Sustainability-Unfettered Thou environment
Assignment
Lesson 13 Finding the Balance Project
This assignment supports the following lesson objectives:
Explain the requirements for achieving the various levels of sustainability.
Describe the most problematic issues for achieving each level of sustainability.
Identify the social, environmental, and economic forces which impact the concept of sustainability.
Describe social factors which impact the question of sustainability.
Describe environmental factors which impact the question of sustainability.
Describe economic factors which impact the question of sustainability.
Explain how the factors influencing sustainability interact with one another.
Analyze the opportunities and challenges related to achieving sustainability.
Identify sustainability challenges which are still being struggled with.
Assignment Overview
The idea of this assignment is to let you experience firsthand the challenges presented in trying to achieve sustainability, and the compromises that can be necessary.
Pick one of the following roles reflecting the three pillars of sustainability:
Caring Neighbors Association Representative(s) – the foremost goal of the person(s) in this role is to look out for the interests of the community. You are focused on
safety and quality of life for local citizens.
Parks & Wildlife Organization Representative(s) – the foremost goal of the person(s) in this role is to look out for the interests of the environment. You are focused
on maintaining open areas and doing what is best for the local ecosystem.
Better Business Bureau Representative – the foremost goal of the person(s) in this role is to look out for corporate interests. You are concerned with business
expansion, profit, and return on investments.
Scenario:
You are on the panel of a citizen’s group that has been formed by the Mayor’s office to help her make a decision regarding a widely contested vacant city lot that has
recently become available.
The prime location of the lot makes it attractive to a wide audience:
It is near to the city center, as well as several schools and retail outlets.
It is only a short distance from one of the premier business parks where offices for many of the local major industries can be found.
It is along a bike/pedestrian way that connects with series of scenic trails linking to other nearby cities.
Currently, the lot is empty, and has been for the past 10-20 years. The ground is mostly even, though usually boggy and wet in one corner. There are the remains of a
few structures probably 50 years old or more on the property.
Activity Details
Write a 1-2 page document which argues for a specific use of the lot that is in line with your unique priority (i.e., business, environment, community), but holds
potential benefits for all stakeholders. The document should be a formal memorandum addressed to the Mayor. (Look up the format if you are unfamiliar with memorandums.
You can do this by searching the web for different formats or using a word template). Be sure and pay attention to the following in your memo:
Describe social factors which impact the question of sustainability.
Describe environmental factors which impact the question of sustainability.
Describe economic factors which impact the question of sustainability.
Explain how the factors influencing sustainability interact with one another.
