The Future, My Future

The future; pretty picture or scary thought? What does the future of humanity look like? What does my future look like? I feel the best way to convey my idea of what the future looks like it to describe a bit about what I picture my future to look like.

The year is 2032. I can hear the crow of the rooster in the coup in my backyard. I rise, stretch, and roll over. The sun is not quite up yet but I can hear my 13 year old stir muffled by the sound of the PV panels on my roof redirecting to catch those first morning rays from the east. I roll over and wake my husband; it’s time to start the day. I get up and throw on a Canadian made sweatshirt and rubber boots. It has become increasingly important to buy Canadian or better yet locally produced goods. Since the price of oil has risen over 200 hundred dollars a barrel the import and export of goods has become increasingly expensive, giving boom to local production operations.

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Once my son brushes his teeth we both head out to the back garden and chicken coup. My son picks a cup full of raspberries for his oatmeal, tomatoes, a pepper and a cucumber, while I collect the beautiful presents left by my eight hens. I quickly give the gardens a spray of water from one of our rain collection barrels around the house. The cost of water provided by the city has increased significantly since we started selling large quantities of water to our counter parts experiencing severe drought due to climate change in southern west coast, this has led to increased concern over water usage and lawn watering has been banned in our neighbourhood.  I can feel the rising sun on my neck and sweat begins to run down my back. It’s only early May but climate change has increased the annual average temperature by 3°C and the seasons have begun to change drastically.

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As I follow my son back into the house I note that my husband is finished his shower. I instruct him to use the harvested veggies to make our lunches and I take my turn. As is step under the low flow head I remember back to the weekend 10 years ago we installed our new solar thermal hot water system. It cost us $3200 to install and to date we have saved over $6342 dollars; not only have we covered the cost of the system but we have begun to benefit financially.

I jump out quickly, as to use as little water as possible and quickly turn on my blow drying. Since the sun is up it should be running solely off PV power and not using the excess energy we have stored in batteries attached to the PV system. We installed the 20 PV panels when we first bought this house, 15 years ago now, and since we have added 15 more. We have been off the grid now for 8 years, and occasionally generate enough to even feed back into the grid. I can’t remember the last energy bill I received.

cmhc-schl.gc.ca

 I hurry downstairs to cook my eggs. I can see my husband out by the garage unplugging our car, and I urge our son to dress accordingly and hurry out to the car. We bought our first electric car over 11 years ago now. It was around that time that barrels of oil reached $150 a barrel and the city pushed or the implementation of several electric charging stations. After installing the last 5 PV panels on the roof we are also able to charge our car at home fully by energy from the sun. We only own one car today; we sold our second 13 years ago and have never looked back. It was hard to adjust at first but I have become very efficient in my everyday life by using a bicycle and transit.

cmhc-schl.gc.ca

As my son and husband begin their day I hope on my bicycle and begin my journey. I only ride approximately 2 km, as I live outside the city, to the closest neighbourhood; a Wind Walk community. This community has an excellent transportation system within but I load my bike onto the bus headed downtown. There are lots of the examples of “new urbanization” that have popped up in the last 10 years. Not only have they begun construction on the outskirts of the city to deal with the quick population increases but they have also utilized old wasted space within the city. Transportation efficiency within the city has improved tremendously in the last 10 years. Not only has the city begun to structure differently, increasing density and decreasing land use, but transportation within has improved sufficiently within. People are now able to live closer to where they work and travel there more efficiently.

As I sit on the bus I have the day ahead to think about. I am contemplating what to grab at the market for dinner on my way home. We attempt to eat a diet of food grown or produced within a 100km of our home. We are able to almost fully follow this guideline as we produce most of our own fruits and vegetables, eggs and chicken. As I said before import and export costs have increased making it only really economically to buy local these days. I also begin thinking about our yearly camping trip. We forfeited our annual trip to Mexico 5 years ago. Plane flight costs have increase so rapidly due to the price of oil that vacation is a thing of the past. Perhaps one day we will save up enough to travel again.

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Although it appears that we will have less tangible items or extravagances we enjoy today in the future, I anticipate being closer to my family and community. I can’t make choices for others surrounding me, but I can shape my life to influence the future of the world I wish to see. I have to be the change I want to see.

Sustainable Development in Practice

Sustainable development is currently in practice throughout the world in a number of companies, cities and countries. Not only is the need for sustainability for the preservation of our environment recognized, but the potential economic gain associated with sustainable practice is a driving force. To better illustrate sustainability in practice I will characterize examples for each of the scales of size.

