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Sustainability and Sustainable Design

What is sustainability?

There are multiple interpretations of the definition of environmental sustainability, but I think the easiest to understand is "Sustainability is the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs". This is how the United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development describe.

The 6 R's of Sustainability

BBC Bitesize - 'Green themes' Explained

The United Nations - 17 Sustainable Development Goals

Recycling Symbols

Sustainability in Product Design

'Student Energy' YouTube channel

NASA 'Climate Kids' Website

United States Geological Survey

NASA Atmosphere Website

Sustainability 'Top Trumps'

Want to know more?

The 6 R's of Sustainability

These are a quick way of remembering the principles behind sustainable living and sustainable design. Different people move the 6R's around in different priorities, but it doesn't matter which way round you remember them, essentially, they're still the same principles.

Reduce

Reuse

Recycle

Rethink

Repair

Refuse

BBC Bitesize - 'Green themes' Explained

The United Nations - 17 Sustainable Development Goals

Click here to go to the full web page with details on the UNSDG website.

Recycling Symbols

The 'recycle now' website goes into interesting detail about all the accepted icons and logos for recycling and explain their meanings. The main plastics logos are listed below.

Sustainability in Product Design

(Produced by DATA, The Design and Technology Association)

Sustainability in Product Design (DATA).pdf

Renewables BP.pdf

'Student Energy' YouTube channel

These videos explain in clear, east to use terms, basic principles of sustainability and the key issues that surround the modern world concerning the environment. They will give you a convenient 'jumping off point' from which to carry out additional research.

What is Energy?

Energy Units

Renewable Energy

Fossil Fuels

Water Energy

Tidal Energy

Solar Energy

Wind Energy

Solar Thermal Energy

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Energy

Oil

Oil Sand

In-Situ Oil Sands Production

Nuclear Energy

Hydroelectric Energy

Geothermal Energy

Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking)

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Energy

Biomass Energy

Energy Storage Systems

Electricity

Energy Distribution

Coal Energy

Biofuels

Hydrogen Energy

Natural Gas

Transportation Concerns

NASA 'Climate Kids' Website

United States Geological Survey

Geophysic Maps

NASA Atmosphere Website

Sustainability 'Top Trumps'

Surprise yourself with these top trump cards to see the sustainability of these every day items.

Quotes about sustainability

Want to know more?

It is worth visiting the materials pages, particularly plastics and composites as they contain information that is a bit more specific regarding the impact of these materials on the environment.