Environmental Sustainability “…meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (Brundtland Commission, 1983)

Four Domains of Sustainability  Social  Economic m Formal and informal economies  Environmental, and  Institutional m Policy and capacity issues

Is it an “anthropogenic” issue? Industry  Release of gases and dust into the atmosphere.  Waste disposal practices.  Air pollution, water pollution. Agriculture  Conversion of woodlands into fields and pastures including slash-and-burn techniques.  Diversion of surface and groundwater.  Ground water salinization due to inadequate drainage.  Pollution of soil and water by chemicals found in fertilizer and pesticides.  dirty or unclean water Mining  Removal of topsoil and creation of spoil piles.  Diversion of groundwater by mine shafts.  Surface runoff bearing mining wastes.  Release of air pollution by refining processes.

Transportation  Diversion of surface water flow by roadways.  Vehicular air pollution.  Roadway noise, aircraft noise and transit noise. Construction  Removal of natural habitats by grading and building  Diversion of groundwater.  Filling in marshes, baylands, swamps, ponds, stream beds. Habitations  Concentration of human activities in discrete zones.  Concentration of waste products, sewage, and debris.

Environmental / Social Responsibility Moral Perspectives  Environmental Ethics m Ecological approach m Deep Ecology  Blackstone’s Ethics of “Rights” m Environmental approach m Absolute rights  Utilitarian Perspective m Market approach m Internal / External Costs

Environmental / Social Responsibility  Three areas of concerns 1. Pollution 2. Depletion 3. Poverty  The Extent of impact and possibilities of recourse are economically correlated  Prevention  Stewardship  ESI (Environmental Sustainability Index)

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