Sustainability: Final Post -- Alex Sciacchitano

I once thought Sustainability was just researching our resource use. After the wonderful year of APES, I now understand that it is much more than studies. Sustainability is the long term aspect of the use of the earth's natural resources and how to utilize resources so that these will last for centuries to come and the effects of such resources and products on the environment and the economy. The population of the earth is growing, and with that, the use of natural resources and the adverse effects to the environment are on the rise. With all 7 billion and some people on the earth, the nonrenewable resources are decreasing at an alarming rate, especially the coal and petroleum reserves. A switch to renewable, or at least more sustainable practices is key in extending the carrying capacity of the earth so that both all people and other organisms can live in harmony. I noticed the little things are some of the most important in changing the world. The switch to LED light bulbs rather than incandescent light bulbs can save a good amount of energy daily and closing windows during the day during the summer months to keep rooms cooler and save power on air conditioning. Little things like this alongside the big time projects like Superfund and CERCLA and such. The green house gas emissions are on the rise. The massive carbon sinks, the rain forests, are being slashed and burned daily, leaving this huge carbon sink in ruin and creating even more atmospheric pollutants in the process. The controversies over things like the Kyoto Protocol don't help the issues either. All the nations involved should have to follow the same guidelines. China's ignorance to the rules lead to the U.S. and Canada's with drawl from the Protocol, and no nation benefits from these petty squabbles. If we wish to save the planet and be sustainable, then we must coexist and all aim for a common goal. If these issues get in the way, then green house gas emissions will rise uncontrollably leading to huge problems. After learning of the issues over the course of the year, I began to conduct my own research. I came across an island in the Bahamas called Star Island. This island is a private island resort that leaves no carbon footprint. The island completely on wind, solar, or hydro-electric power. This island is what the world should strive to be. http://starislandbahamas.net/#/home/


http://www.advanceledlights.com/costben.htm
This picture represents how a simple switch can save both energy and money, two of the keystone points of sustainability. The amount of energy wasted is 25% more with incandescent over LED. Again the importance of living sustainably with the little things in your life.


http://envis.maharashtra.gov.in/envis_data/files/news/apr/pollution%20management.html
This picture illustrates the planet being suffocated by all the countless pollutants tossed into the atmosphere by all the unsustainable processes. The poor planet cannot be left in shambles by the ridiculous unsustainable use of resources and release of the toxic byproducts.


http://advance.org/articles/clean-up-the-world-campaign/
I liked this picture. It shows that people unite to clean up the world and live sustainably. If everyone shared the same attitude, the world coukd become a much cleaner, lasting place.