Sustainability 11/8/17

Feedback loop Feedback loop

Downward spiral Spiraling up
Death spiral Virtuous cycle
Vicious cycle Virtuous circle
Vicious circle Gaining momentum
Tailspin
Domino effect
Chain reaction

Tipping Point Tipping Point

Precipice Launching point
Point of no return Turning point
Event horizon Singularity

Virtuous Spirals: small or modest inputs at key leverage points can enable
accelerating and sustained benefits for the environment, economy, and society.
Ex: Rainwater Catchment System
Less time collecting water and less time loss to suffering from water-
borne diseases
Increased time for children to attend school and for adults to engage
in productive work.
Higher achievements with education, resulting in better job
opportunities and starting families later in life.
A healthier, more prosperous and sustainable society.

Efficient Cook-stoves: a little thing that makes a big difference.

(One of the options for term paper)

Solar Cooker: uses less wood for cooking and pasteurizing water
Social Benefits:
More time for education
Less exposure to smoke
Less risk of fires
Safer drinking water
Reduced illness and disease
Less risk for women and girls while collecting firewood
Allows people to focus on needs and beyond sustenance and security
 Environmental Benefits:
Reduces CO2 released
Conserves trees and forests
Reduced erosion
Forest products
Water cycling
Habitat and biodiversity
Etc.
Economic Benefits:
More time for activities that earn money
Improved incomes
Lower expense for fuel.

Leverage Points & Butterfly Effect

High leverage point: small problem solving force = large effect on system behavior
Butterfly Effect: a butterfly flaps its wings in Africa and a week later theres a
hurricane in Florida

Guinea Worm Disease Eradication

Understand the system: the worms lifecycle
Concentrate efforts on disrupting it at leverage points where it is vulnerable.

Education: the leverage point is highly labor intensive.

Reversing the classroom: lecture outside of class, do the work with guidance in class

Reforestation: Greenbelt Movement, Billion Tree Campaign

Micro-Lending

Appropriate Technology: bamboo bicycle, peanut sheller, pot in pot refrigerator,

SODIS
You dont want to drop high-tech things into communities that cannot support them,
simple technologies (i.e. bicycles) can serve certain communities far better.

High Technology: one laptop per child, electric bicycle, solar PV for rural
electrification, LifeStraw, PV lamp

The right technology can make a big difference.

Potential Technological Breakthroughs

Grid Parity or cheaper solar power
Battery/energy storage technology
Advanced biofuels cellulosic ethanol, algae
Clean coal carbon sequestration
Fusion power
Biotech genetic engineering golden rice
The Technological Singularity? Verner Vinge, Ray Kurzwiel, Moores Law

Social Movements:
Historical Movements
Abolition
Womens Suffrage
Civil Rights
Anti-war
Anti-Apartheid/Divestment

Movements for Sustainability

Smart Growth
Green Belt Movement
Sustainable agriculture
Green Party
Veganism
Socially responsible investing
Shareholder activism