Wednesday, August 19, 2015

1.3 Sustainability

One key term that will pop up again and again in this course is sustainability.  You NEED to know this...it is fundamental to the goals of environmental management.  Sustainability is when you use a resource from the environment such that it is replenished (put back in) at the same rate the you use it.  

For example, if your allowance is $15 a week, and you only spend $10 a week, you are managing your money sustainably!  Congrats!

However, if you spent all $15 and decide you need gas for your car before your next allowance comes in, you'd have to dust off your bike (not such a bad thing, anyway), because there would be no money to pay for the gas.  You didn't "sustain" the amount of money you needed, therefore you were being "unsustainable."

In the environment, humans, especially since the industrial revolution, have been using many resources unsustainably.  For instance, the fossil fuels we use to power our cars and homes are non-renewable...this means that when we use them, it takes millions of years for them to replenish.  So, if we keep using them at the rate we are, sometime in the future (50 years...100 years...500 years???), we will not have any more.  Unlike the allowance, however, we won't be able to wait until there's more available.  We must use Environmental Management to find solutions before it's too late...and I trust that we will.


It's not all about the environment, however...sustainability takes into account economics and societal impacts as well.  We cannot merely just "switch" to not using resources...the societal and economic segments may crash.  They all need to work together in a cohesive way so that all three are strengthened by each other.

Watch this video...simple, quick explanation of sustainability:



One idea of how to make energy use sustainable:



3 comments:

  1. Great Blog. AI Powered ESG and  Sustainability Management Software

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  2. I'm thrilled to learn about SHS AICE Environmental Management! Sustainability and environmental stewardship are vital in today's world, and it's fantastic to see educational institutions taking a proactive approach to instill these values in students.

    Environmental management is a critical aspect of ensuring a harmonious coexistence with our planet, and I'm excited to see how SHS AICE is integrating this into its curriculum. Are there any specific projects or initiatives you're currently working on to promote sustainability within the school or the community?

    It's inspiring to see educational institutions nurturing the next generation of environmentally conscious leaders. Keep up the great work, and I look forward to hearing more about the positive impact SHS AICE Environmental Management is making!

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  3. Exploring the intersection of environmental management and sustainability is crucial for creating a greener future. The insights shared in this post resonate well with the principles we uphold at CarbonMinus. It's inspiring to see discussions on sustainable practices like the SHS AICE Environmental Management. Looking forward to more collaborative efforts towards a more eco-conscious world.

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