Sustainability & The Built Environment. Everything that we need for our survival and well-being...
-
Upload
theodora-harmon -
Category
Documents
-
view
216 -
download
0
Transcript of Sustainability & The Built Environment. Everything that we need for our survival and well-being...
REAE 5304 Perren Bell April 13, 2013
Sustainability & The Built Environment
What is Sustainability
Everything that we need for our survival and well-being depends, either directly or indirectly, on our natural environment.
Sustainability creates and maintains the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, that permit fulfilling the social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations.
Where is Sustainability?
•Local Governments•Schools•Corporations•Churches•Non-Profits•Residential Developments•Industrial Developments•Farms
Three Main Focus Areas
Eco-Municipality Local, municipal, or county government
that has adopted a particular set of sustainability principles and is committed to a bottom-up, participatory approach for implementing this
Private Corporations Corporate Social Responsibility Policy
Residential Developments Green Residential Home Construction
Organizations in Sustainability
Lawrence Township, NJ Apple Prairie Crossing (Grayslake, IL)
Sustainable Lawrence
Group of residents, businesses, congregations, and other organizations dedicated to creating a sustainable community in Lawrence Township, NJ.
Mission: “To encourage the people and institutions of Lawrence Township to cooperatively adopt fundamental principles of sustainability and to develop policies and practices that fulfill those principles.”
Sustainable Lawrence Policies & Practices
Reduce fossil fuels and wasteful use of limited metals and minerals
Reduce harmful chemicals and wasteful use of synthetic substances
Take care of natural resources Meet human needs fairly and
efficiently
History
Established in January 2005 Environmental forum held by the Lawrence
Township Community Foundation the Lawrenceville School
Keynote speaker Sarah James, author of The Natural Step for Communities She emphasized the collaboration of local
governments and the community to initiate change
A 3 Day Sustainability Conference was held that led to sustainability action plans
Sustainable Practices
Household Battery Management
•Some NJ counties have been recycling batteries since the early 1990s•Rechargeable batteries can be found in:•Cordless power tools•Cellular phones•Laptops•Digital Cameras•Camcorders•Remote control toys•Alkaline batteries however, are considered hazardous waste and can be disposed in regular trash
7 Easy Things
Lower thermostat degree in winter months
Consume locally produced food Use CFLs (Compact Fluorescent
Lights) Less time behind the wheel – walk,
bike, carpool, etc. Turn of the lights when not using Drink tap water instead of bottled
water Teach kids about sustainable
practices
Living Lawns Campaign
Goal: all Lawrence Township lawns completely free of toxic pesticides and fertilizers
Purpose: Protect surface water quality in local
streams and run-off Provide a less polluted local environment Create a healthier living environment
throughout the community Save $$$
Apple Inc. & Sustainabilityhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8gc-iwI6vw
Total Carbon Footprint
Estimates for 2012 indicate Apple was responsible for 30.9 million metric tons
98% of carbon footprint is related to products
The remaining 2% is related to facilities, including data centers
Apple’s focus is to improve their products environmental performance
Manufacturing
Accounts for 61% of Apple’s greenhouse gas emissions
Material use: MacBook & iPad products have become
thinner but yet more durable Toxic substance removal
Eliminated BFRs (brominated flame retardants) and use mercury-free LED lights in displays
Responsible manufacturing Implemented 55 environment audits in 2012
Transportation
• 5% of Apple’s greenhouse gas emissions come from the transportation of products
• Efficient packaging design reduces materials and waste
Recycling
2% of Apple’s greenhouse gas emissions are related to cycling
Product recyclability Materials used such as arsenic-free glass, high-
grade aluminum, and strong polycarbonate are reclaimed by recyclers for use in new products.
Responsible recycling Nothing is shipped overseas for recycling or
disposal. Doesn’t allow the disposal of hazardous
electronic waste in solid-waste landfills or incinerators
Recycling Cont’d
Recycling programs Instituted recycling programs in cities and
college campuses in 95 percent of the countries where our products are sold
Some areas have a formal take-back program that arrange for pickup, transport, and environmentally sound recycling of end-of-life electronics.
Achieved a worldwide recycling rate of 70% in 2012 and expects to maintain this level through 2015
Prairie Crossing
“Prairie Crossing is a widely acclaimed conservation community in Grayslake, Illinois. The community was designed to combine the preservation of open land, easy commuting by rail, and responsible development practices. It is now considered a national example of how to plan our communities to enhance the environment and support a better way of life”.
Prairie Crossing
Great place for boating, fishing or skating on the community's lakes, and swimming at the sandy beach
On-site Prairie Crossing Charter School, a public elementary school where learning is focused on the natural environment
Homes are 50% more energy-efficient than comparable homes in the Chicago area
There are two rail lines that connections to Chicago and O'Hare International Airport, close proximity from Prairie Crossing
Prairie Crossing
More than 60 percent of the 677-acre site is protected open land that is actively used by people and wildlife
Residents have access to the Prairie Crossing Organic Farm
Historic buildings were preserved for current use
Native landscaping also serves an important function in cleansing the storm water on the site and protecting the water quality of lakes
Prairie Crossing
Organic Farm
Grow certified organic produce including vegetables, fruit, flowers and eggs without toxic chemicals or pesticides
Within is the Learning Farm Promotes the integration of healthy ecosystems and the
vibrant human communities they support Includes 3 acres of land, several greenhouses, a
children's garden, and a hen house as outdoor classrooms
Summer farm camp for children 12 and under Prairie Farm Corps - a paid job training program for
racially and economically diverse teens from central Lake County, Illinois interested in sustainable agriculture
Transportation
References
http://www.instituteforecomunicipalities.org/
http://www.epa.gov/sustainability/ http://www.sustainablelawrence.org/ http://www.apple.com/environment/ http://www.prairiecrossing.com/