Companies and joint organization representing companies such as the British Beer & Pub Association http://www.beerandpub.com/ (representing UK breweries) are realizing the potential economic gain associated with sustainable practice. The association has focused on analyzing current energy consumption, packaging practices, and waste produced through production at participating breweries. By analyzing these factors the organization is attempting to create a need for new technologies or practices that could provide increased sustainability and cost reduction. Using the example of waste; by quantifying and characterizing waste leaving a brewing facility the organization has been able to divert approximately 97% from waste stream to be utilized in current processes to organic fertilizers from organic waste products. Not only does the decrease in waste keep our landfills clean, but utilizing waste in production reduces cost which subsequently increases brewery revenue.

http://www.beerandpub.com/

A great personal example of sustainable development on a city scale is the T’Sou-ke First Nations in Sooke, British Columbia http://www.tsoukenation.com/. This community is achieving sustainability through the utilization of a renewable energy source by implementation of PV and solar thermal panels. By becoming lessening the dependency of grid provided energy, the community is thus becoming dependant on itself or becoming self sustainable. The community estimates that they have saved approximately 30% of energy from solar thermal heating systems, and two community buildings are powered solely from the sun and off the grid.  Additionally the implementation of this technology has had an impact on the social aspect of sustainability within the community. Programs such as the implementation of energy saving kits, including items such as low flow shower heads, and a children’s energy saving “goal” tree has created an additional 30% reduction in energy usage. In total over the last year between technology and social change the T’Sou-ke community has generated approximately 60% in energy savings. This is only the beginning components of an entirely sustainable community, with future focus being on food supply, and waste water recovery.

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An example of a large scale sustainable development is currently in place on the island of Samso, Denmark. The geographical location and terrain of Denmark and the island of Samso allows for great capacity for wind generation. As such the technology has been steadily utilized, and Denmark is the leader in wind power generation as well as production of wind turbine units. Denmark’s energy consumption is subsidized 18.9% by energy generated through wind power. Denmark’s next step is to focus on the introduction and citizen utilization of electric powered cars, powered of course by energy generated by wind.

smartplanet.com

These examples are just the beginning of sustainability in practice that is beginning to appear throughout the world. Whether it be “new urbanization” construction, or better inter city transportation; all companies, cities and countries are now being introduced to this idea of sustainability. Although these are all individual aspects of sustainable practice there are few examples of absolute sustainability in respect to addressing all social, economic and environmental aspects. However what we see right now is a step in the right direction. Every person influenced is another thinker, another contributor to society. The more exposed we are to these new ideas, the more connections can be made, and the more changes we will see in the world in the future.

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(Over) Consumption

I think one of the biggest factors in the degradation of our natural resources and our environment is over consumption. Additionally, I think over consumption is one of the biggest factors in the degradation of our culture. Let’s face it, if we all took an inventory of our rooms, our houses, or our work spaces; what would we find? Stuff, stuff, and more stuff. Where did all this stuff come from? Why did we buy it? Do we even need it? The answer is no. Culture today defines success as the accumulation of this “stuff”. “Stuff” is a reflection of our monetary worth; the more money we have, the more stuff we can accumulate. And not only is it the accumulation of stuff that represents our success, but the accumulation of expensive stuff is even more lucrative. It means we are even more successful people. When did this happen? The answer is the birth of advertising and marketing. Billions of dollars in America are spent worldwide trying to convince us that we need stuff. We need cars, but not just four wheels and an engine but leather interior with a surround sound entertainment system. We also need a cell phone, a lap top, a ipod touch, an ipad all to stay connected. I think you get the point, we accumulate all this stuff to make other people think we’re successful, which in turn; makes us feel better. But do we really feel better?

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The problem of our cultural need for consumption is relatively irreversible. The elimination of the multibillion dollar business of marketing will never be met by campaigns explaining why you don’t need this “stuff”. Once someone owns a cell phone or an ipod, it would be extremely difficult to reverse that psychological need. The only way we can attack this problem is the source. The companies that produce this “stuff” themselves. Companies are currently in the business of what is described as planned obsolescence; meaning a product is designed for the dump. Companies realize that the key to economical success is the constant consumption of products. Additionally, marketing creates a smoke screen for the short life span of a product with perceived obsolescence; companies make us think our stuff is obsolete, even before its durability fails.



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How can we combat this overconsumption of useless “stuff”? We have a variety of options. First, sometimes consumers forget the fact that companies produce what we want. If we ask nothing of our products, companies are more than willing to take the short cut. But what if we start asking more of our companies? What if we make our point by cutting back on our consumption until they start producing better “stuff”. Products that are made using ethical practice and renewable resources, products that have a long life span, products with less packaging and biodegradable components. Companies can begin utilizing the concepts outlined in the theory of biomimicry; based on the theory that evolved solutions require low energy input, no waste, no toxicity, and more sustainable that traditional solutions.

