The Path to Planning for Sustainability

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2 The Path to Planning for Sustainability 1. Develop a shared understanding and vocabulary of Sustainability and Planning for Sustainability 2. Generate a personal rationale for sustainability in your community 3. Become inspired and hopeful about contributing to the shift toward a sustainable future through planning, in your community

3 MENTAL MODELS (paradigms/frames) Mental models are representations of reality that people use to understand the world They are formed and reformed over time by experiences, beliefs, values, and perceptions

4 Characteristics of Mental Models They are incomplete and constantly evolving They are usually not accurate representations of a phenomenon; they typically contain errors and contradictions They often contain measures of uncertainty about their validity that allow them to be used even if incorrect

5 How Do They Effect Us and the World Around Us? They drive: Designs, Rules, Strategies, and Behaviors The Cloud Institute for Sustainability Education Do not distribute without express permission of the author.

6 Classic Mental Models Titanic Syndrome There isn t enough to go around (assumption of scarcity). Therefore, if we re going down, we may as well go 1 st class! The Cloud Institute for Sustainability Education Do not distribute without express permission of the author.

7 Classic Mental Models Bummer Things are the way they are and there is nothing I/we can do about it. The Cloud Institute for Sustainability Education Do not distribute without express permission of the author.

8 Classic Mental Models The Social Trap If others do it, I may as well OR If no one else is doing it, why should I? (What IS true if one person does it is NOT true if everyone does it.) The Cloud Institute for Sustainability Education Do not distribute without express permission of the author.

9 Classic Mental Models Maximizing Gains for Self (The "invisible hand leads all individuals, in pursuit of their own self-interests, to produce the greatest benefit for society as a whole. This market mechanism was described in 1776 by Adam Smith in The Wealth of Nations.) My responsibility is to myself and my family. I will take care of us you take care of you! The Cloud Institute for Sustainability Education Do not distribute without express permission of the author.

10 Classic Mental Models Theory of Confidence The market, technology, or someone/something will take care of it. The Cloud Institute for Sustainability Education Do not distribute without express permission of the author.

11 Copyright Ed Clerico, 2007 Simple Logic Why do we produce potable water to carry our waste? Why do we light and ventilate unoccupied rooms? Why do we produce energy from scarce resources, and in a manner whereby much is discarded?

12 The key is finding affordable effective systems and practices that fit each specific case Ecology as Infrastructure Carriage Farm Reduced impervious cover Reduce water demand 43% Organic land management integrated pest management Filter surface water runoff Groundwater recharge at preexisting conditions Improved biodiversity Local food production 46% lower energy consumption Ground source heat pump Natural ventilation Daylighting 85% waste landfill diversion Recycled content and resource reuse Indoor air quality low voc, high filtration

13 Integrating Functional Systems Rain Garden Organic Hay Grass Fed Beef Geothermal Heat Pump Solar Photovoltaic Panels

14 Urban Systems Taking advantage of high density characteristics and the benefits of concentrated human activity Tear Drop Park Vegetated Roof River House

15 Linear vs. Integrated Systems

16 Segregated Systems Approach Is Not Sustainable Water Wastewater Stuff Communit y Solid Waste Food Biosolids /

17 Systems Segregation and Fragmentation Creates Inadequate Function Linear Segmented Approach Adds energy at each step Depletes resources on supply side Contaminates environment on disposal side Stuff Food Water Communit y (35%) Wastewater Solid Waste Biosolids

18 Functional System Integration Integrated Systems Reduce and Reuse Add less energy at each step and extract energy post consumer use Use less natural resources on production side Release less contaminants to environment on post consumer side Stuff Food Water Nonpotable Water Reuse Natural Resource Recycling Communit y (80%) Nutrient Recycling WasteW Solid Waste BioSolids

19 NJ APA Sustainability Planning Guidance Document Purpose: to provide municipal officials, planning consultants, and residents with an informative, clear, and user friendly guide to updating the comprehensive municipal master plan with language to support sustainability goals. Process: 1) Define Sustainability for your community; 2) Create a Shared Vision; 3) Provide incentives to encourage businesses and residents to implement sustainable practices; and 4) Monitor actions to ensure sustainable practices are enacted. Plan: 1) brief description of each topic, 2) why we should care about the topic as a sustainability issue, 3) the key concepts for updating the plan element with sustainability language, 4) sample goals and objectives for a community s sustainable master plan element(s), and 5) additional resources where a community may go to find out more information on the topic.

20 Land Use Conservation Housing Open Space & Recreation Historic / Cultural Resources Economic Development Two Methods Update the existing Master Plan for sustainability, in these areas Agriculture Viability Circulation Utilities / Facilities Recycling / Waste Management Green Building OR

21 Could address The Integrated Master Plan Production & Conservation Land Use Waste Reduction & Recycling Water Resources Transportation Green Building Design Other Sustainability Topics Health & Wellness Community Involvement Light Pollution Habitat Restoration

22 Contact Information Angela Clerico Alliance Environmental, LLC 2 Clerico Lane, Suite 210 Hillsborough, NJ aclerico@allianceenvironmentalllc.com