For Your Information (FYI):
Roots and Realities of Sustainability
ENVIR 450 A
Autumn 2009
What is sustainability?
Definitions of Sustainability:
- The property of being sustainable (Wordnet).
- Meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (Brundtland Commission).
- Improving the quality of human life while living within the carrying capacity of supporting eco-systems (UNEP)
Sustainability is one of those terms, like liberal or democracy, whose definition depends on who you ask. Some say sustainability is overused and therefore meaningless, while others contend sustainability is the panacea - the one term that defines progressive action for the 21st Century.
In For Your Information (FYI), we take a hard look at the concept of sustainability. In the first half of FYI, an emphasis is placed on the science, politics, and possibilities of sustainability. We explore how the idea sustainability came to be, what it means, and how it works in practice.
In the second part of FYI, student research teams are organized to help the University of Washington be more sustainable. The mission of the teams is to investigate, synthesize, and report on one aspect of sustainability on the UW campus. In other words, in FYI, you don’t just learn about sustainability, you make it happen.
Course learning objectives
- Understand the interrelated definitions of sustainability and how each is bound by opportunities and constraints.
- Understand the historical roots of sustainability.
- Filter and synthesize information into accessible, audience specific, formats.
- Understand packaging and communicating information effectively.
- Have the knowledge to implement the principles of sustainability into an organization or business.
Previous student projects
In the spring of 2009, five student teams focused on water issues on the UW campus. These projects were outlined in the Spring 2009 FYI Final Report:
- Exploring water use and solutions at the IMA
- Understanding how personal care products, such as soap and makeup, affect UW students
- Understanding and identifying stormwater "hot spots" on the UW campus
- Bottled water: costs and sustainable solutions
- Green roofs, stormwater, and UW water operations
Questions?
- Contact Jason Scullion at: scullion@u.washington.edu