#flsustain

[cacarbonate]

Future Learn Sustainability

Got to week 3 and head is buzzing. This whole subject is so much bigger than I thought. We have received so much information that I begin to wonder whether it is possible to create a sustainable system. For one thing what is it I want to sustain, my own comfortable western way of living with my ingrained 'them and us' attitudes or do I want to sustain the whole world but at a level that is much lower than my current level of existence?

Is that an immoral suggestion?

 Should I be wanting to sustain everybody in the World at my level or should I accept the differences that exist currently?  

Not sure yet if the course will provide me with any answers or merely confuse me further.

[georgieeverest]

Answer to question 3

Apparently after reading this article http://www.theguardian.com/environment/green-living-blog/2010/aug/19/carbon-footprints-dishwasher-washing-up it is confirmed that it is more sustainable and environmentally friendly to use a dishwasher than to wash up by hand as long as you only use it when it is full and that you run it at night. 

[georgieeverest]

Some simple questions

I have just been asked 3 questions about how I would chose to run my day to day routine and why.

Firstly - What do I think is better for the environment, incineration of waste or disposal via landfill? I, along with the majority of other people on the course, chose incineration. I believe that the current research going into carbon capture and storage could in future offset the emissions released through the incineration stage whereas landfill sites are just hiding the problem which will probably arise later down the line.

Secondly - which do I think is more sustainable, drying my hands with paper towels or a dryer? I personally believe that paper towels would be better as you are becoming more energy efficient and paper towels can be sustainably produced if re-plantation occurs after deforestation.

Lastly - is washing up using a dishwasher more sustainable than washing up by hand? Most people agreed with me in that washing by hand is more sustainable as the amount of water would be roughly the same as a dishwasher however you are cutting out the energy used to run it.

[georgieeverest]

Introduction

Hi, I studied Environmental Science at the University of East Anglia and received a BSc 2.1. I worked for nearly 10 months as a Laboratory Technician for Anglian Water before travelling the world for a year. 

Now that I am back from the most amazing year of my life, I am looking to build a career in the Environmental and Sustainability sector. By completing this free on-line course through Future Learn I am gaining both knowledge and proof of my interest in the subject. 

I hope you enjoy it and feel free to post any opinions/interesting topics. Get involved!

[soutenabilitefuturelearn]

I  am more on the  Ecologist viewpoint as  I tend to promote the inherent value of nature and humanity. I think that humans are part of nature , deeply connected and dependant of the natural cycles, ressources and other living forms. If it is somehow an emotional view rooted in personal convictions it can be supported by ethic or philosophical thinkings. It is not incompatible with a pragmactical approach based on sciences. 

[youcouldbesohappy85]

What is sustainability?

Put simply - it's less selfishness now, in exchange for future rewards for ourselves or for our grandchildren. 

Our modern world was built on the shoulders of giants - we must ensure our shoulders are a solid base for future construction!

[youcouldbesohappy85]

Beginnings

From small acorns to mighty oaks grow.

And from larvae do butterflies grow.

I'm not as mighty as an oak, nor am I beautiful or graceful as a butterfly, but growth is welcomed all the same.

I've joined tumblr to follow the Sustainability Course on Futurelearn, and am looking forward to finding out more about this exciting topic.

Learning isn't new to me any more.

I'm also with the Open University, and am about to begin my next two sections of  "3rd year study" in Renewable Engineering and Relativistic Physics.

Quite diverse those, but if we throw in my Futurelearn courses of: Forensic Science, Higgs Bosons', Moons, and Roman Port systems - then you can see that I'm not one to stray from a bit of diversity.

This serves well as an introduction I think, post soon, 

Lee

[soutenabilitefuturelearn]

Sustainability , une définition à priori

Une définition a minima de la soutenabilité: le chemin étroit qui permet à la fois la poursuite des activités humaines et la préservation des conditions de la vie sur la planète.

De façon plus large elle pourrait  inclure l'arrêt de la dégradation de l'ensemble des ressources naturelles, la prise en compte systématique du facteur environnemental dans les décisions économiques et politiques. L'objectif au long terme étant d'assurer aux générations suivantes et au plus grand nombre une qualité de vie acceptable. Evidemment il faudrait s'accorder sur ce qu'est une qualité de vie acceptable. 

Cette définition interroge aussi le rapport entre l'homme et son environnement. La notion de soutenabilité doit elle inclure la préservation des paysages ou de la diversité biologique lorsque celle ci n'est pas essentielle à la survie humaine? Doit on la concevoir uniquement dans l’intérêt de l'espèce humaine?