Defining Sustainability Environment & Resource Management

Defining Sustainability What is Sustainability? Organic Food Production Wetland Restoration Renewable Energy Technologies

What is Sustainability? The ability to provide for the needs of the world's current population without damaging the ability of future generations to provide for themselves.

Organic Food Production Organic food production is based on a system of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers. Organic foods are minimally processed without artificial ingredients, preservatives, or irradiation to maintain the integrity of the food.

Organic Food Production Why? Clean water Healthy workers Healthy food Why not? Higher prices Lesser availability

Organic Food Production After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1990, the Government of Cuba converted the entire country to organic agriculture, and currently only organic agriculture is permitted by law.

Wetland Restoration Wetland restoration and preservation is becoming an increasingly critical priority around the world. The importance of wetlands as buffers against extreme weather conditions became apparent in Louisiana when Hurricane Katrina hit the state in 2005. More than 148,000 acres of Louisiana wetlands had been destroyed due to construction during the prior decade alone, weakening the inland’s defense against the storm.

Mississippi River New Orleans August 9, 2005

New Orleans Flooded Extensive Flooding September 4, 2005 Missing Land

Wetland Restoration Many nongovernmental organizations around the world are pursuing projects to help preserve vanishing wetlands. www.wetlands.org Ordinary citizens have many opportunities to help in the fight to restore this fragile ecosystem.

Wetland Restoration Conservation Authorities in Ontario Conservation Authorities are mandated to ensure the conservation, restoration and responsible management of Ontario's water, land and natural habitats through programs that balance human, environmental and economic needs. The Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority has jurisdiction over the 15 watersheds that lie mainly in Whitby, Oshawa, and Clarington

Wetland Restoration Central Lake Ontario Watersheds

Wetland Restoration

Wetland Restoration Central Lake Ontario Conservation Areas

Wetland Restoration CLOCA Working in Partnership with the Community for Healthy Watersheds

Lynde Shores Conservation Area

Victoria Street Lynde Shores Trail Map Lakeridge Road

Gordon Street Victoria Street Halls Road Lakeridge Road

Lynde Shores Conservation Area

Heber Down Conservation Area

Heber Down Trail Map

Renewable Energy Technologies Can you identify the 9 major sources of energy depicted in this drawing? Which are “green”?

What are all of the renewable energy sources in this picture?

Renewable Energy Technologies Did you spot them all? Canadian Renewable Energy Network www.canren.gc.ca

Renewable Energy Technologies Wind powers 315,000 homes and businesses in Canada Wind power is the world's fastest growing energy source Canada could reasonably meet 20% of its total energy needs with wind power www.canwea.ca

Renewable Energy Technologies

Renewable Energy Technologies In Canada, hydroelectricity is used so extensively that the word "hydro" is used to refer to any electricity delivered by a power utility. Hydroelectric power supplies 20% of world electricity, but Canada is the world's largest producer of hydro power and produces over 70% of its electricity from hydroelectric sources. www.canhydropower.org

Renewable Energy Technologies

Renewable Energy Technologies Solar Power is most often used for Cottages and Remote Residences Mobile and Recreational Applications Agriculture Other (calculators, telecommunications equipment, highway construction signs, parking lights, and navigational warning signals) Solar power could satisfy up to 47% of residential electrical energy demand in major Canadian cities www.cansia.ca

Renewable Energy Technologies Biomass Energy comes from many different sources (at right), each with their own pros and cons. Burning garbage or landfill gas results in the release of emissions that could be harmful to the environment. www.canbio.ca

Renewable Energy Technologies

Renewable Energy Technologies Geothermal Energy comes from the natural heat of the centre of the Earth. Geothermal is being used for space heating in 30,000 locations in Canada (at right) but is also being produced for electricity in the United States, Italy, France, New Zealand, Mexico, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Russia, the Philippines, and Indonesia. www.geothermal.ca