“Whether you support the free enterprise system, or see industry as a curse that must be removed, you should do so because that is how you feel about the situation in which you live, not because you think science offers unequivocal support for your position.”

				Peter Bowler

“Conservation may be a sign of personal virtue, but it is not a sufficient basis for a sound comprehensive energy policy”

				Dick Cheney

Sustainability

•	Conservation biology has united theoretical ecology with the practical goal of preserving what is left of natural systems
•	But conservation is about more than reordering national priorities
•	It’s about changing the way we live 

•	Our planet has reached a critical juncture 
•	What happens over the next 20-30 years will be critical for the survival of our civilization and our species
•	Each one of us can have a significant effect on where this planet is headed

•	Will we continue to plunder the planet, with little regard for its ability to recover?
•	Will we be part of the problem, or part of the solution?

•	What can we do as individuals to overcome
>	The forces of greedy multinational corporations
>	The indifference of politicians concerned only with their re-election
>	An economic system that encourages us to sacrifice tomorrow’s resources for today’s instant gratification

•	We can change the way we live, and the way our children live
•	We can seek a new relationship with the planet that we share
•	So tell me, what do you think we can do to help save the planet??

•	What can you do in the yard and garden?

•	Garden for wildlife
>	Make your home and yard a haven - habitats come in all shapes and sizes
>	More and more species rely on human-influenced habitats
>	Put up bird and butterfly feeders, bat houses, bird houses, bird baths

•	Don’t plant exotic species
>	Invasive species like loosestrife have been widely spread by careless gardeners
>	Select native plants for your garden - they are usually hardier, better adapted to local conditions, will grow better than pampered ornamentals

•	Limit or avoid the use of pesticides
>	Read the labels before you buy - many common hardware store brands contain industrial-strength poisons
>	Use biological control - Thuringen bacillus for caterpillars, ladybugs for aphids etc…
>	Use organic pesticides like rotenone and pyrethrum, soaps like Safer’s brands

•	Conserve water
>	Water early AM and late PM when evaporation is lowest
>	If you use timers, turn them off in wet weather

•	Minimize the use of commercial fertilizer
>	Plant legumes etc. for natural fertility
>	Have a fallow period, to let the soil recover

•	Plant a tree
>	Trees provide habitat for wildlife
>	Trees enhance the value of your property
>	Trees will reduce your utility bills

•	Mow your lawn sensibly
>	Exchange your gas-guzzling fume-spewing lawn mower for an electric/mulching mower
>	Sweep it the mess, don’t use a leaf blower

•	In the yard and garden:
>	Garden for wildlife
>	Don’t plant exotic species
>	Limit or avoid the use of pesticides
>	Plant a tree
>	Mow sensibly

•	What can you do in the marketplace?

•	Buy shade-grown coffee - 
>	Shade grown coffee uses native vegetation planted alongside coffee plants, rather than the traditional “row crop”
>	Shade coffee plantations provide better habitat for migrant song birds and other tropical species
•	
Avoid over-fished species
>	Don’t buy fish like swordfish that are becoming rare or endangered
>	Don’t buy tuna or other canned fish products that are not dolphin-friendly

•	Cut back on beef 
>	Eat lower down on the food chain
>	Poultry and fish are best, require less grain and water to grow

•	Buy organic produce 
>	Organic vegetables and fruits are grown with little or no pesticides
>	Often costs a little more, but it’s worth it
>	In New Orleans, Whole Food, Eve’s Market…

•	Buy products from manufacturers that contribute money to the environment
>	Buy checks, license plates, charge cards etc. that contribute to environmental causes
>	Many firms offer rebates to environmental groups every time you write a check or charge an item in the store

•	Boycott firms with bad environmental records
>	Home Depot uses rain forest timber ex. - always look for the green label
>	Many websites and environmental groups provide information about boycotts
>	Let manufacturers know why you did not buy their products

•	Buy a sensible car
>	Trade your gas-guzzling polluting SUV for something sensible, like a station wagon, compact or sub-compact
>	Pay attention to gas mileage when you shop for a new or used car
>	Ride a bike, take the bus, or walk - you have two good legs, use them!!

