TY - JOUR
T1 - Sustainable principles: common values for achieving sustainability
AU - Lindsey, Timothy C.
PY - 2011
Y1 - 2011
N2 - While there seems to be considerable consensus that a more sustainable society is in the best interest of everyone, opinions regarding what sustainability really means and how to achieve it are as diverse as the entities striving for it. With so many opinions and definitions circulating with respect to sustainability, the need exists for a set of core principles that can be applied evenly across all segments of society and disciplines. If we can establish universal principles associated with the development and implementation of a more sustainable society, it could help provide a consistent framework for human effectiveness in achieving sustainability. Three descriptions of such “sustainable principles” are described in this paper. These principles are rooted in the time-tested techniques associated with pollution prevention. They focus on developing and implementing better systems that reduce wastefulness through improved quality of products, processes and systems. By following these principles we can optimize resource utilization across all system components for the entire life cycle of the systems. In doing so, we will improve the sustainability of our ecosystems, production capabilities, community resources and human resources. Considerable educational resources already exist with respect to these principles. If we can apply them to sustainability issues, we can teach the skills and methods required for a more sustainable society.
AB - While there seems to be considerable consensus that a more sustainable society is in the best interest of everyone, opinions regarding what sustainability really means and how to achieve it are as diverse as the entities striving for it. With so many opinions and definitions circulating with respect to sustainability, the need exists for a set of core principles that can be applied evenly across all segments of society and disciplines. If we can establish universal principles associated with the development and implementation of a more sustainable society, it could help provide a consistent framework for human effectiveness in achieving sustainability. Three descriptions of such “sustainable principles” are described in this paper. These principles are rooted in the time-tested techniques associated with pollution prevention. They focus on developing and implementing better systems that reduce wastefulness through improved quality of products, processes and systems. By following these principles we can optimize resource utilization across all system components for the entire life cycle of the systems. In doing so, we will improve the sustainability of our ecosystems, production capabilities, community resources and human resources. Considerable educational resources already exist with respect to these principles. If we can apply them to sustainability issues, we can teach the skills and methods required for a more sustainable society.
KW - ISTC
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2010.10.014
U2 - 10.1016/j.jclepro.2010.10.014
DO - 10.1016/j.jclepro.2010.10.014
M3 - Article
VL - 19
SP - 561
EP - 565
JO - Improving the Health of the Public, Workers and the Environment:Twenty Years of Toxics Use Reduction Twenty Years of Toxics Use
JF - Improving the Health of the Public, Workers and the Environment:Twenty Years of Toxics Use Reduction Twenty Years of Toxics Use
SN - 0959-6526
IS - 5
ER -