What sustainability means to me

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 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

… I was left unsatisfied

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

Building Communities
Our 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 interests
2) Support project partners with direct donations, fundraising planning and execution, community project design/implementation
3)Design and manage a variety of community relations programs for private sector partners in Shanghai – CorpWorks!

Building Platforms
Develop long term capacity within the various actors (NGO, MNC, academic, gov’t, and citizen) to create stable/ sustainable solutions
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
Web based platform to highlight the real world issues we face with economic and environmental sustainability.
Urban Planning
Water and Land Management
Manufacturing & Materials
Energy
Food & Agriculture
Transportation
Consumerism
Policy
Developed the project based class Sustainability and Responsible Leaderships for 193 MBA students
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 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

… but that is just me.

What about you?

A Few Tips To Get You Started
Tip 1: Take your first steps close to home
Look 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 out
Tip 2: Get Out of your cars
Buy 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 investment
Tip 3: Consume Responsibly
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.
Tip 4: Engage in the Community
Volunteer, 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 community
Tip 5: Teach others … friends, family, & coworkers

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 Resources
Books on what else can happen:
Books on what is happening:
Books on Individual Actions:
Books on sustainability:

My Sites
Learn More :
All Roads Lead to China www.allroadsleadtochina.com
Crossroads www.china-crossroads.com
Cleaner Greener China www.cleanergreenerchina.com
Get Engaged:
Hands On Shanghai www.hansonshanghai.org
Hands On Chengdu www.handsonchengdu.org
Hands On Hong Kong www.handsonhongkong.org
Follow my Tweet!
Crossroads @chinaCSR
Cleaner Greener China @greenerchina
Hands On Shanghai @handsonshanghai
Hands On Chengdu @handsonchengdu

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What sustainability means to me

by Cleaner Greener China on Oct 17, 2009

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What sustainability means to me — Presentation Transcript