1. What Is Sustainability? Jim Feldman Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies and History Winnebago Project: A Faculty College University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, May 22-23, 2008

2. Defining Sustainability World Commission on Environment & Development (Brundtland Commission): World Commission on Environment & Development (Brundtland Commission): sustainability is meeting “the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” Gro Harlem Brundtland

3. Sustainability & the Triple Bottom Line Social, economic, environmental Social, economic, environmental People, profit, planet People, profit, planet Sustainability means integrating three dimensions: social justice, economic security, and ecological integrity Sustainability means integrating three dimensions: social justice, economic security, and ecological integrity

4. Sustainability as Process Sustainability as process Sustainability as process Becoming more sustainable (or less) Becoming more sustainable (or less) Shifting definitions Shifting definitions

5. Graphing Sustainability Linking the three parts Linking the three parts Defining boundaries Defining boundaries Economics as a subsystem of environment Economics as a subsystem of environment

6. Daly’s Triangle Economist Herman Daly Economist Herman Daly “Ultimate Means” “Ultimate Means” Environment as foundation Environment as foundation “Ultimate Ends” “Ultimate Ends” Just society & human well- being Just society & human well- being “Intermediate Means” “Intermediate Means” Economy, politics, technology, ethics Economy, politics, technology, ethics

7. Sustainability vs. Sustainable Development Is sustainability different than sustainable development? Is sustainability different than sustainable development? The sustainability of growth The sustainability of growth Defining development Defining development Qualitative development includes economic security and social justice Qualitative development includes economic security and social justice

8. Sustainability & Higher Education "Sustainability implies that the critical activities of a higher education institution are (at a minimum) ecologically sound, socially just, and economically viable, and that they will continue to be so for future generations. A truly sustainable college or university would emphasize these concepts in its curriculum and research, preparing students to contribute as working citizens to an environmentally sound and socially just society. The institution would function as a sustainable community, embodying responsible consumption of food and energy, treating its diverse members with respect, and supporting these values in the surrounding community.” "Sustainability implies that the critical activities of a higher education institution are (at a minimum) ecologically sound, socially just, and economically viable, and that they will continue to be so for future generations. A truly sustainable college or university would emphasize these concepts in its curriculum and research, preparing students to contribute as working citizens to an environmentally sound and socially just society. The institution would function as a sustainable community, embodying responsible consumption of food and energy, treating its diverse members with respect, and supporting these values in the surrounding community.” --Association of University Leaders for a Sustainable Future (www.ulsf.org)