Sustainability

Safe Sustainability

The safe species of sustainability, of which the intent is to maintain current human activity with a few green tweaks – namely promoting energy efficiency, purchasing greener products, and mitigating the worst aspects of the existing modus operandi that has brought us to where we are today.

It is typified by a focus on the T element of the IPAT equation (where (Human) Impact = Population x Affluence, aka consumption x Technology, aka efficiency).

Resource efficiency through technical (T) improvement is the focus of safe sustainability, despite the fact that overall expansion will negate any efficiency gains.

It treats sustainability as a technical and engineering challenge, not a social and cultural challenge.

It focuses on addressing the symptoms (like climate change), not causes of social and ecological disruption.

It does not dare to have an open, robust discussion about population and consumption issues in all countries.

It will not face the contradiction between its eat more message of economic growth – increasing the numbers of people and the resources they need and want – and the eat less message of use less energy, materials and water and create less waste.

Safe sustainability is a double headed monster, with each head trying to drag the body politic in opposite directions.

The result is inertia.

Savvy Sustainability

Then there is the sustainability which is prepared to face and tackle the uncomfortable, the contentious, the politically dangerous.

The sustainability that recognises we need systemic and political change as well as individual action.

The sustainability that acknowledges that climate change, which itself remains unresolved, is merely a symptom of the biggest conundrum facing humanity: the assumption that we can sustain the current 7 billion people on the planet on western industrial lifestyles when the planet – according to every scientific source from the IPCC to Millennium Ecosystem Assessment – is saying its not coping now.

The 21st century question is how to ensure that everyone has a good quality of life – of which material living standards are only a part – within the biophysical limits of one planet. Many people will need to raise their material standards of living to secure their basic needs and ensure their quality of life.

We cannot end extreme poverty unless we tackle this.

We cannot address climate change unless we tackle this.

Efficiency will buy us time, but will not address the other two elements of IPAT, the consumption and population issues which are so politically sensitive.

The discussion of limits challenges the policy position of all governments – economic growth. It would be tantamount to political suicide right now to question this consensus.

We must abandon safe sustainability and break these taboos before decision makers (not just politicians) will have the legitimacy to address it.

This is the sustainability road less travelled right now – but it is the only way to effectively and fully address this great challenge we face.

Why do we need to keep growing?

Is the new challenge for humanity how to grow better, instead of bigger?

Safe sustainability might be politically palatable and allow us to stay within our Wizard of Oz poppy field – at least for what remains of a rapidly closing time frame in which to wake up and get on with it – but it won't be able to override the physics and biology of ever greater numbers of people and consumption levels across the planet.

We need to be brave, admit that safe sustainability isn't going to cut it, get savvy, and begin the task of reinventing the operating code of our human endeavours.

Glass half empty...

The graph below shows that in the late 1970's humanity reached the biocapacity of the earth. Biocapacity is the earth's ability to provide the resources we consume. The graph shows that humanity currently needs about 1.5 earths to sustain our current consumption. This might seem impossible – how can we consume more than the earth can provide? The answer is that we are making up the shortfall by using up the earth's natural capital like freshwater, soil, biodiversity, coral reefs and wetlands. These crucial resources will run out unless we change.

Glass half full...

It is all too easy (and depressing) to be negative – the problems are dire and the solutions seem complex and difficult.

However, there are many, many direct and indirect benefits to being sustainable and by focusing on these we will find out that the solutions aren't so difficult, the problems will disappear and we will all be better off.

By implementing the means for sustainability such as: doing no harm; reducing consumption; buying fresh local food; being self-sufficient in energy using solar income; being precautious and preventative, and; being efficient; we will be rewarded with:

• Better health
• Stronger, plentiful relationships
• More personal fulfillment
• Safer communities
• Greater self-sufficiency
• Cleaner environments
• Sustainable prosperity

The Basics

If you want to know how to be sustainable in a nutshell check out our basic sustainability tips.

Know your footprint

You can't manage what you don't measure. All of the tips below will help you reduce your ecological footprint, but first you need to know where you are now, set a goal and plan for reducing your footprint, then measure again to see how you have done.

Eat fresh food, mostly plants

Buying local supports your community and reduces freight. Buying fresh and seasonal reduces processing and packaging. Buying organic promotes sustainable soil and land use. Grow your own. Eat less meat – which has a bigger footprint than plants.

Buy less stuff

Making stuff uses a lot of resources and that impacts the environment. Think about enough i.e. what you need for a sufficient life. Buy products that are well-made and durable, ideally second-hand. Consider renting or borrowing what you need. If you can, make your own.

Use natural products

Use natural products and avoid products that have hazardous, synthetic chemicals which don't break down and can build up to toxic levels. Choose goods made from eco-friendly and renewable materials, such as sustainably harvested wood and organic cotton or choose recycled materials.

Transport yourself

Ideally you live close to work, schools and shops so that you can walk everywhere. Otherwise you could ride a bike or take public transport. Getting a lift to work with a neighbour will halve both of your emissions. You'll be more self-sufficient and help slow climate change.

Renew your energy use

Reduce electricity use by having good insulation, buying high efficiency appliances, installing solar or heat pump water heating and using compact fluorescent bulbs. Use renewable energy when possible e.g. an efficient wood-burner. Better still – generate your own clean electricity.

Waste not, want not

Nothing is ever really thrown away – it always goes somewhere. By buying less, recycling and reusing, we reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfills where even biodegradable products don't break down due to lack of oxygen or sunlight.

Look after your water

Clean water is a precious, non-renewable resource. Being water conscious helps reduce strain on municipal treatment systems and ensures there's enough to go around. You can collect rainwater to water your gardens in summer and recycle your grey water to the garden.

Offset the rest and invest in nature

The environment needs reinvigorating for the long term. We need to renew the soil, clean waterways, clear contaminated sites, restore habitats, create wildlife reserves, control noxious animals and plant trees.