Sustainability Education Program Connecting Communities By: Jody Holmes Sustainable Living

Core Learning Objectives Mental Clarity Appreciation for Life Self Respect Pursuit of Sustainable Happiness Eternal Motivation Community Responsibility Environmental Stewardship

What is sustainability? Sustaining life Protecting life support systems Living in harmony with nature Green economic growth “we can’t continue living the way we are now” (first sentence in The Climate Nexus)

What is a Sustainable Lifestyle? A conservative lifestyle Enjoying simple living Giving more than you take Self-sufficiency

Environmental Footprint Energy and resources used Carbon emitted Waste created Degradation caused

Consequences of Actions Every action has consequences Understand impacts of actions Research your options Consume responsibly

Global Awareness Think of global issues Globalization Industrialization Environmental degradation

Carrying Capacity Ecosystem limitations Inputs vs outputs Population growth and decline Stresses on ecosystems

Finite Resources vs Infinite Resources Fossil Fuels and Minerals Renewable Resources Oil Natural Gas Gold Diamonds Solar, wind, geothermal energy Trees and plants Soil Animals

Closed System Fossil fuels not replenished Minerals not replenished Fragile ecosystems Vulnerable animal populations

Global Ecosystem Network Limitless energy from Sun Oxygen production Water purification Food production

Compromising Ecosystems Ocean acidification Cutting of forests Habitat destruction Bottom trawling

Compromising Ecosystems Soil erosion Air and water pollution Unsustainable logging Overfishing

Economic System Major influence Financial implications Affects security and freedom Reason for living conservatively

Small Communities Sustainable Self-sufficient Local production Live within bioregion limitations

Large Cities More complex Many challenges Many opportunities Design is critical

Personal and Community Gardens Local organic food production Benefits communities Increases soil quantity Benefits local biodiversity

Car-pooling/car-sharing Reduces emissions and pollution Reduces traffic Reduces infrastructure requirements Reduces vehicle maintenance

Reduce Consumption Energy and Resources Products Reduce use of electricity Reduce use of water Reduce use of vehicles Reduce use of fossil fuels Purchase less material items Prolong use of current items Reuse and upcycle Purchase ‘needs’ not ‘wants’

Renewable Energy Use solar; affordable, easy Research wind energy options Consider geothermal Biomass

Questions, Comments, or Concerns Do you understand what sustainability is? Are you clear on what a sustainable lifestyle should be like? Do you think you can live more sustainably? Do you want to try to live more sustainably? What are your values and ethics? What is important to you? Do you think you have a responsibility to try and live more sustainably?