Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
1 Introduction to Sustainability
INTRODUCTION
In the 1990s the term
sustainability
emerged as a concept to reduce humans' environmental
footprint and a way to assure the preservation of natural resources for future generations. The
concept did not pick momentum steam until the last few years, when due to public scrutiny,
many companies integrated the word
sustainability
into their corporate marketing strategies.
Since then, many individuals have embraced the sustainability concept even without a
complete understanding of the extent of its meaning. Others have been looking at sustainability
as a new fad, which will soon fade. However, sustainability is here to stay.
By definition, sustainability is a simple concept, but it is difficult to implement. Sustain-
ability is not just becoming more efficient in the use of energy and natural resources; it is a
change in business practices. Likewise, total quality management (TQM) has changed the
mind-set of many organizations by placing the customer first; sustainability is the challenge
of minimizing humans' environmental impact and reducing dependence on nonrenewable
resources.
TQM was the industry response to customers' demand for better products. Most companies
adopted this program voluntarily to gain an edge over competitors. In the case of sustainabil-
ity, pressure from declining resources will compel industries to implement real sustainability
programs, thus making sustainability not just one more trend but instead, a concept that will
need to be truly embedded in companies' core values for their long-term survival.
SUSTAINABILITY: A TERM TO STAY
Not long ago, a sustainable company was one that simply turned profits year after year
(Simmons, 2008), and the term
sustainability
as it is known these days was a foreign word in
most people's vocabulary. Today, sustainability and its associated jargon, including triple
bottom line, social and environmental responsibility, green workplace, and such, have become
part of everyday life of corporate managers, scientists, and engineers.
Conferences on sustainability and related subjects have sprouted around the world in
nearly all technology fields. (See Sustainable Development Conferences Worldwide website
http://www.conferencealerts.com/sustain.htm for a list of upcoming events.)
