 18 % in 2015
LEED Building Design
2015
Laurier Brantford
Laurier Brantford
Alumni
Alumni
Alumni
Campus Green Guides
• Campus green guides• Sustainability Reports
Sustainable Hawk Fund
• 22 applications received• Total funds requested: $225,075• Average funding requested: $10,230• 3 Winners selected totalling: $8,000• Nov 25 & March 31
Action Plan V2
https://lauriersustainability.blitzen.com/form/Action-Plan-Survey
Tyler PlanteOutreach & Program Coordinator,
Sustainability OfficePhysical Resources
Wilfrid Laurier UniversityWaterloo, [email protected]
Reach out!
@LaurierSustainability @LaurierGreen @LaurierGreen
Thank You!