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This entire discussion reminds me of t he pornography issue from the 1970’s and the US Supreme Court justice wh o remarked ‘I can’t define pornography, but I know it when I see it’.
Any definition of sustainability that uses the term ‘zero impact’ is clearly based upon magical thinking a nd a misunderstanding of environmental relationships.
Definitions that involve ‘minimi zing environmental impact’ come closer; the problem is that it isn’t possible to know all of the environmental impacts of an action or inaction. As an example: which has an overall lower environmental impact: shipping nonhazardous waste to a TSDF or dumping the waste down the drain? Driving a ‘clunker’ or a new Pious, err, Prius?
If the better decision was obvious, it would be much easier to select.
From: DCHAS-L
Discussion List [mailto:
Sent: Thursday, September 10
, 2009
12:41 PM
To:
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L]
sustainability definition
From: "Dr
Henry" <henryb**At_Symbol_Here**itt.edu>
Date: September 10, 2009 1:16:27 PM EDT
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] sustainability definition
The real definition:
Sustainability is a relationship, or balancing act,
Georgia Tech Research Institute
The concept of sustainability refers to our ability to operate
between factors which are constantly changing.
Like "family values," everyone agrees that sustainability
is a good thing, but no one agrees on what exactly it is,
or even more significantly, how to achieve it and how
to know when we have achieved it.
http://maven.gtri
.gatech.edu/sfi/bes/faq.html
A practical meaning:
efficiently and productively while minimizing our negative impact
on the environment. Seeking the best balance between the demands
of doing business and the need to protect the environment can be
challenging.
Martin Madaus, PhD, Millipore's CEO
http://www.
millipore.com/sustainability/eco3/vision
Dr.Henry A. Boyter Jr.
Director of Research
NC
919-513-7704
http://www.itt.edu
"Ride, boldly ride,"
The shade replied,--
"If you seek for Eldorado!"