Culture of Sustainability

Cultures strongly affect how we think and act. They are built on our human experiences, sometimes over thousands of years (e.g. Agri-culture). But with today’s pace of change, cultures can develop quickly.

When people’s habits change, so will their culture (e.g. Cell Phone culture). The Biosphere Eco-City is an intentional approach that engages people in sustainable activities to create a culture of sustainability. This will in turn influence thoughts and actions.

The threshold to create cultural change is 10% of people

When 10% of society holds firmly to a belief, the rest will follow. Let’s make that belief sustainability. It will inspire key sectors – government, business, NGOs, and citizens – to think and act sustainably.

Cities are the place to start

Cities are the place to start building this new culture. Sustainable cities:

  • Reduce urban footprints,
  • Make the lives of many urban residents much better, and
  • Drive sustainable practices around the world.

A culture of sustainability can produce sustainability even where planning is weak

Planning can produce sustainable cities in some favoured places with adequate money, expertise and time. But a culture of sustainability can make cities more sustainable even where planning is weak. And in cities where planning is strong, it can enhance results.

Sustainable technology will be adopted more quickly

Cultures of sustainability will adopt sustainable technology more quickly because:

  • Society will remove barriers to sustainable innovations,
  • Funding for sustainable technology will increase,
  • Creators of these innovations will have more work opportunities.

Further information on Culture of Sustainability

The Speed of Cultural Change
Local cultures have always existed and global cultures have grown over time. For example, a Culture of Agriculture evolved over thousands of years to include almost everyone on the planet. Much more recently, the Open Source Movement has changed the global culture of business in one generation. Currently, the advent of smart phones is changing […]
Sustainable Cities Through Human Capital
The Importance of Voluntary Action
Perceived value drives voluntary support of sustainability Engaging 10% of a society can lead the rest of the population to adopt sustainability activities and quickly develop a Culture of Sustainability. (see the Speed of Cultural Change). People and organizations will do this voluntarily because they perceive personal value. For example: Businesses realize cost savings (e.g. […]
Sustainable Cities Through Planning
Beginning with Cities and Creating Cultures of Sustainability
BEGINNING WITH SUSTAINABLE CITIES Three reasons to develop a Culture of Sustainability, in cities first, are: Cities have large environmental footprints. Reducing their negative impact would support the health of the Biosphere Unhealthy city environments are harmful for many people. Sustainable cities would improve quality of life for millions Decisions made in cities control activities […]
Technology in a Culture of Sustainability
Roots of a Culture of Sustainability
Sustainability was a normal way of living until recently Straw for goat bedding on family farm. Photo: Walden Effect Sustainability as part of culture is not new. Up to the 1950s, Canadian children regularly passed on clothes and toys to brothers, sisters and cousins. Today small family farms continue to recycle most by-products of their […]
Need and Impact of a Culture of Sustainability

PHOTO

DESCRIPTION

CAPTION

 

Hero photo

Woman with carrots

Photo credit to Ryerson Urban Farm

 

Picture 1

Crowd on bicycles

Photo by Ahshea1 Media from Pexels

 

Picture 2

Urban farm & skyline

Photo credit to Ryerson Urban Farm

 

Picture 3

Skating on canal

Photo credit to National Capital Commission / Commission de la capitale nationale

 

The importance of voluntary action

Woman holding plastic lids

Photo by Brian Yurasits on Unsplash

 

Roots of a culture of sustainability

Blue shirts planting

Photo by Anna Earl on Unsplash

 

Technology in a culture of sustainability

Water streaming from roof

Photo by Phyo Hein Kyaw on Pexels

 

Need and impact of a culture of sustainability

Large park in a city

Lisbon, Portugal. Photo: Tiff Ng on Pexels

 

Sustainable cities through planning

Boy on path

Photo by Seth Hoffman on Unsplash

 

Beginning with cities and creating cultures of sustainability

City scape seen from park (LA?)

Photo by Celine Lityo on Unsplash

 

The speed of cultural change

Design of car with plug

Photo by Michael Marais on Unsplash

 

Sustainable cities through human capital

8 people joining hands

Photo by Fauxels on Pexels