Sustainable Development Application

Thirty (30) years ago, there was a tremendous sense of optimism -- science and technology would solve all the world's problems. If we can get a man on the moon, then we can do anything! Things are very different now. Global warming, deforestation, loss of soil fertility, pollution, chemical contamination, loss of biodiversity, overpopulation, the hole in the ozone layer -- all are having their effect upon life on Earth. The Nature of the problem can be summarized by the following, as also demonstrated by the simple graph to the left. The demand for resources is continuing to increase. This is being driven not only by an increasing world population, but also by the aspirations of that population for an ever increasing standard of living. At the same time, the capacity of the planet to meet this demand is in decline through over harvesting, inappropriate agricultural practices, and pollution, to name just a few. These impacts on Earth are occurring because humans are not in line with the natural world principles described above.

The work of Five E's Unlimited demonstrates how sustainable development can serve as the foundation for education, planning, natural resource management, community development, coastal zone policy formulation, urban revitalization, integrated watershed research, residential design and building construction, sound economic development and equal opportunities for all people.

Check out the following areas where we can help you implement your projects in a sustainable way and click on the appropriate link at the left to find out more about sustainability application in your area of interest.

• Communities And Sustainability
• Steps Toward Sustainable Communities
• Turning Theory Into Action
• Environmental Management Systems
• Environmentally Sustainable Management System
• Life Cycle Analysis
• The Natural Step (TNS) System Conditions
• Anatomy of Sustainable Decision-Making
• Triple Bottom Line

You will also find a great deal of information on these topic areas in our Sustainability Manifesto. So click on this link and check it out.

It is most important to recognize the fact that sustainability is not strictly a problem of science, engineering, or economics, but is also founded on values, ethics, and the equal contributions of different cultures. Additionally, all members of the community have a shared future; they are dependent on each other in ways that are both complex and profound. Thus, ideals of preservation and protection on the one hand, and of economic vitality and opportunity on the other, are not in conflict, but rather in a sustainable future they are linked together. And, we recognize our ability to see the needs of the future is limited; therefore, any attempt to define sustainability should remain as open and flexible as possible, through the guidance of adaptive management. The workings of The Natural Step instruct us on how to think about taking sustainable action by describing the A-B-C-D strategy.

• Awareness that society is presently trying to push beyond natural limits.
• Baseline establishment to test whether we are meeting the basic System Conditions.
• Create a clear, compelling vision of where we want to go.
• Get Down to action in taking steps to achieve our defined goals for sustainability.