Stephen,
Thank you for pointing out this change (to forum title).
I think you are saying and I whole-heartedly support your statement:
"Climate change is the most fundamental of all sustainability issues because the Earth's atmosphere protects and sustains all life forms."
I would like to see the "Climate Change and Sustainability" title return to this discussion forum.
In councils, "sustainability" applies to a lot of activities, including service delivery (sustainability), asset sustainability, financial sustainability etc.
Sustainability around climate change is much bigger and more important than these subsets.
The level of discussion in this forum could be diluted by having the "sustainability" forum title.
Let us keep a focus (here) on climate change and the other effects we are having on the planet (I know this makes an assumption).
I entered this group to be involved constructively in determining how we as Councils can contribute to environmental sustainability. Councils can and should contribute at a grass roots level in such areas as:
Green energy (sustainable energy) usage
"smart buildings"
"smart grids"
"smart transport"
and environmental (and resources) sustainability.
Let's get a discussion going and develop these options and others to deliver a better world for our kids!
Regards
-------------------------------------------
Darron Passlow
Asset Planning PRF
Warringah Council
DEE WHY NSW
-------------------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 04-03-2012 12:38
From: Stephen Lees
Subject: Why has the Community of Practice name been changed to Sustainability?
Have you noticed that IPWEA's previous "Climate Change" Community of Practice has changed its name to "Sustainability"?
Although there is no single, widely-accepted definition, sustainability is commonly related to the frequently-cited definition of sustainable development adopted in the 1987 Brundtland Commission Report: ... development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Climate change is the most fundamental of all sustainability issues because the Earth's atmosphere protects and sustains all life forms. Changes to the atmosphere's composition and behaviour, caused by current unsustainable practices, that reduce its capacity to support human populations will therefore compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Human-induced climate change is one consequence of our current lack of sustainability. Other consequences include deteriorating air and water quality, loss of biodiversity, and wastage and depletion of limited resources. However, because they share a common underlying cause - unsustainable practices - actions to tackle climate change are likely to produce co-benefits in regard to other sustainability problems.
For this reason, as well as the criticality and urgency of climate change, it makes sense for the IPWEA to focus its initial sustainability efforts on climate change, particularly those aspects that its members can influence.
We welcome comment and contributions as we develop IPWEA's new Community of Sustainability.
-------------------------------------------
Stephen Lees
National Director Sustainability
IPWEA
Sydney NSW
-------------------------------------------