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Although I believe our society would benefit with a healthy future by companies changing their traditional practices to those outlined in the theory of biomimicry, I feel that addressing overconsumption is an even better idea. I am avid subscriber to the magazine Adbusters. Although the magazine represents some ideas that are a far reach from attainable, one of their main concepts is that of the evil of marketing and overconsumption. One of their strong campaigns is the “buy nothing Christmas”. It makes individuals begin reconnecting with family as opposed to material things. For more information on the “buy nothing Christmas” and other theories on the evil of marketing check-out the magazine, it’s always an interesting read.

www.adbusters.org

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The Sustainable City

What a sustainable city looks like is a hard concept to wrap ones’ mind around. What infrastructure components would need to be addressed and redesigned to be defined sustainable. We first must revisit our definition of sustainable development; social, economic and environmental factors would need to be incorporated.

After Dr. Ling’s lecture on sustainable land use, in which he described concepts of “new urbanism”, I believe the physical design of a city; nurture the success of the three components of sustainable development or cities. How does the physical design successfully optimize or promote these components?

First to define “new urbanism”; includes structuring more dense cities, creating multiple level multiple functional buildings which increase density and decrease land (km²) necessary, efficient public transportation options connecting city, as well as walk-able resources, efficient waste removal and treatment systems, and addition of green spaces. These components of “new urbanism” encourage success of sustainable development.

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Social Sustainability

By bringing people closer to each other through housing, services and park space; the idea of community experiences rebirth. It is shown that urban sprawl creates isolation and the dissolution of community. Effects of this can be increased depression and mental health issues within North America. By bringing people closer together; through housing, transportation and work, the idea of community can be re-established and human connections can be made.

Economic Sustainability

By creating, building, and manning a “new urbanization” city,; economic growth within a city can still be maintained. Additionally, by increasing density and decreasing land, economically efficient waste removal and other public services can be achieved. New jobs can additionally be created surrounding new technology in regards to power generation from wastes, and other sustainable energy generation practices.

Environmental Sustainability

The nature environment would benefit in many ways from “new urbanism”. By concentrating the density of the population by utilizing a smaller portion of land, the area of natural, untouched environment increases. Habitat and biodiversity, one of our biggest environmental losses, can thrive once again. Additionally by increasing density; transportation would decrease significantly decreasing our carbon footprint and dependence on natural resources. The good that “new urbanism” could do for our environment is un-measurable to say the least.

The key to a sustainable city is merely bringing people closer together. It’s getting back to community; knowing the people that surround your life. The more you care about the others around you and the surrounding environment it seems; the healthier life is.

Powering a sustainable society- I will be the change needed

One main point Dr. Ling drives home in our Sustainability Lecture series is the fact that the most successful attempts at sustainability are on the community scale. I think this is an excellent point. Success comes when you are working in a small connected group, much like that of a community. Results can actually been seen, felt, measured and shared with those around you. With this in mind I feel that powering a sustainable society starts at home; it starts with my home. In addition to information I have a acquired in our Sustainability lectures I am also part of a major project group working with the Solar Colwood project in Colwood, BC. Both of these environments have helped fostered a once large, but now attainable goal for myself and my future home.

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The Solar Colwood project is working closely with the T’Sou-ke first nations who have recently embarked on a large but prosperous solar project. Of particular interest to me are the large displays of PV photovoltaic solar panels lining two of their major buildings, as well as panels lining the adjacent lake. Approximately 30 solar panels are able to power one approximately 1,500 square foot building. During the summer additional energy produced is fed back into the “grid” system. During the winter while less energy is produced it is sometimes essentially to require energy from the “grid” however, over the duration of the four seasons; net energy required is zero. In addition back-up batteries store energy that could provide the building up to approximately three days if no sun was present at all. The entire system consists of 30 PV panels which are required to face east at a 45 degree angle, one unit which turns the energy generated from the sun into usable energy for the building, one unit which feeds additional power back into the grid system, and a number of back-up batteries. The entire system costs approximately $50,000 with each solar panel costing approximately $1,000 a piece.

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As a prospective homebuyer, I am excited to utilize this new technology. I have also considered a shallow geothermal unit, cost approximately $20,000, but have decided PV is a better investment for me. It also makes sense to attempt to build this large cost into a mortgage as opposed to attempting to save.  As $50,000 is a large cost, I have decided that purchasing the required system components and approximately 10 PV panels to begin with is an excellent idea. As years pass additional panels can be purchased to add to the system.

As a new homebuyer I feel this will also benefit the future community I choose to be a part of. Let’s face it, new neighbours are nosey. I think they will be especially nosey when they see the installation of all these PV panels on my roof. But perhaps I change their thoughts. Perhaps I will inspire others to do the same. I will be able to share my story, and my savings with others. Since the price of oil is never going to decrease, only increase, I want to be ahead of the game. I feel that I have all of this new knowledge of technology it would be a waste not to utilize it.

In closing, I will be the start of powering a sustainable society. I will be the change I want to see in the world, and will hopefully influence others to do the same. It all comes back to community.

