How to make a complicated problem out of a simple solution

Transcription

1 How to make a complicated problem out of a simple solution 1

2 Sustainability: A simple solution for complicated problems! 2

3 I don t like the word sustainable. It sounds so retro. Unknown

4 to sustain Latin sustinere (tenere, to hold; sus, up) to maintain, to support, to endure 4

5 sustainable thinking Hanns Carl von Carlowitz

6 Sustainability is an empty word bubble with no or little meaning or substance an important concept but as abstract as liberty or justice another word for environmental or ecologic WRONG 6

7 It is a serious but simple problem We know fairly precisely how the world population will grow. We know very precisely how much food, water, energy, housing etc. we will need for our future children. We know exactly that we are not able to feed them unless we get some smart ideas how to solve this problem. We also know that this huge number of human beings will increasingly strain this planet. But we still behave like brainless locusts. 7

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9 Unlimited growth on our limited world is not possible We will soon have reached our limits. We have to do something. And something can be done. Club of Rome 1972 Limits of Growth 9

10 Unlimited growth on our limited world is not possible today we have 1.8 ha/ human being 2050 we will have 1.2 ha/ human being today we needed 2.3 ha/ human being Europeans use 4.7 ha/ human being 10

11 It is a serious but simple problem already now! as an example every hour 300 children die because they have no access to clean water 11

12 Who is to blame? 12

13 What kind of world do we leave for our children? We don t own the world, we have only borrowed it from our children 13

14 Who is to blame? 14

15 Resolution 38/161; Process of preparation of the environmental perspective to the year 2000 and beyond The General Assembly 8. Suggests that the Special Commission ( ) should focus mainly on the following terms of reference for its work: a. To propose long term environmental strategies for achieving sustainable development to the year 2000 and beyond; b. To recommend ways in which concern for the environment may be translated into greater co operation among developing countries and between countries at different stages of economic and social development and lead to the achievement of common and mutually supportive objectives which take account of the interrelationships between people, resources, environment and development; c. To consider ways and means by which the international community can deal more effectively with environmental concerns ( ) d. To help to define shared perceptions of long term environmental issues and of appropriate efforts needed to deal successfully with the problems of protecting and enhancing the environment, ( ) 15

16 United Nations Definition of sustainable development Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the abilities of future generations to meet their own needs. It contains within two key concepts: 1. The concept of needs in particular the essential needs of the world s poor ( ) and 2. The idea of limitation imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the environment s ability to meet present and future needs. Brundtland report Our Common Future welcomed by the UN General Assembly in its resolution 42/187 and published by Oxford University Press in

17 United Nations Brundtland Report 3 column strategy Integrating environmental, social and economic requirements in every planning process. Accepting global responsibility for environmental effects outside areas of jurisdiction. Decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation. Intergenerational equity providing future generations with the same environmental potential as presently exists. Preventing irreversible long term damage to ecosystems and human health. Ensuring environmental adaptability and resilience maintaining and enhancing the adaptive capacity of the environmental system. Ensuring distribution equity avoiding unfair or high environmental costs on vulnerable populations. 17

18 3 column theory economy ecology society 18

19 3 column theory economy ecology society WRONG 19

20 3 column theory economy ecology society 20

21 Metatrend Ideologic mass production Materialistic mass consumption Idealistic individual use Unsustainable development 21

22 A simple solution, let s make it a complicated problem The battle of the isms Capitalism Socialism Ecoism Egoism Activism =avoid action 22

23 eco ego theory economy society ecology WRONG 23

24 eco ego theory economy society ecology 24

25 3 ego theory economy ecology society 25

26 3 ego theory economy ecology society 26

27 3 ego theory economy ecology society 27

28 correlation between economic growth and environmental degradation economy grows ecology declines 28

29 correlation between economic growth and environmental degradation economy declines ecology grows 29

30 coupling environmental and economic growth economy ecology 30

31 the concept of waste The modern human being is the only species on earth that produces waste. Humans are the only species that takes from the soil vast quantities of nutrients needed for biological processes but rarely puts them back in a usable form McDonough & Braungart, Cradle to Cradle p96 31

