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Sustainablilty Primer PDF

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Nicky Lewis
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40 views1 page

Sustainablilty Primer PDF

Uploaded by

Nicky Lewis
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Sustainability Primer

Research project proposals should embody the principles of sustainability. Sustainability is defined by the Brundtland Commission as “development that meets the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs," and by the President’s Council on Sustainable Development as “…an evolving process that improves the
economy, the environment, and society for the benefit of current and future generations.” A sustainable approach is a systems-based approach that seeks to understand the interactions
which exist among the three pillars (environment, social, and economic) in an effort to better understand the consequences of our actions. Ideally, research that seeks sustainable solutions
to protect the environment also strengthens our communities and fosters prosperity.
Below are the three pillars of sustainability, each with 6 broad topics that relate to its respective pillar. A brief explanation of each topic is given, along with example re-
Sustainability Criteria
search activities or goals that might address that aspect of sustainability. The examples are not intended to be inclusive.

Environmental
Ecosystem Services Air Quality Stressors
Protect, sustain, and restore the health of critical natural habitats and eco- Attain and maintain air-quality standards and reduce the risk from toxic air Reduce effects by stressors (e.g. pollutants, greenhouse gas emissions,
systems pollutants genetically modified organisms) to the ecosystem
Examples: Potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing Example: Investigate potential greenhouse gas emissions reduction strategies Example: Fate of modified nanoparticles in aqueous media

Green Engineering & Chemistry Water Quality Resource Integrity


Develop chemical products and processes to: reduce/prevent chemical Reduce exposure to contaminants in drinking water (including protecting Reduce adverse effects by reducing waste generation, increased recycling,
hazards, reuse or recycle chemicals, treat chemicals to render them less source waters), in fish and shellfish, and in recreational waters and ensuring proper waste management; restore resources by mitigating
hazardous, dispose of chemicals properly. Example: Pathogen removal in riverbank filtration and cleaning up accidental or intentional releases
Example: Lifecycle environmental impacts Example: Improving recycling technology to prevent environmental impact
of mining
Social Economic
Environmental Justice Jobs
Protect health of communities over-burdened by pollution by empowering Create or maintain current and future jobs
them to take action to improve their health and environment Example: Create green jobs
Example: Establish partnerships with local, state, tribal, and Federal
organizations to achieve healthy and sustainable communities Incentives
Generate incentives that work with human nature to encourage sustainable
Human Health practices.
Protect, sustain, and improve human health Example: Conservation Reserve Program, encouraging sustainable log-
Example: Parameterize model which predicts developmental toxicology ging practices

Participation Supply and Demand


Use open and transparent processes that engage relevant stakeholders Promote price or quantity changes that alter economic growth, environ-
Example: Develop database of reduced-risk pesticides for commonly used mental health and social prosperity.
products, create greater public access and understanding about sustain- Example: Increasing supply of green energy sources to reduce need for
ability fossil fuels

Education Natural Resource Accounting


Enhance the education about sustainability of the general public, stake- Incorporate natural capital depreciation in accounting indices and ecosys-
holders, and potentially affected groups. tem services in cost benefit analysis.
Example: Provide opportunities for students to learn about sustainability Example: Green net national product

Resource Security Costs


Protect, maintain, and restore access to basic resources (e.g. food, land, and Positively impact costs of processes, services, and products
energy) Example: Strive to develop a waste-free process—eliminating need for
Example: study impact of dispersants/oil combination on natural water- regulation costs
ways
Prices
Sustainable Communities Promote a cost structure that accounts for externalities to production.
Promote the development, planning, building, or modification of communi- Example: Bottle bill
ties to promote sustainable living
Example: Landscape with native plant species, green buildings

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