Introduction to Sustainability

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ISBN: 9781118487143 | 1118487141
Cover: Hardcover
Copyright: 5/2/2016

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Introduction to Sustainability is the first major textbook to review major themes in the cutting-edge field of sustainability. The book is suitable for introductory interdisciplinary courses on sustainability, as well as those in the fields of geography, geology, sociology, planning, political science, and anthropology. Brinkmann’s book allows students to see the world in new ways while also encouraging them to become part of the change needed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the planet. The text includes material on the development of the field of sustainability; environmental sustainability issues like water, food, and energy; social sustainability themes like environmental justice and transportation; and economic sustainability topics like green businesses and economic development. The book concludes with a chapter on sustainability issues in college and universities. Brinkmann intersperses many fascinating case studies and text boxes that encourage students to deeply explore the material. This is a book that not only organizes the complex field of sustainability, but also encourages students to take action to make the world a better place.

Acknowledgments, xv

About the author, xvii

About the companion website, xix

1 Roots of the modern sustainability movement 1

Meaning of sustainability 1

Nineteenth century environmentalism 2

Pinchot, Roosevelt, and Muir 4

Aldo Leopold and the land ethic 6

Better living through chemistry, the Great Smog of 1952, and Rachel Carson 6

Environmental activism of the 1960s and 1970s and the development of environmental policy 8

The growth of environmental laws in the 1960s and 1970s 10

The first Earth Day 11

International concerns 11

Ozone and the world comes together 12

Globalization and the Brundtland Report 12

Deep ecology 14

Environmental justice 15

Measuring sustainability 15

The road ahead 17

Organization 19

2 Understanding natural systems 21

The Earth, its layers, and the rock cycle 21

The rock cycle 23

Biogeochemical cycles 24

Water and the water cycle 24

The carbon cycle and global climate change 27

The sulfur cycle 29

The nitrogen and phosphorus cycles 31

Organisms and ecosystems 33

Urban ecosystems 35

Understanding the Anthropocene 38

3 Measuring sustainability 40

The United Nations Millennium Goals 40

Goal 1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger 41

Goal 2. Achieve universal primary education 42

Goal 3. Promote gender equality and empower women 42

Goal 4. Reduce child mortality rates 42

Goal 5. Improve maternal health 42

Goal 6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases 43

Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability 43

Goal 8: Develop a global partnership for development 43

National sustainability planning 45

Canada 45

Bhutan 48

Regional sustainability planning 49

Local sustainability measurement 51

Green local governments in Florida 53

Specific community plans 56

PlaNYC 56

London and sustainability 57

Small towns and sustainability 59

Business sustainability 60

Personal sustainability 61

4 Energy 63

World energy production and consumption 63

Traditional or “dirty” energy resources 65

Oil 65

Oil shale and tar sands 66

Natural gas 67

Coal 69

Green energy 71

Biomass 71

Wind energy 74

Solar energy 75

Nuclear energy 76

Other innovations 78

Energy efficiency 78

Living off the grid 80

5 Global climate change and greenhouse gas management 81

The end of nature? 81

The science of global climate change 81

The greenhouse effect 81

Sinks of carbon 86

Forests 86

Reefs 86

The IPCC and evidence for climate change, and the future of our planet 86

Ocean acidification 88

Phenological changes 88

Conducting greenhouse gas inventories 89

Step 1 Setting boundaries 89

Step 2 Defining scope 90

Step 3 Choosing a quantitative approach 91

Step 4 Setting a baseline year 91

Step 5 Engaging stakeholders 91

Step 6 Procuring certification 91

Greenhouse gas equivalents used in greenhouse gas accounting 92

Greenhouse gas emission scopes 92

De minimis emissions 92

Computing greenhouse gas credits 93

Climate action plans 93

Religion and climate change 98

Evangelical Environmental Network 98

Young Evangelicals for Climate Action 98

Catholic Climate Covenant 98

Jewish Climate Change Campaign 99

The International Muslim Conference on Climate Change 99

Buddhist Declaration on Climate Change 100

Hindu Declaration on Climate Change 100

Art, culture, and climate change 100

Swoon 100

Raúl Cárdenas Osuna and Toro Labs 101

Isaac Cordal 101

6 Water 103

Sources of water 103

Consumption trends 106

Sources of water pollution 108

Agricultural pollution 108

Industrial pollution 108

Storm water pollution 109

Sewage 109

Leaking underground tanks 109

Landfills 110

Water management and conservation 112

National and regional water conservation and management 112

Water supply management 113

Water management and innovation 115

Water quality 115

Understanding drainage basins 120

Drainage basins out of synch 121

Drainage basin pollution 121

Stream profile and base level 121

Lakes 121

Seas 122

Oceans 122

7 Food and agriculture 124

Development of modern agriculture 124

Meat production 127

World agricultural statistics 130

Food deserts and obesity 130

Reactions to the high-tech agricultural movement 133

Vegetarianism and veganism 133

Organic farming 133

Small farm movement 134

Locavores 135

Farm to table 136

Community sponsored agriculture 137

Community gardens 138

Farmers markets 139

Beekeeping 140

The urban chicken movement 141

Guerilla gardening, freegans, and other radical approaches to food 141

8 Green building 143

LEED rating systems 143

Site selection 145

Brownfield development 145

Other aspects of sustainable building siting 147

Water use 147

Energy and atmospheric health 148

Materials and resources 150

Materials re-use 150

Recycled content of construction material 150

Locally derived materials 151

Renewable materials and certified sustainable wood 151

Waste management 151

Summary 151

Indoor environmental quality 152

Ventilation and air delivery monitoring 152

Construction indoor air quality management 152

Use of low-emitting materials 152

Indoor chemical and pollution source control 153

Controllability and design of lighting and temperature systems 153

Access to daylight 153

Summary 153

Innovation 154

Regional priorities 154

Expansion of green building technology 154

Other green building rating systems 154

BREEAM 154

PassivHaus 156

Green building policy 157

Critiques of green building 157

The greenest building and historic preservation 158

Small house movement 161

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Introduction to Sustainability

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

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Introduction to Sustainability

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials

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