What sustainability means to me…. 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 definingGlobal WarmingAl 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 opportunitiesChildren tell their parents to save the wordCleantech InvestmentInvestment in clean technologyRenewable energy and alternative fuels enter consumer investor portfolioVernacular/ technology are enter mainstream conversations on televisionCleantech investment books become best sellersEconomics of and focus on cleantech firms improves with each dollar rise in oil150 USD OilTreehuggers and yuppies united!Diesel and gas inflation brought calls for change that drowning polar bears could notPressure on governments to regulation and subsidize solutionsPressure on industry to change - to reduce waste and increase efficiencyPressure on consumers to change habits – public transport, bicycles, and even walking!

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

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

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 FootprintLow Carbon EconomyGreen JobsCarbon OffsetsCap & TradeBorder AdjustmentsSequestrationCap & TradeBorder AdjustmentsTraditional Solutions:And the conferences…. ALL THOSE GREEN CONFERENCES

Carbon Footprint

Low Carbon Economy

Green Jobs

Carbon Offsets

Cap & Trade

Border Adjustments

Sequestration

Cap & Trade

Border Adjustments

… I was left unsatisfied

But.. It is more than that Clean EnergyCarbon offsetsGreen JobsManaged ResourcesPopulations & LaborConsumer SafetyUrban Planning & UrbanizationFood & AgricultureLandfills & eWasteOverpackagingHealthcareTraffic and TransportHealthcare

Building CommunitiesOur Mission: Hands On China’s mission is connecting people – both locals and foreigners in Shanghai who want to become involved as volunteers in community activities with local charities who need assistance.How We Work:Coordinates volunteer opportunities for active professionals, according to their availability and personal interests2) Support project partners with direct donations, fundraising planning and execution, community project design/implementation3)Design and manage a variety of community relations programs for private sector partners in Shanghai – CorpWorks!

Building PlatformsDevelop long term capacity within the various actors (NGO, MNC, academic, gov’t, and citizen) to create stable/ sustainable solutionsProvide a platform where civil sector professionals can share best practicesConduct research, study problems, assess program, & create partnershipsWork with social entrepreneurs and NGO leaders to develop capacityOn campus research, develop student leaders, clubs, mentorships, internshipsWeb based platform to highlight the real world issues we face with economic and environmental sustainability.Urban PlanningWater and Land ManagementManufacturing & MaterialsEnergyFood & Agriculture TransportationConsumerismPolicyDeveloped the project based class Sustainability and Responsible Leaderships for 193 MBA studentsTo institutionally support society by leveraging its students, faculty, alumniImprove student awareness of the social and environmental challenges in China 36 teams will conduct research, develop external partner, & present business plan

Provide a platform where civil sector professionals can share best practices

Conduct research, study problems, assess program, & create partnerships

Work with social entrepreneurs and NGO leaders to develop capacity

On campus research, develop student leaders, clubs, mentorships, internships

Urban Planning

Water and Land Management

Manufacturing & Materials

Energy

Food & Agriculture

Transportation

Consumerism

Policy

To institutionally support society by leveraging its students, faculty, alumni

Improve student awareness of the social and environmental challenges in China

36 teams will conduct research, develop external partner, & present business plan

Sustainability and Responsible Leadership Project Potential Project ExamplesClean TechnologyBuilt EnvironmentManufacturingResourcesLand UseRenewable MaterialsFood & AgricultureForests and ParksBodies of WaterLabor PoolsWaste ManagementAir QualityLife Cycle AnalysisClosed Loop mfg.Product Design Packaging/ WasteLogistics/ TransportEthical Supply ChainQuality Control & AssuranceRecycling & eWasteUrban PlanningBuilding MaterialsUrban TransportGreenspaceEnergy/ Water efficiencyBuild RetrofittingBuilding OperationAffordable HousingSmartgridBiofuelsTransportationWaste-to-energyWater FiltrationClean CoalRenewable EnergyCarbon Offset/ TradingEconomicsCivil SocietySocial ServicesCivic EngagementPhilanthropyNGO Development & CapacitySocial EnterprisesCultural PreservationConsumer SafetyCommunity ProgramHealthcareEducationPoverty AlleviationElderly CareJob TrainingRehabilitation & CounselingFinancial ServicesFinancial MarketsGreen EconomiesMFG Vs ServicesUrbanizationRural/ Urban GapConsumer SpendingGreen Consumers

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

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

… but that is just me.

What about you?

A Few Tips To Get You StartedTip 1: Take your first steps close to homeLook for places to improve the footprints of your family: Air Conditioning, lighting, personal transportation, imported boxes of cereal, turning off the water when shaving, cooking from scratch, refurbishing before replacement, working outTip 2: Get Out of your carsBuy a bike, get on the metro, or walk. Shanghai is a city whose mass transit options are clean, safe, and convenient, and by utilizing these options and being a statistic, it will only promote further investmentTip 3: Consume ResponsiblySupport brands and products that are trying to leave a positive footprint on the communities in which they operate by paying the premium, and encouraging others to do the samePurchase 2nd hand, refurbish “old” items, and recycle when there is no other alternative. Reuse should come before recycle.Tip 4: Engage in the CommunityVolunteer, explore the community, serve on a board, and help someone outside your concentric ring. Understand the role you have within the community, your impact on the community, and the responsibility we have to the communityTip 5: Teach others … friends, family, & coworkers

Support brands and products that are trying to leave a positive footprint on the communities in which they operate by paying the premium, and encouraging others to do the same

Purchase 2nd hand, refurbish “old” items, and recycle when there is no other alternative. Reuse should come before recycle.

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

Will you return home and hope that others will save the world?Or will you engage…. and Be The Change?

A Few ResourcesBooks on what else can happen:Books on what is happening:Books on Individual Actions:Books on sustainability:

My SitesLearn More :All Roads Lead to China www.allroadsleadtochina.comCrossroads www.china-crossroads.comCleaner Greener China www.cleanergreenerchina.comGet Engaged:Hands On Shanghai www.hansonshanghai.orgHands On Chengdu www.handsonchengdu.orgHands On Hong Kong www.handsonhongkong.orgFollow my Tweet!Crossroads @chinaCSRCleaner Greener China @greenerchinaHands On Shanghai @handsonshanghaiHands On Chengdu @handsonchengdu