32 the concept of waste To eliminate the concept of waste means to design things products, packaging and systems from the very beginning on the understanding that waste does not exist. McDonough & Braungart, Cradle to Cradle p104 32

33 the concept of waste the concept of waste is the concept of wasting values: Financial values Social values Cultural values Ecologic values. Sustainability is the concept of no waste. 33

34 linear product cycle thinking resource production consumption waste 34

35 from linear to circular thinking use production resource production consumption waste 35

36 from operational to sustainable thinking years short term operational product 0 1 year mid term planning project 0 5 years long term operational process 20 0 years anticipatory ethical sustainable years 36

37 Hannover Principles Bill of Rights for the Planet Insist on the right of humanity and nature to coexist in a healthy, supportive, diverse and sustainable condition. 1/3 Recognise interdependence. The elements of human design interact with and depend on the natural world, with broad and diverse implications at every scale. Expand design considerations to recognizing even distant effects. Respect relationsships between spirit and matter. Consider all aspects of human settlement including community, dwelling, industry, and trade in terms of existing and evolving connections between spiritual and material consciousness. design guidelines developed for the World s fair 2000 / William McDonnough Architects

38 Hannover Principles Bill of Rights for the Planet Accept responsibility for the consequences of design decisions upon human wellbeing, the viability of natural systems, and their right to co exist. 2/3 Create safe objects to long term value. Do not burden future generations with requirements for maintenance or vigilant administration of potential danger due to the careless creations of products, processes, or standards. Eliminate the concept of waste. Evaluate and optimize the full life cycle of products and processes, to approach the state of natural systems in which there is no waste. Rely on natural energy flows. Human designs should, like the living world, derive their creative forces from perpetual solar income. Incorporate this energy efficiently and safely for responsible use. design guidelines developed for the World s fair 2000 / William McDonnough Architects

39 Hannover Principles Bill of Rights for the Planet Understand the limitations of design. 3/3 No human creation lasts forever and design does not solve all problems. Those who create and plan should practice humility in the face of nature. Treat nature as model and mentor, not an inconvenience to be evaded or controlled. Seek constant improvements by sharing knowledge. Encourage direct and open dialogue between colleagues, patrons, manufacturers and users to link long term sustainable considerations with ethical responsibility and reestablish the integral relationsship between natural processes and human activity. design guidelines developed for the World s fair 2000 / William McDonnough Architects

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41 The CO2 problem 41

42 CO2 Emission Power production 8,4% 29,6% Industrial production 9,1% Mobility 20,7% Residential 12,9% Land use and biomass burning Fossil fuel processing 19,3% 42

43 Non sustainable CO2 The problem about CO2 is the fact that we Facit: a. produce too much and b. waste it. By non sustainable thinking we risk the existence of the human race. 43

44 Sustainable CO2 CO2 as such is one reason, why the average temperature on this planet is +15 C instead of 18 C. Chemically there is nothing wrong with CO2. CO2 could be a valuable resource e.g. to produce polycarbonat. The problem solving is on the way: CCS Technology Carbon Capture and Sequestration available as industrial technology not before 2020 price per t at the moment 75 marketable below 20 Possible reduction of CO2 emission: 90%!!!!! 44

45 How much petrol do we leave for our children? 45

46 Energy crisis Gb/y! 50! 40! 30! 20! 10! 0! 1930! 1950! 1970! 1990! 2010! 2030! 2050! known reserves consumption estimated reserves consumption development source British Petroleum 46

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48 Non sustainable energy crisis Today s centralized energy supply system is basing on the oligopolistic economic system of the early 19th century. The energy industry claims that regenerative energy will never be able to replace fossil and nuclear energy. The truth is: They can t do it but it could be done. 48

49 Non sustainable energy crisis Today s centralized energy supply system will break down. The price of the resources will increase dramatically. The costs to maintain the power transmission lines will rise. The costs to build new power plants will exceed the expected profits. The costs to build down old nuclear power plants will eat up all profits. The costs to deposit nuclear waste will become unmanageable. The price for tradionally produced energy will have to rise beyond reasonable limits. The energy users will look increasingly for new, cheaper, cleaner and independent alternatives. This process has begun. 49

