Sustainability The Importance of the IndividualYOU Sustainability is

Sustainability The Importance of the Individual……“YOU”

Sustainability is the condition in which human society can go on indefinitely. Issues that hinder efforts to achieve sustainability: Who will solve environmental problems. Who is responsible for environmental problems. Who pays the cost of implementing solutions.

Influential Individuals Some of the individuals have managed to influence our thinking about the environment in the United States. These people are famous because they brought attention to problems or convinced many people to think about new ideas. Some of them wrote books that inspired people to think about environmental problems in a new way.

Influential Individuals

Rising Awareness 1960’s, several environmental disasters made headlines and helped raise public awareness. Soil Conservation Policies – prompted by the 1030’s crop disaster. The first Earth Day, in 1970, was a historic demonstration of public concern for environmental issues.

Voting One of the most important decisions you may make is in the act of voting. The people we elect will make decisions that affect our environmental future. Another way to take action on environmental problems is to join a group of people who share your concerns and interests.

International Organizations, Meetings and Agreements The World Conservation Union (IUCN) – 140 countries encourage and assists in conservation. UN Conference on Human Environment – consider global environment and development needs. World Summit on Sustainable Development – review 10 year progress of Agenda 21 and to consider several major treaties

Environmental Agencies and Laws EPA – enforces National Environmental Policy Act: CWA, CAA SWDA, etc. Department of Interior – enforces wild and scenic Rivers Act. Department of Agricultural – enforces Soil and Water Conservation Act, National Forests Management Act. Department of Energy – enforces Nation Energy Act

Environmental Impact Statements Environmental Impact Statement, (EIS) – most government agencies are required to file an EIS for any proposed project or policy that would have a significant effect on the environment.

Nature Conservancy – is a nonprofit organization that uses a simple economic strategy to preserve ecosystems. They have created preserves in all 50 states and 28 other countries

Weighing the Evidence We have the responsibility to educate ourselves as we make decisions that affect the world around us. Look for supporting evidence. If you want information about a particular environmental issue- do your research. A popular environmental slogan is to “think globally, act locally. ” This slogan reminds us that our everyday actions have broader effects.

Consumer Choices Another environmental slogan you may have heard is “reduce, reuse, recycle. ” As a consumer, you may choose to buy products that are produced sustainably or that do less damage to the environment.

Environmental Issues Pollution – Cuyahoga River clean-up. Air/smog, carbon emissions, shale gas drilling. Sustainability – energy conservation, alternative energy, green jobs Biodiversity – loss of habitat, deforestation, endangered species Agriculture – loss of farmland, use of pesticides/fertilizers, degradation of soil. Global Warming/Climate Change Environmental Education Resource Conservation – coal, natural gas, oil, timber, etc. Anything else you can think of!

Applying Your Knowledge As you learned more and more about environmental science, you’re now prepared to make decisions that guarantee that your impact on the environment will be a positive one.