Sustainable Community

This past week I had the pleasure of touring one of, if not the, most sustainable community currently functioning in North America. The T’sou-ke First Nations community is a leader in sustainability, gaining the ability to jump off the grid by powering their community solely by PV, solar thermal panels, and social action. My tour was conducted by Andrew Moore, lead engineer responsible for the organization and implementation of this multi organization project conducted over the last two years. When asked how the T’sou-ke community first became interested in becoming solely responsible for their own power generation, Moore explained “First Nations have always relied on the power of nature for energy. The highest importance has always been placed on the power of the sun, the water, and the wind”. He couldn’t have explained it more perfectly, we should all take a chapter out of their book. On a positive note the community has inspired change in the nearby community of Colwood. The Colwood community is currently embarking on a Solar Colwood project, with inspiration and assistance from the T’sou-ke community. The T’sou-ke community couldn’t be happier, one of the goals of their project was to inspire others. They’ve done a good job.

Success of the T’sou-ke solar community incorporates the three components necessary for success of sustainable development; social, environmental, and economic. With focus placed on the economic success of the community, due to its historic dependence on expensive electricity and diesel power, the community decided to honour the environment and improve their social connectivity.

The first step of this project was the install PV solar panels, as well thermal solar panels. The community consists of 84 households; 34 of which received thermal solar panels. Thermal solar panels consist of a cluster of three panels which heat city fed water before entering a households’ hot water tank, reducing the energy required to raise the temperature of the tank. PV solar panels we installed on two buildings, as well as a large unit located on the water front over a canoe shed. Both the main office and community center are solely powered by approximately 36 solar panels located on the roofs of these buildings. Any additional power generated is either stored in batteries for future use, or fed back into the grid.

In addition to these installations the community wanted to unite the community further. A variety of social oriented energy reduction programs were offered to households not receiving installations. Programs included energy saving kits including energy reducing light bulbs, low flow shower heads, and a variety of other power saving technologies.

I think the most inspiring piece of the community was a paper tree tacked to the wall in the community center. The community recognizes that one of the most important aspects of this project were to transfer this knowledge and this motivation to the young members of the community. After, they are the future of the community. Attached to the tree are a variety of paper leaves, on which children of the T’sou-ke community have posted their commitment to reducing their energy consumption. One child wrote “I will shut off the tap when I brush my teeth”. There it is folks. If there was any way to measure success in this community, that was it.

I am very grateful to have visited the T’sou-ke community. I have never personally seen such a community join together, with such a vision in my mind. They are an inspiration to us all, and I will personally keep this community in mind when I too join a community of my own.

Visit the T'sou-ke community website to learn more about this amazing project, it truly is inspiring.

http://www.tsoukenation.com/2009/12/tsou-ke-solar-community-video/

The world is growing; what will we do?

Which is the greater problem; population growth or consumption? I believe the more realistic question is which can problem can be addressed. According to index mundi (http://www.indexmundi.com/world/population_growth_rate.html) our population is growing at a rate as of 2009 is approximately 1.133% and other resources indicate it is reaching 2.0% percent in 2011. All Business (http://www.allbusiness.com/north-america/united-states-louisiana/1140892-1.html) indicates that the US is growing at a rate of approximately 1.8% while countries such as China are growing at a rate of almost 8%. According to Sustainability lectures provided by Dr. Ling it is estimated that the world population by 2100 will reach 14 billion. That doesn’t sound probable; “something’s gotta give” if you ask me. Population growth directly reflects current population size, education, and cultural within a country. This is evident with individual country growth statistics. Cultural norm within the US and North America shows the standard family model; two parents with two children. With educational opportunities, and increasing prices, families are most comfortable supporting this size. Education in the form of contraception also plays a large role in population growth. Under developing countries growing at high rates are usually less educated on contraception, and/or religious views inhibit the use.  We can all agree that the world cannot sustain 14 billion people, also keep in mind those populations that will be displaced in coming years due to climate change. But how can we limit the population? How can we address over population in all developing countries? We cannot. Who is responsible for limiting the number of children per family, and who is responsible for reinforcing it. So what can we do?

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What we can do is focus on preserving resources, and reducing consumption. We can kill two birds with one stone by addressing over consumption. Over consumption is beginning to be addressed through acts of sustainable development. Slowly, North American individuals and companies are turning their focus from over production and consumption, to reductions and sustainable actions. Not only will a focus on reducing consumption through sustainable development create a greater culture within North America, but it will address the issues of population growth. By reducing our consumption we can focus on conserving resources that this growing population will need to survive.



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We can all agree that the world we live in today will be much different than the world we will see in 50 years. It is actually scary to think about having children, what world will they be presented with? All we can do is our individual part. We can change our everyday actions to mimic the future we wish to see, a future we will be comfortable growing a family in. This starts with sustainable conscience, and conducting ourselves in an environmentally conscious way.