Sustainability 101
Tuesday, 06 March 2012 21:08
By Eva Finkelstein
The broad and inclusive definition for sustainable development was accepted by the United Nations Commission on Environment and Development, General Assembly Resolution in 1987: “Developments that meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.”
Is this the global aim? It should be the goal of the general public, the world, in order to even approach meeting present and future needs at the same time. Are we capable? We are capable of almost anything, if we WANT to be…
According to the United Nations, and the United States Green Building Council, three fundamental ideas need to be recognized for a viable sustainable policy to succeed: economic/social/environmental needs. These core objectives cover an extremely wide range of opportunities, and challenges, to the green movement. Sustainable partnerships based on the three fundamental objectives have been leading to some successful business practices on large and small scales, and everything in between. But, generally, where is the mainstream? The homeowner? Or the small business owner? Even the local politicians and those in the White House? Theyideologically all over the place in their interpretation of the UN General Assembly Resolution…confused.
Yet the sustainable idea is simple, “If something is sustainable, it means we can go on doing it indefinitely. If it isn’t, we can’t.” (Jonathan Porritt, former director of Friends of the Earth). So, what do we do? Limiting the damage to the Earth is important, but, in the end, insufficient. In the end, we must develop, and keep developing, a flexible way of thinking to conform to the complexities of our economic, social and environmental needs.
Sustainability doesn’t have an easy answer, it only has a requirement: accept that conventional ways need to constantly be reconsidered. When we create tight, energy efficient buildings, people can get sick (“sick building syndrome”)—this is not sustainable. When we cover the buildings in foam insulation, they can kill inhabitants in seconds in the case of a fire—this is not sustainable.
The environmental, social and economic impacts of our building decisions all have a place in our future, and our choices reflect investments in our people, our planet and our profits. It’s a mighty yet worthwhile triumvirate to consider when you build or renovate. Please realize the importance of your choices. Consider your products and your manufacturers, and consider your children.
