1. Curriculum for the Bioregion Initiative’s Approach for Designing Integrative Sustainability Assignments “Big Idea” or concept in the discipline Sustainability context or “Big Idea” Integrative Assignment

2. A Lot!!!!!! Sustainability Buffet -- What's in a Definition? Modified from Laurie Webb, University of Vermont, Based on an activity used in the University of Vermont Sustainability Faculty Fellows workshop. Flint, W.R. 2010. Synesis: A Journal of Science, Technology, Ethics, and Policy, 1(1):T25-37 = Resources and Environment: Maintaining Systems: Natural and Social Temporal: Now into the Future Spatial: Local to Global Perspectives: Individual, Community and Cultural Learning Opportunities: Classroom to Community

3. What is Sustainability? From NASA Archives Long-term human sustainability through the maintenance of Earth’s natural ecosystems and natural resource systems. “can be compared with the concept of health – as health cannot be defined in precise terms, and yet, everyone has an idea about what health is and health is important for everyone” Holmberg and Samuelson 2006 in Mann 2011, p. 106 Sustainability – it is difficult to exactly define it.

4. What is Sustainability? From NASA Archives Many different definitions - people and their environment - well-being of future generations - well-being of people today What are Common Themes?

5. What is Sustainability? Sustainability Lens Sustainability = Norm = Normative Behavior? Norm = Widespread or usual practice, procedure or custom by which humans live.

6. People Child Survival Life Expectancy Education Equity Equal Opportunity Economy Wealth Productive Sectors Consumption Society Institutions Social Capital States Regions Nature Earth Biodiversity Ecosystems Life Support Ecosystem Services Resources Environment Community Cultures Groups Places What Is To Be Sustained? For How Long? 25 years “Now and in the future” Forever Linked By Only Mostly But And Or NRC- Board of Sustainable Development, 1999, Our Common Journey Sustainability – “Messy Problem” What Is To Be Developed? What is Sustainability?

7. Static Equilibrium Input = Output At Dynamic Equilibrium Changes in Input - Changes in Output = 0 Modify Input or Output Change in System = Change in Input - Change in Output Sustainability: A Systems Concept

8. Goal: Maintain our Financial Balance Sheet so Net Change (NC): I - 0 ≥ 0 Personal Capital “Resources” Input Output “Income Rate” “Expense Rate” Assets Sustainability: A Systems Concept

9. Goal: Maintain our Natural Assets Balance Sheet so Net Change (NC): I - 0 ≥ 0 Natural Capital “Resources” Input Output “Formation Rate” “Reproduction Rate” “Usage Rate” Natural Assets Perpetual Renewable Non-Renewable “Replacement Rate” Sustainability: An Example for Natural Capital NC ≥ 0 NC << 0

10. Human Needs Food Energy Water Education Life Support Systems E.G. AirWater Rocks and Minerals (Lithosphere) Biosphere Intersection of human needs and life support systems What is Sustainability?

11. Human Needs Food Energy Water Education Life Support Systems E.G. AirWater Rocks and Minerals (Lithosphere) Biosphere An energy focus, not a sustainability focus? Intersection of human needs and life support systems What is Sustainability? A water focus, not a sustainability focus?

12. Human Needs Food Energy Water Education Life Support Systems E.G. AirWater Rocks and Minerals (Lithosphere) Biosphere An energy focus and a sustainability focus Intersection of human needs and life support systems What is Sustainability?

13. Human Needs Food Energy Water Education Life Support Systems E.G. AirWater Rocks and Minerals (Lithosphere) Biosphere Nexus of Food, Water, Climate, etc. Intersection of human needs and life support systems What is Sustainability?

14. Geoscience and Grand Challenge Infusion into Sustainability Education

15. Environment (Life-Support) Economy (Human- Needs) Equity (Human- Needs) Sustainability requires recognition of Everything is Connected to Everything Else(ECEE) What is Sustainability? Human Sustainability and Development

16. The Business World is comfortable with: The three legged stool 3E’s Triple Bottom Line http://computingforsustainability.wordpress.com/2009/03/15/visualising-sustainability/ What is Sustainability?

17. The most critical goal of the 21st Century: Meeting the needs of people today and in the future Sustaining the life support systems of the planet NRC- Board of Sustainable Development, 1999, Our Common Journey What is Sustainability?