Ignoring the facts does not change the facts.– Anonymous
Monthly Archives: November 2002
Aside
There is no such thing as a free lunch. (the fourth law of ecology)– Barry Commoner
SRI Conceptual Framework
The framework consists of three categories, each containing three items or levels: – The first category includes the three dimensions of sustainability: economic, social, and environmental. This is sometimes referred to as the “three-legged stool,†recognizing that each element is critical to the stability of the whole, and that it would be unwise to seek success in only one dimension, at the expense of the others. – The second category includes three planning horizons: (a) long term goals and outcomes; (b) medium term plans and strategies; and (c) immediate actions and programs. – The third category includes three levels of ownership: (a) GVRD corporate; (b) regional mandates and services, i.e., the tasks given to the regional district by its members and by law; and (c) the region as a whole, i.e., where the GVRD is a facilitator or partner, not the primary actor.
• source: GVRD Sustainable Region Initiative • See also XlnkS4F5
Three key sustainability themes of the SRI
– a desirable long-term future, and the short- and medium-term steps needed to support that future; – an integrated approach that recognizes the need for mutually-reinforcing economic, social, and environmental considerations; and – the need to go beyond government and to engage a broad cross-section of regional society in the enterprise
• source: GVRD Sustainable Region Initiative • See also XlnkS4F5
What is the Sustainable Region Initiative?
The GVRD’s Sustainable Region Initiative (SRI) is a plan to create the conditions for a “pleasant, prosperous, and resilient future” for the citizens of Greater Vancouver. It is not intended to be a single agency initiative, but to involve citizens, governments, business groups, social agencies, academia, and others. It is not a single-purpose plan or strategy, but a conceptual framework -a management philosophy-that will determine how plans and strategies will be developed, adopted, implemented, and evaluated.
• source: GVRD Sustainable Region Initiative • See also XlnkS4F5
GVRD Sustainable Region Initiative
The Sustainable Region Initiative (SRI) is a comprehensive approach to building a pleasant, prosperous, and resilient future for the citizens of Greater Vancouver… The Sustainable Region Initiative will provide a framework, vision and action plan for the GVRD based on the concept of sustainabiltiy that embraces economic prosperity, community well-being, and environmental integrity.
weblink: GVRD SRI Page • from: GVRD • in detail XlnkS4F5 XlnkC179D
Professional Practice and Sustainability in Building Design
Professional Practice and Sustainability in Building Design: Presentation by Sid Siddiqui, P.Eng, LEEDtm Accredited Professional, to the 2002 APEGBC Annual Conference. Consider that: -Climate change is happening and there is an abundance of evidence all around us -North Americans use more energy and water than any other country per person -The United States alone consumes in excess of 25 percent of world’s oil -Buildings use 40 percent of the total energy used in North America -United States, China and Russia are the three biggest producers of greenhouse gases It is difficult to imagine that significant reductions in energy use and greenhouse gases will occur by simply “tweaking” current practices. The design professionals will have to take the lead and do things differently. With the right mindset and conviction, we can design buildings that are healthier for the occupants, consume less energy, last longer and have less impact on the environment. There are many examples of “green” buildings that have been designed and built and are successfully operating throughout the world. -Sid Siddiqui, P.Eng, can be contacted for further information at sid.siddiqui@keen.ca.
weblink: Keen website • from: Keen Engineering • document: Sid Siddiqui AGM 2002 Presentation • in detail XlnkS4F4 XlnkC17A6
Global Sustainability at RMIT, Australia
Website developed by RMIT in Australia. The purpose of this site is to develop global sustainability concepts in practical ways so that they can be applied both at the university and in public and private sectors. Contains news, education initiatives, corporate and commercial resources. Also has an extensive list of links arranged by topic.
weblink: Global Sustainability website • in detail XlnkS4F3
Management Systems and Reporting by Lauren Walker
Lauren Walker’s (MA, Senior Associate, PricewaterhouseCoopers) presentation to the APEGBC Annual Conference: “Creating a Sustainable Future for BC: Management Systems and Reporting”. The presentation outlines two primary tools for managing the sustainability challenge: Sustainability Management Systems (SMS) and Sustainability Reporting. ISO 14001 is becoming the standard for SMS, and this presentation details what is required to implement such a system. It also defines Sustainability Reports and their benefits, such as increasing accountability to stakeholders and enhancing transparency and access to information. For more information, Lauren Walker can be contacted at lauren.walker@ca.pwcglobal.com.
weblink: company website • from: PWC – PriceWaterHouseCoopers • document: Management Systems and Reporting by Lauren Walker • in detail XlnkS4F2 XlnkC17FC
Being a P.Eng in the Tech Sector
Derek Spratt, P.Eng, presentation to the Nov. 21, 2002 Vancouver Branch Meeting of APEGBC. Derek is the Founder and Chief Strategist for Intrinsyc. In his presentation, he describes the local climate for innovation within Canada and BC, and draws the link between engineering, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Of relevance to issues of sustainability are the skills Mr.Spratt describes as being essential to the evolution of the profession: the willingness to take risks, be adaptable, promote our value to society, and extend our skill sets and interests into non-technical areas.
weblink: company website • from: Intrinsyc • document: Being a P.Eng in the Tech Sector • in detail XlnkS4F0 XlnkC1857