50 A sustainable solution for an unsustainable system? 50

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52 Sustainable Energy Example Michelin French producer of tyres has build the worldwide biggest photovoltaic roof installation MWp energy for households per year reduction of 1.650t CO2 52

53 A sustainable solution for a sustainable system: The individual power plant. 53

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55 Big Business Sustainability Project Washing Machine Price 600 Life span 10 years washings 0.24 /wash 35g/wash 2 /kg 0.o6 /wash 1kW/wash 0.38 /wash 45l/wash to earn more reduce life span increase price reduce efficiency increase price reduce efficiency increase price reduce efficiency increase price 55

56 Big Business Sustainability Project Washing Machine g/wash 1kW/wash 45l/wash 0.68 /wash to earn more longer life span reuse material increase efficiency reduce consumption reduce consumption 56

57 Sustainable tourism an illusion? 57

58 Sustainable Tourism Definition Sustainable tourism is where tourists can enjoy their holiday and at the same time respect the culture of people and also respect the environment. It also means that local people (such as the Masaai) get a fair say about tourism and also receive some money from the profit which the game reserve make. The environment is being damaged quite a lot by tourists and part of Sustainable tourism is to make sure that the damaging does not carry on. STUPID Source Wikipedia

59 Tourism Tourism is an international system of exchange at the heart of globalisation As such it works like fuel: It is energy that enables mobility. But it also produces a cultural climate change. How can we avoid an unwanted cultural polution and turn the production of cultural waste into a valuable and sustainable resource? Source Wikipedia

60 The United Nations World Tourism Organisation Sustainable Tourism Definition Sustainable tourism is tourism that meets the needs of present tourists and host regions while protecting and enhancing opportunity for the future. Rather than being a type of product, it is an ethos that underpins all tourism activities. As such, it is integral to all aspects of tourism development and management rather than being an add on component. The objective of sustainable tourism is to retain the economic and social advantages of tourism development while reducing or mitigating any undesirable impacts on the natural, historic, cultural or social environment. This is achieved by balancing the needs of tourists with those of the destination. 60

61 Rovaniemi Principles Code of sustainable tourism Insist on the right of humanity and nature to coexist in a healthy, supportive, diverse and sustainable condition. 1/3 Recognise interdependence. Tourism interacts with and depends on the natural world and cultural diversity, with broad and diverse implications at every scale. Expand measures of tourism to recognizing even distant effects. Respect relationsships between spirit and matter. Consider all aspects of human settlement including community, dwelling, mobility, and trade in terms of existing and evolving connections between spiritual and material consciousness. Draft based on the Hannover principles, Bill of Rights for the Planet by William McDonnough Architects

62 Rovaniemi Principles Code of sustainable tourism Accept responsibility for the consequences of tourism upon human well being, the viability of natural systems, and their right to co exist. 2/3 Create safe objects to long term value. Do not burden future generations with requirements for maintenance or restoring of culture or environment due to the careless exploitation of routes and destinations through tourism. Eliminate the concept of waste. Evaluate and optimize the full life cycle of products and processes, to approach the state of natural systems in which there is no waste. Respect climatic peculiarities. Tourism should not contribute unnecessarily and irresponsibly to the climat change or its consequences. Draft based on the Hannover principles, Bill of Rights for the Planet by William McDonnough Architects

63 Rovaniemi Principles Code of sustainable tourism Understand the limitations of tourism. 3/3 Those who are tourists or live of tourism should practice humility in the face of culture and nature. Treat them as model and mentor, not an inconvenience to be evaded or controlled. Seek constant improvements by sharing knowledge. Encourage direct and open dialogue between tourists, tour operators, hosts and local communities to link long term sustainable considerations with ethical responsibility and reestablish the integral relationsship between natural processes, cultural premisses and human activity. Draft based on the Hannover principles, Bill of Rights for the Planet by William McDonnough Architects

64 Thank you for your attention 64