An Introduction to Sustainability

An Introduction to SustainabilityJoe RasmussenPhilosophy 101

Rio Hondo College

Overview of Presentation• Introduction to Sustainability• Climate Change• Green Building• Human Health and Social Justice• Pollution and Industry• Food Production and Agriculture• Conclusion

Sustainability DefinitionSustainability has been defined as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs” (Brundtland Report, 1987).

Above is a Conceptual Model of Sustainability, also referred to as the Triple Bottom Line: “People, Planet, and Profit”

Climate Change

• Understanding the Greenhouse Effect• Ancient Sunlight vs. Present Sunlight• Observing the Effects of Climate Change• Climate Science vs. Propaganda• Reducing Our Carbon Footprint

Understanding the Greenhouse Effect

Understanding the Greenhouse Effect

Ancient Sunlight vs. Present Sunlight• For billions of years, the Earth has been powered

by present sunlight.• For thousands of years, humans lived according

to the limitations of present sunlight.• Over the last few hundred years, humans have

been capturing ancient sunlight and using it to power our lives in the form of fossil fuels.

Observing the Effects of Climate ChangeThe effects of climate change are as diverse as the Earth itself. Here are a few effects:

• Desertification and Drought

• Rising Sea Levels

• Melting of Polar Sea Ice

Climate Science vs. Propaganda• A consensus exists within peer-reviewed

scientific research journals that climate change is a real phenomenon.

• Climate change is considered a scientific fact in a similar way to other scientific facts that go largely unchallenged.

• However, not everyone agrees that climate change is a real phenomenon.

Climate Science vs. Propaganda• There are many examples of anti-climate change

propaganda in the media.• These are only a few…

Climate Science vs. Propaganda

• Does this remind you of anything?

• Similar types of progaganda have been used in the past.

• When a lack of scientific consensus exits, then other persuasive means must be used.

Reducing Our Carbon Footprint• Even if we don’t believe in climate change, taking

steps to reduce our carbon footprint will help human and environmental health.

• There are many things we can do to reduce our carbon footprint: Drive less, reduce energy use, recycle, buy durable goods, support local farms…

• What are your ideas?

On-line ReferencesU.S. EPAhttp://www.epa.gov/climatechange/index.htmlNASAhttp://climate.nasa.gov/

Film RecommendationAn Inconvenient Truthhttp://www.climatecrisis.net

Green Building

• What is green building?• Why build green?• What has Rio Hondo College done to build

green?

The USGBC Leads the U.S. Green Building Industry Efforts

Building Green Accomplishes the Following:

Buildings are the Primary Source of Carbon Emissions

Green Buildings are Good for People

What Has Rio Hondo College Done to Build Green?

New Library and Learning Resource Center is LEED certified.Grounds on campus use native and drought tolerant plants.

Human Health and Social Justice

• Sustainability and Human Health• Social Justice• Environmental Justice

Sustainability and Human Health• Human health is dependent on environmental

health. We all need a healthy environment.• Environmental health is dependent on human

activities, or the lack of human activities.• Many of the activities that we engage in to be

more green or sustainable are for human health.• Can you think of any?

Social Justice• There are multiple social inequities that exist

among the diversity of people on this planet.• Our societies cannot flourish and sustain

themselves with these inequities in place.• All people need to be able to benefit equally from

the resources afforded us by society and the environment.

• All people must be treated with dignity and respect, and have equal opportunities for success.

• How can we better work toward these goals?

Environmental Justice• “Environmental Justice is the fair treatment and

meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies” (U.S. EPA).

• Why is this important?

ReferencesOn-line Resources:• http://www.ejnet.org/ej/principles.html• http://www.cbecal.org/• http://planetgreen.discovery.com/food-health/gre

en-health-care.htmlRecommended Videos• http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1874731/envir

onmental_justice/• http://ec.environmentalcountdown.org/_Paul-Ha

wken-Blessed-Unrest-and-WiserEarth/VIDEO/452942/4315.html

Pollution and Industry

• Pollution caused by individual activities• Pollution caused by industrial activities• What can we do to lessen our impact?

Pollution caused by Individuals• All of us contribute to environmental pollution on

a daily basis through a variety of activities.• How do we pollute our environment?• What can we do to prevent pollution?

Pollution caused by Industry• Although individuals are responsible for the larger

industries, in a way they “take on a life of their own” once they are created.

• Industrial pollution takes a number of forms.• Can you think of any?

ReferencesOn-line Resources• http://www.epa.gov/p2/• http://www.aqmd.gov/• http://www.nrdc.org/water/default.asp• http://www.healthebay.org/

Films• Earth Days• The 11th Hour

Food Production and Agriculture

• Conventional vs. Organic Agriculture• Factory Farming vs. Animal Rights

Conventional vs. Organic Farming• For thousands of years, humans used simple

organic farming methods to grow plants for food.• Beginning mostly in the 20th century, as major

advances were made in chemistry, inorganic fertilizers and pest control chemicals were used.

Conventional vs. Organic Farming• Industrial agriculture became the new convention,

replacing traditional techniques.• Today, agriculture has become agri-business and

has become focused on making high profit margins rather than feeding people healthy food.

• Using Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in food is also a growing health concern.

Factory Farming vs. Animal Rights• Much like traditional forms of agriculture, animals

have been utilized for thousands of years for food.• Traditionally, animals were treated with dignity

and healthy living conditions were promoted.• Factory farming of animals began during the same

era that agriculture became industrialized.

Factory Farming vs. Animal Rights• Many factory farming techniques deny animals

the dignity of having basic “rights” to live a comfortable, healthy life.

• Factory farming can be environmentally harmful in many ways (i.e. waste, mortalities, etc.).

• Factory farming can also be harmful to human health in many ways (i.e. hormones, mad cow disease, antibiotics, food-borne illnesses, etc.)

ReferencesOn-line Resources• http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdahome• http://truefoodnow.org/• http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/campaigns/

factory_farming/• http://www.peta.org/mc/index.asp

Films• Food, Inc.• The Future of Food• Fast Food Nation• http://www.themeatrix.com/

Conclusion

What can we do?• Educate yourself and others• Join a service organization and take action• Raise awareness in your community• Make little and/or big changes in your lifestyle• Any other ideas?

Thank You!