Sustainability Narvarte LA 7/8 2/28/08 Narvarte LA 7/8 2/28/08

What is Sustainability? A process or state of being that can be maintained at a certain level indefinitely.

Our planet’s climate (reducing global warming by reducing carbon output) Agriculture (Food production) Forestry (Maintaining the forests for future use) Our planet’s climate (reducing global warming by reducing carbon output) Agriculture (Food production) Forestry (Maintaining the forests for future use) Environment Potential for longevity of vital human ecological support systems.

Environment Industry (Clean non-polluting practices) Fisheries (Fish farms) Human communities (cities, towns, rural areas, villages) Industry (Clean non-polluting practices) Fisheries (Fish farms) Human communities (cities, towns, rural areas, villages) Potential for longevity of vital human ecological support systems.

This matters because... The choices we make about our lifestyles and how we live our lives impact all of these resources How we use energy (gas, oil, water) Where our food comes from (local vs. national/ foreign markets) The choices we make about our lifestyles and how we live our lives impact all of these resources How we use energy (gas, oil, water) Where our food comes from (local vs. national/ foreign markets)

This matters because... The choices we make about our lifestyles and how we live our lives impact all of these resources What we buy (clothing, shoes, technology i.e. cell phones, iPods, computers, T.V.s How we get around (cars vs. public transportation, bikes, walking The choices we make about our lifestyles and how we live our lives impact all of these resources What we buy (clothing, shoes, technology i.e. cell phones, iPods, computers, T.V.s How we get around (cars vs. public transportation, bikes, walking

What might happen... For example, every 6 months, new computers, new cell phones, new iPods come out and everyone wants to update! If we don’t look at how our choices impact the earth, and how fast our industry grows, our society could collapse

What might happen... Another example, the Aztec, Incan and Mayan civilizations no longer exist because when the Spanish came, they brought growth (new diseases, new foods, new lifestyles, new religious practices and new economic systems). The local communities could not support these new practices, therefore the cultures died out. If we don’t look at how our choices impact the earth, and how fast our industry grows, our society could collapse

To Fix it... What we really need, (or what is preferable), is for these systems to become productive indefinitely or “sustainable”. Sustainable agriculture (buying food from local farmers) Sustainable economic systems (price of food going up, housing too expensive, commuting,) What we really need, (or what is preferable), is for these systems to become productive indefinitely or “sustainable”. Sustainable agriculture (buying food from local farmers) Sustainable economic systems (price of food going up, housing too expensive, commuting,)

To Fix it... What we really need, (or what is preferable), is for these systems to become productive indefinitely or “sustainable”. Preserve sustainable ecosystems (forests, animals, plants, ocean life, rain forests) *China biggest polluter air pollution affects CA and US more than any other place in the world 20% rain forests left Change our lifestyles (our dependency on oil, cheap consumer goods (Wal-Mart, Barnes and Noble, Starbucks, McDonald’s), instead to support local merchants to support strong economic communities. What we really need, (or what is preferable), is for these systems to become productive indefinitely or “sustainable”. Preserve sustainable ecosystems (forests, animals, plants, ocean life, rain forests) *China biggest polluter air pollution affects CA and US more than any other place in the world 20% rain forests left Change our lifestyles (our dependency on oil, cheap consumer goods (Wal-Mart, Barnes and Noble, Starbucks, McDonald’s), instead to support local merchants to support strong economic communities.

Sustainability... In modern times this term now refers to discussions around: Climate change Oil dependency and depletion Increased carbon footprints Food production *This word has created movements around the world that have helped to create international laws to help protect the earth (*US refuses to sign) In modern times this term now refers to discussions around: Climate change Oil dependency and depletion Increased carbon footprints Food production *This word has created movements around the world that have helped to create international laws to help protect the earth (*US refuses to sign)

Human Impacts on the Earth What does the phrase “more sustainable” mean? Give some examples. What does the phrase “less sustainable” mean? Give some examples. What does the phrase “more sustainable” mean? Give some examples. What does the phrase “less sustainable” mean? Give some examples.