Archive for November, 2009

What Do Sustainable Communities Have In Them?

Monday, November 30th, 2009

I have to create a model of a sustainable communities and i don’t know what to include
Any suggestions?

Nuclear is not clean nor sustainable nor cost-effective

Monday, November 23rd, 2009


Image taken on 2007-11-18 15:05:10 by Pepeketua.

Challenges and Mitigation Plans in Sustainability Implementation

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

Sustainability is still in a premature stage and this is especially true for developing countries. There are common challenges that many people need to consider during the implementation of the concept. This article will explore these challenges and give suggestions on how to mitigate them. The challenges can be separated into three areas, namely internal, client, and government.

Internal challenges and mitigation

Internal challenge is the first thing that you need to face before you start implementing sustainability further. After all, if you do not clean up your backyard first, how you can convince other people to do the same. The common challenges from internal perspective are lack of support, lack of knowledge, and “more works” attitude.

The first thing that you need to do before implementing sustainability in your organization is to gain top management support and commitment. Without this support and commitment, sustainability implementation will not achieve a successful outcome. This may sound easy, but the reality can be different. It is important for you to explore the benefits of sustainability for the organization. Then you need to explain these benefits in term of economic value whenever possible. This is the best way to convince your top management to approve the implementation.

Sometimes, even if top management has agreed to implement the concept, the problem is nobody understand how to do it. Lack of knowledge is a big issue, especially because sustainability concept is relatively new for many people. In this case, you need to prepare awareness programs to increase the knowledge and understanding of people in your organization. You need to explain implicitly the necessity of sustainability for the organization as well as the earth in general. You also can give external trainings to certain people so they can support you to implement the concept.

Another problem is “more works” attitude. When people hear that the organization will implement a new concept, the first thing that comes to their mind is I have to do more works because of this. Again your awareness programs should be able to tackle this issue as long as you can explain the importance of sustainability. Another strategy is to make a sustainability performance review. For example, people who have a good performance in terms of sustainability implementation will receive financial reward or other benefits.

Client challenges and mitigation

Clients can become a huge source of challenges, especially in construction industry, because they are the ones who pay for your service. The common challenges from client side are cost and cynicism. Sometimes it is very difficult to convince clients to spend more initial investment for sustainability implementation. You can mitigate this problem by explaining the benefit of sustainability in terms of life-cycle cost. You need to make them understand that sustainability will bring benefits in the long run. Another strategy is to show previous case studies and what they have achieved because of their sustainability commitment.

Government challenges and mitigation

The challenges related with government are lack of regulation and enforcement concerning sustainability, sustainability is still in premature stage and not a priority because to some countries, they may have more urgent issues. Actually, this situation can become an opportunity for you. You can attract government attention because of your sustainability implementation. You can collaborate with them and become a good example, which will increase your organization marketing value significantly. Another opportunity is to become the first in something sustainable. For example, the first building to have solar panel, the first zero carbon neutral organization, the first green certified office, etc.

Sustainable Wealth: Achieve Financial Security in a Volatile World of Debt and Consumption

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

Product Description
A personal finance guide for today’s turbulent world Sustainable Wealth empowers you to achieve your financial goals by unleashing the shackles of debt, no matter how uncertain the future may be. Filled with in-depth insights and practical advice, this reliable resource illustrates how you can predict economic booms and busts before they happen, adapt to changing markets and plan for lasting financial stability. Over the course of his career, Axel Merk has b… More >>

Sustainable Wealth: Achieve Financial Security in a Volatile World of Debt and Consumption

