Sustainability Defined by Designers

What does sustainability mean?
…. Will we be saved?
… or do things need to change?

Currently Accepted Definitions
- Wikipedia –
Sustainability, in a broad sense, is the capacity to endure.
In ecology, the word describes how biological systems remain diverse and productive over time. For humans it is the potential for long-term maintenance of wellbeing, which in turn depends on the wellbeing of the natural world and the responsible use of natural resources.
- WashingtonStateUniversity -
Sustainable means using methods, systems and materials that won't deplete resources or harm natural cycles" (Rosenbaum, 1993).
Sustainability identifies a concept and attitude in development that looks at a site's natural land, water, and energy resources as integral aspects of the development" (Vieira,1993) “
Sustainability integrates natural systems with human patterns and celebrates continuity, uniqueness and placemaking" (Early, 1993)
Definitions that are heavily focused on the environment, and all things “green”

A definition that was defined by…
Was defining
Global Warming
Al Gore (and his drowning polar bears) catalyze global awareness
Citizens begin learning about “carbon footprint”/ Schools teaching environmentalism
TV Shows on CNN & Discovery highlight human impact on the environment while CNBC covers investment opportunities
Children tell their parents to save the word
Cleantech Investment
Investment in clean technology
Renewable energy and alternative fuels enter consumer investor portfolio
Vernacular/ technology are enter mainstream conversations on television
Cleantech investment books become best sellers
Economics of and focus on cleantech firms improves with each dollar rise in oil
150 USD Oil
Treehuggers and yuppies united!
Diesel and gas inflation brought calls for change that drowning polar bears could not
Pressure on governments to regulation and subsidize solutions
Pressure on industry to change - to reduce waste and increase efficiency
Pressure on consumers to change habits – public transport, bicycles, and even walking!

Traditional Definitions Lead to..
Catchy phrases:
Carbon Footprint
Low Carbon Economy
Green Jobs
Carbon Offsets
Cap & Trade
Border Adjustments
Sequestration
Cap & Trade
Border Adjustments
Traditional Solutions:
And the conferences…. ALL THOSE GREEN CONFERENCES

But.. It is more than that
Clean Energy
Carbon offsets
Green Jobs
Managed Resources
Populations & Labor
Consumer Safety
Urban Planning & Urbanization
Food & Agriculture
Landfills & eWaste
Overpackaging
Healthcare
Traffic and Transport
Healthcare

Sustainability and Responsible Leadership Project
Potential Project Examples
Clean Technology
Built Environment
Manufacturing
Resources
Land Use
Renewable Materials
Food & Agriculture
Forests and Parks
Bodies of Water
Labor Pools
Waste Management
Air Quality
Life Cycle Analysis
Closed Loop mfg.
Product Design
Packaging/ Waste
Logistics/ Transport
Ethical Supply Chain
Quality Control & Assurance
Recycling & eWaste
Urban Planning
Building Materials
Urban Transport
Greenspace
Energy/ Water efficiency
Build Retrofitting
Building Operation
Affordable Housing
Smartgrid
Biofuels
Transportation
Waste-to-energy
Water Filtration
Clean Coal
Renewable Energy
Carbon Offset/ Trading
Economics
Civil Society
Social Services
Civic Engagement
Philanthropy
NGO Development & Capacity
Social Enterprises
Cultural Preservation
Consumer Safety
Community Program
Healthcare
Education
Poverty Alleviation
Elderly Care
Job Training
Rehabilitation & Counseling
Financial Services
Financial Markets
Green Economies
MFG Vs Services
Urbanization
Rural/ Urban Gap
Consumer Spending
Green Consumers

What is your definition of sustainability?What do you see as the core issues?

What are the solutions you see?

Waste Reductions
Live Cycle Analysis
Materials
Reuse
Process
Water Footprint
Organics/ Fair Trade
Renewable Materials
Packaging
Reduce
Embedded Energy
Plastic vs. Bamboo
Commodity
Recycle
Local Sourcing
Refurbish
Transportation
Product Takeback

What’s Holding You Back?
Learn More :
All Roads Lead to China www.allroadsleadtochina.com
Collective Responsibilitywww.collectiveresponsibility.org
Cleaner Greener China www.cleanergreenerchina.com
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All Roads Lead to China @allroads
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Richard Brubaker rbrubaker@chinasdp.com

Sustainability Defined by Designers

by Collective Responsibility on Jun 26, 2010

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Sustainability Defined by Designers — Presentation Transcript