A popular definition is “sustainability is equity over time…think of it as extending the golden rule through time. Do unto future generations as you would have them do unto you.” (Robert Gilman.) Many people refer to sustainability as “going green.” This is a light way of thinking about it.
Industrial Revolution
In the year 1712, Thomas Newcomen created the first commercially successful steam engine. Many historians believe this to be the onset of the Industrial Revolution. The Industrial Revolution introduced widespread coal mining throughout the world, which in turn, brought about pollution. The blackened buildings of 18th and 19th century England are things of legend.
Pollution can be seen everywhere nowadays. The horizon at sunset, for example, with the bright pink and orange clouds, can often be attributed to pollution. The smog of large cities like New York, Los Angeles and Singapore is the result of pollution.
It has been known for decades that coal is a dirty fuel, but it is still in use throughout the world. Fossil fuels are the main source of energy, despite scientists' calls to reduce their use.
Ecological Footprint
The concept of the ecological footprint was conceived by Dr. Mathis Wackernagel in his doctoral dissertation at the University of British Columbia in 1994. The ecological footprint is a measurement of human demand on the Earth's ecosystem. It compares human demand with the planet's ecological capacity to regenerate. This measurement gives an estimate of how many times faster humans use resources than the Earth can regenerate them. The current global UN estimate is 1.3 Earths.
Measurement values vary, but most intake the variables of carbon use, food, housing and goods and services. It can measure individual, national and global footprints. The footprint measurement can be a very useful tool in educating the public on such issues as carrying capacity (the amount of humans that the planet can successfully support) and over-consumption (using more goods than needed).
In 2005, the average global per capita footprint was 2.1. The World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) estimates that humans have exceeded the biocapacity (the available supply of natural resources) by 20%. The average footprint around the globe differs greatly by country. In 2005, the average US footprint was 9.4, the average Swiss footprint was 5.0 and the average Chinese footprint was 2.1.
The carbon footprint is an offset of the ecological footprint. It is "the total set of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused by an organization, event or product" (UK Carbon Trust (2008) "Carbon Footprinting").
Again, the carbon footprint can be measured for an individual, nation or organization. After a number is determined, a plan of action to becoming more sustainable can be developed. Many organizations are becoming more sustainable, and new sustainable organizations are appearing globally. Some big-name organizations that are changing are Starbucks, CH2M Hill, Nike and the community of Whistler in British Columbia, Canada.
The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in 1997, aiming to combat climate change. As of October 2009, 184 countries have signed the Protocol. Under the Protocol, these countries have committed themselves to reducing the use of greenhouse gases. The most notable country that has not signed is the United States. The US is a signatory of the Protocol, but only symbolically. Unless the government ratifies it, the US is not legally bound.
Going Green
There is no other planet, no more resources beyond what is already here. The resources that have been destroyed cannot be replaced, and cannot be reproduced in a production plant. Degraded forests cannot be re-grown. Extinct species cannot be brought back. Governments can spend billions of dollars to clean up water and air, but the toxins will still be there.
There are small steps that individuals, especially those with a high standard of living, can take to become more sustainable. Use cleaner transport. Add energy-saving features to the home, such as compact fluorescent light bulbs. Keep the thermostat relatively low in winter, and ease up on the AC in the summer. Turn off electronics when not in use. Eat locally and buy organic. Take shorter showers. Turn off the water while brushing teeth. Don’t use the garbage disposal – compost instead. Run the dishwasher and clothes washer only when they are full. Hang-dry clothes as much as possible. When buying something, choose things with less packaging. Use paper bags instead of plastic, or use cloth bags.
Using the idea of the ecological footprint, it can be easier to combat climate change.
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