The Sustainable Spirit

Friday, November 6th, 2009

Dawn is just top of the ridge of the mountain as you walk in silence until his favorite place, a perch where you can see – is not seen by other hikers. Here, the position of himself to meditate. The painting of the golden rays of the rocks and trees with the brilliance of its own energy. You get to cover in sight. Suddenly, you feel as if his spirit leaves the body and becomes part of the world around you. Then, as suddenly, we are back into your skin, wondering what happened. You had a transcendental experience, leaving this coil "mortal" to join with all that is the universe, to become one with creation. Fear is an inspirational experience that can last only a moment, but leaves its impact on life. If you are lucky to have had an experience similar to this, she had a vision of the world as it really is … where everything is connected to everything else. As Martin Luther King said, "we are all involved in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny …" This is the basic principle of sustainability, understanding that humans are not masters of land. We are part and connected to everything that exists. When we understand this basic concept, everything we do in the pursuit of sustainability becomes almost obvious. The SustainablyWhy think we need at this moment in history to worry about sustainability? For many scientists, economists and sociologists, is increasingly evident that human beings have been sowing the seeds of its own extinction. Many believe that unless immediate remedial action, civilization and humanity headed for a global catastrophe. According to the World Resources Institute, at least 3. 5 billion people, the current population of over half the world is expected to experience water scarcity by 2025. As the population continues to grow, the world's fisheries and agricultural productivity is declining. Global warming threatens to raise sea levels and drying of water resources worldwide. Meanwhile, the atmosphere of the heating generates highly variable climate, with devastating storms, snowstorms in the south, heat waves in the North and the paradoxical possibility of a new ice age. Economic disparity is growing worldwide. Today, a few hundred billionaires control more wealth than all the people in the 45 poorest countries. Political unrest, religious fanaticism and ongoing conflicts destroy the environment, the lives and communities. While these are not new phenomena, the technology has become global in its effects. As indicated in the Chinese curse, we live in interesting times. And that is why there is renewed interest in the sustainability of worldwide distribution. To Be or Not To Be … SustainableApparently, it seems that there is some controversy and misunderstanding about the long-term sustainability. It is always politicized, first by those who either do not understand what it means or who feel threatened by their ideas. Simply put, sustainability means the capacity to endure, to continue to exist in his chosen state. To be sustainable, it is necessary to evaluate the conditions under which one lives and limiting the choice makes your life needs these conditions. To be sustainable, we must take only what they need and preserve the resources and capabilities necessary to ensure that future generations can thrive. We must work together to create economies of strong, healthy communities and a protected natural environment. We are living within the carrying capacity of Earth? We are taking only what the earth can offer the time? We who contribute positively to our communities and the natural environment? The answer to these questions will determine what kind of future we leave to those who follow us. There are lessons to be learned from sustainability every day … if you pay attention to the natural world around us. NatureAll learn about life as we know it on Earth live within a "closed system. "Nothing enters the Earth system in measurable quantities, except sunlight. The seeds for new life comes from existing life. All plants, animals, insects and humans obtain their food and water on Earth. After each life cycle owes everything to the ground to support the future. This is the life cycle, and is bound by physical laws can not be broken. The life cycle of all living things link together. We depend on each other, all living and our survival. However, knowing that we need a healthy natural environment and a continuous cycle of life, human beings are the only species that actively works to break the cycle of life. To build our modern societies, we have natural resources, use and then dispose of as waste. During this linear process generated all kinds of pollution. The result is that, unlike other species in nature, reduced natural resources, destroy natural habitats and, consequently, threaten our very existence. Finding the balance: the economic, community, EnvironmentIn nature, strive for balance or homeostasis within their ecosystems. Take time to sit and watch a tree, a creek or in any natural area. You'll find it full of life, even in desert areas. Within an ecosystem of small size, you can see the interdependence of life in action. The plants grow together to help all the waters of the gain and soil minerals. Insects, birds and animals find food and shelter among the plants. You will notice that there is no waste. Anything that serves as food for the rest. Everywhere you look there is a natural balance that continues to be surprised by some external force. Then, each system, together with its components of the life, works to restore balance. To be sustainable, we must think holistically and work together to find a balance within ourselves, our families, our economy, our communities and the natural environment. Let's start with the economy. Note that is the same root, ECO, the Greek for the home or in which we live. Means managing the economy in which we live. This means that the judicious use of resources to sustain life. In today's society, we believe the economy in terms of dollar inflows. That is not our economy. It only vaguely to measure our economy. Genuine Progress Indicators measure how well we're doing. For more information, visit www Redefining Progress. rprogress. org. So, to start making money balance with our economy, we must think differently and to measure progress differently. How do we know when our economy is improving? Certainly not for the gross domestic product (GDP), which records only the flow of dollars. We know that measurable improvements in our quality of life. The children are healthy and doing well in school? Not all children have access to quality education? People who work earn decent wages? Affordable housing is good for everyone? It is clean and healthy air to breathe? They are the elderly and the sick? Water is abundant and safe to drink? The communities are healthy and safe from crime and war? More people working, using less energy and materials to create more value for society? In each of these questions are fabulous opportunities. When answering these questions is yes, then we are beginning to produce a healthy and balanced economy. Connecting with the participation, SupportingStrengthening communities begins with understanding our connections with each other. We are all more alike than we are different. Knowing this allows us to celebrate our differences so that they enrich our lives. Knowing that we all share a dress "one destination" can take us to overcome old antagonisms and to work for the common good. Together as good neighbors, we are able to devise a collective vision and develop the will to achieve it. Healthy and balanced communities requires a commitment. We have to be involved with others at different levels of our society, according to our interests and our talents. Some of us can be great for organizing meetings for the neighborhood. Others may feel the need for volunteers at the local school or a civic group. There are the natural political among us, who represent us in the Council. Each of us can become informed and vote. Restore and preserve our natural environment is fundamental to sustainability. Learning the lessons of nature, we are able to integrate more closely into the cycle of life in which everything that contributes to the whole and nothing is wasted. We can all do simple things. Eat lower on the food chain. Local production of fruit, vegetables and grains of the earth take less processed foods. Make shorter showers. Get out your car and walk or bike. Form a carpool and use public transport when you can. Learn about conservation and living a simple life more rewarding. Stay ContactOur modern life have evolved in our communities and the natural world. We have the ability and the need to re-engage for our welfare and that of everyone on the planet. Connected, each can do our part, and as we all become stronger and more vibrant. So the time. Make significant contact with those around you. Supporting those in need. Share your feelings about today's problems and their dreams for tomorrow. Contribute their talents and good deeds for the real economy that benefits everyone. Back to Nature. Learn from it. Find that special place for you, where you can become one with everything around. We can awaken within himself the power of sustainable spirit.