Introduction to Sustainability

The second intends to establish policies for the future treatment of waste or, better yet, for ceasing the generation of waste. 2 First part: Current generation and treatment of waste 2. Sustainability is an elusive concept and many have tried to define the idea of what it is. This book relies on the classical interpretation from the Brundtland report, "Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs", but rather than trying to frame the concept, it develops a supporting structure, following a natural set of steps to reach an established goal. This book provides the tools to navigate this Road to a Better Future by explaining concepts, giving ideas, proposing methods, and suggesting actions. To illustrate the utilization of techniques there are many examples, applied to a variety of activities, and to wrap up concepts, the last chapter is dedicated to the analysis of a community in search of a sustainable environment. A thematic index has been designed to help a person quickly find information on relevant topics. Consequently, this book follows a very practical approach, illustrating many different real life paradigms, thus clarifying the use of sustainable resources, including such novel applications as energy from fuel cells and extracting energy from the sea. It also comments on sixteen actual case studies that comprise different activities, including energy generation from wastes, novel transportation schemes, industrial integration, selection of urban indicators, water reuse, energy from renewable energy sources, etc., and touches on people’s participation in the decision-making process. Each chapter concludes with a comprehensive list of Internet references. Most of these references include comments on their content to facilitate further searching on related topics of interest. Audience: This book will help decision makers, stakeholders, politicians, students and the public in general to blend the use of sustainability concepts, tools and ideas with their current projects, inorder to best attain a sustainable environment.

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.