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Sustainability 101 Raintry Jean Salk, PhD Environmental Responsibility Chair S. Lucy Slinger, PhD Sustainability Majors Coordinator Overview Conceptual Foundation Local Examples How you can get involved Dialog Sustainability • Discourse: confusing & vague • Term came on the scene in the late 80s •Over 70 definitions of “sustainability” (Holmberg & Sandbrook, 1992; Pearce et al., 1989) • Since then… •Become overused in everyday discourse Adding to the Confusion • Sustainable development • “ • community “ living/lifestyle • “ design/innovation • “ energy • “ enterprise • “ growth • “ business/organizations/operations • “ … Adding to the Confusion, cont. ECOLOGICAL/ENVIROMENTAL: GREEN: • Eco/Env’l design • “ footprint • “ sustainability • “ efficiency • “ networks • Eco-friendly design • “ products • Green revolution • “ living • “ design • “ business • “ products • “ infrastructure Most commonly cited definition of “Sustainability” • Bruntland Commission, 1987 "meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” How is sustainability approached? 3 E’s/3 P’s People Planet Profit Sustainability Model: Ecological Economics Social Economic Political Ecological Adapted from Waddock, 2009 Framework to… • Evaluate our actions and behaviors • Make decisions • Caveat: Level of Scale • • • • Individual Organizational Community Global Sustain What, Whom, How? • What is being sustained? • ? Present condition • ? Future desired condition • ? Idealized • For whom is it being sustained? • How is it being sustained? • What should be sustained? Examples Gundersen Lutheran Health System • Envision Program • 100% energy independent by 2014 • Methane Gas project • La Crosse County • La Crosse landfill • Onalaska campus • Windfarm, Cashton • Organic Valley • 5% of energy independence goal • Installed a geothermal well field on La Crosse campus to help power our new hospital. • Other efforts: • Partnered with the Ho-Chunk Nation and Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center to create a healing garden on the La Crosse campus. It has a plaque that acknowledges the Ho-Chunk ancestors and their descendants who lived/live here • Recycled more than 600 tons of material last year not including construction. It saved the organization more than $81,000.00 • Construction projects have recycled/reused more than 97% of the waste stream associated with construction...more than 20,000 tons • Gundersen won a sixth elite level national award in a row, Practice Greenhealth's Environmental Leadership Circle award La Crosse County & City • 2009 Strategic Plan for Sustainability • Followed Natural Step Principles The Natural Step Principles 1. Eliminate our contribution to fossil fuel dependence and the wasteful use of scarce metals & minerals 2. Eliminate our contribution to dependence upon persistent chemicals and wasteful use of synthetic substances 3. Eliminate our contribution to encroachment upon nature (e.g., land, water, wildlife, forests, soil, ecosystems) 4. Meet human needs fairly and efficiently La Crosse County & City • 2009 Strategic Plan for Sustainability • Followed Natural Step Principles • Goals and Indicators • Examples: Internal & External • • • • • • Energy Use Water Use Land use Solid Waste Income Crime rate • Sustainability Indicators Report Kwik Trip Kwik Trip • All New and Rebuilt Stores LEED certified 18 complete, and 21 in process…. • Occupancy & Light Sensors • 16.2% Less Energy • Installing Energy Management Systems (E2) • 40% Less Water 10,600,000 Gallons saved to Date • Additional Windows for Day Lighting • Heat Recovery Water Heaters • 23% of Energy in Stores is for Lighting • Refrigeration Waste Heat Recovery • Piloting conversion from diesel to liquefied natural gas green fleet – 12 vehicles already in service • Use 50% Forest Stewardship Council Certified Lumber • All new stores built with electric car charging stations to promote green transportation • Recycling (75% or More) of Construction Waste • Using Concrete vs. Asphalt (Less Lighting & Heat) • Milk-In-A-Bag – 95% Reduction in Compacted Volume in Landfills & 75% Reduction in Package Weight • Electric Car Recharging Stations at All New Stores • Installation of compressed natural gas fueling stations in select stores • Cardboard (Recycle 100 Tons per Year) • Shrink Wrap (Recycle 20 Tons Per Year) • Purchase of Renewable Energy Sources • Purchase of natural gas truck fleet and Installation of compressed natural gas and liquid natural gas alternative fuel fueling station at La Crosse Campus To Protect and Heal God’s Creation St Francis Pledge - Care for Earth and the poor. Pray and reflect on the duty to care for God’s Creation and protect the poor and vulnerable. Learn about and educate others on the causes and moral dimensions of climate change. Assess how we-as individuals and in our families, parishes and other affiliations-contribute to climate change by our own energy use, consumption, waste, etc. Act to change our choices and behaviors to reduce the ways we contribute to climate change. Advocate for Catholic principles and priorities in climate change discussions and decisions, especially as they impact those who are poor and vulnerable. TIPS FOR REDUCING YOUR IMPACT Save Gas, Save Energy Keep your tires properly inflated. Every pound underinflation uses 6% more gas. And tune up your car. A poorly tuned car can use 25% more gas. Contemplation - reflecting on beauty of nature around you by spending time in It and simply being more aware of it as “gift” freely given. Gaze – Contemplate – Consider - Imitate Requesting the FSPA sisters to pray for it in Adoration Chapel – www.fspa.org Spiritual connectedness Reading and reflecting on art, literature - poetry – scripture, etc. nature focused Aesthetic appreciation DUTY TO CARE & PROTECT THE VULNERABLE Coulee Partners for Sustainability http://www.cpslax.org Calendar of Local Events Videos - “PlanEAT” Sun Come Up SWITCH Programs e.g. Green Expo Earth Fair for Earth Day Eco-park programs Discussion Courses e.g. A World of Health: Connecting People, Place Workshops – Hillview Urban Ag.Ctr and Planet Starts Nov 7th. Courses - Sustainability Degrees EDUCATE SELF & OTHERS CAUSE & MORALITY Ecological Footprint http://www.ecologicalfootprint.com Carbon Footprint http://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx Energy Use http://www.focusonenergy.com Buying Local Wisconsin Local Food Marketing Guide - Midwest Organic and ... mosesorganic.org/attachments/pro ductioninfo/08wimarketguide.pdf Biodiversity Nutrient cycling Solar energy HOW DO I CONTRIBUTE TO “ABUSE”OF EARTH? 1. Persuasion (Selling) & Encouragement (Informing) - oral, written, personal modeling 3. Political Action – any action to persuade an electorate, elected official or executive 2. Consumer Action Letting the dollar speak for you- pro-economic actions. 4. Legal Action – any coercive judicial/legal action taken by an individual and/or organization 5. Ecomanagement – Positive physical action by an individual or group that improves or maintains some part of the environment (ecosystem restoration) CONVERSION TO CARE ENOUGH TO REDUCE “ Democracy is not, after all, a spectator sport.” Keith Melville. KNOW & SHARE THE CONNECTION OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND IMPACT ON THE POOR. Sustainability at Gundersen Lutheran Consider the Social, Environmental, and Economic impact of delivering care to our patients, their families, and the communities we serve. The Spiritual or Core Values are what inspire us, beyond ourselves, to excellence. Social Economic Environmental Spiritual/Core Values Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rethink… Balance