Earth Force Youth Summit Day

The Sustainability Institute Cares. That's why we partner with Earth Force for special events like the Earth Force Youth Summit to help teach the young minds of today how to think differently - how to grow up being green. Check out photos from the event!

Sustainability means economic prosperity, a healthy environment and human well-being

We must do something—as individuals and as a community—to lessen the impact of our way of life on our fragile planet. Here are just a few facts:

• North America consumes 75% of the world's resources; with only 20% of its population.
  
  
• Americans use 3 times as much energy to produce $1 of Gross National Product as the Japanese, producing one-quarter of the carbon dioxide emissions worldwide.
  
• For every 100 lbs. of goods produced, Americans create 3,200 lbs. of waste.
  
  
• 100,000 cars are added to the world's roads every day.
  
  
• Public transportation in America accounts for less than 3% of the total miles traveled.
  
  
• 4.1 billion pounds of pesticides are used annually worldwide.
  
  
• 50 to 100,000 species become extinct every year.
  

Sustainability is

• Greening the community through gardens and usage of native plants
• Water conservation and wastewater management
• Waste reduction and recycling
• Energy conservation and efficiency
• Improved air quality
• Less reliance on personal transportation
• Energy-efficient automobiles
• Higher-density of residential development
• Community teamwork
• Green economic development