•	High price of gas finally getting through to consumers
•	SUV/Light truck sales at GM down 37% in summer ’08
•	Trade-in value of SUV’s has plummeted 

•	Advantages of high gas prices (!)
>	Fewer jobs exported, many firms returning to the US because transport costs now outweigh salary savings
>	Suburban expansion slowed, more folks moving back into town
>	Less pollution, less traffic, fewer traffic fatalities, less obesity (less driving)

•	Buy only what you need
>	Get rid of the physical clutter that can take over your life
>	Don’t fall victim to media pressure - buy what you really needs, not what the TV set tells you you can’t live without

•	Avoid disposable products 
>	Reuse what you purchase until it wears out, recycle it if you can
>	Buy products made with recycled materials
>	Use canvas shopping bags

•	Focus your life on experiences, rather than things
•	Life is not about accumulating material possessions
•	Whoever dies with the most toys does not necessarily win…

•	In the marketplace:
>	Buy shade-grown coffee
>	Avoid over-fished species
>	Cut back on beef
>	Buy organic produce

•	In the marketplace:
>	Buy products from manufacturers that contribute money to the environment
>	Boycott firms with bad environmental records
>	Buy a sensible car
>	Ride a bike or walk!!

•	In the marketplace: 
>	Buy only what you need, get rid of clutter
>	Avoid disposable products
>	Focus your life on experiences rather than things

•	What can you do in the voting booth?

•	In the voting booth:
>	Study the issues - where do the candidates stand on local or national environmental issues?
>	Inform your friends and neighbors of key issues or candidates on environmental issues

•	In the voting booth:
>	Push govt. agencies to switch to electronic vs. paper ballots
>	Don’t blow off local elections - these are the people who will make decisions that directly affect your daily life - make sure they share your views!

•	
In the voting booth:
>	Get involved - Audubon, Sierra Club, Campus Green Club, Scouts - give some of your time and energy to helping groups that are working to make the world a better place to live
>	Vote wisely, vote often

•	What can you do in the voting booth
>	Study the issues – inform others
>	Don’t blow off local elections
>	Get involved
>	Vote wisely

•	What can you do in the home and office?

•	Wash your clothes in cold water
>	Cold water detergents are much better than they used to be
>	Stains don’t set in cold water
>	Use detergents that are low in phosphates
>	Don’t waste water, use only what you need - shower with a friend!!

•	Don’t keep exotic pets
>	Exotic and endangered species are only captured because someone is willing to buy them
>	Always ask where the critter is from
>	Buy only captive-raised animals whenever possible
>	Don’t release exotic pets into the wild

•	If you’re not using it, turn it off
>	Use efficient bulbs
>	Use timers or sensors to turn lights on or off as needed

•	If you’re not using it, turn it off
>	Buy energy efficient appliances -look for the EPA/DOE Energy Star label
>	Set your computer monitor to “sleep”
>	Follow green guidelines or building codes, integrate solar power into your construction plans

•	Turn the thermostat down in winter, turn it up in the summer
>	Dress up or get naked as needed
>	Keep windows and doors closed when the heat or AC is on - don’t try to air condition the whole neighborhood

•	
Cut back on your use of paper
>	Turn off the junk mail - write to the Direct Marketing Association to get your name removed from junk mail mailing lists
>	Copy on both sides of the page
>	Recycle all paper products
>	Use email to cut back on paper

•	Cut back on your use of paper
>	Give shorter exams !!

•	Raise your children to be environmentally literate

•	Follow the thee R’s - 
>	Reduce
>	Reuse
>	Recycle

•	In the home and office: 
>	Wash your clothes in cold water
>	Use detergents that are low in phosphates
>	Don’t waste water
>	Don’t keep or release exotic pets

•	In the home and office:
>	Buy energy efficient appliances
>	Turn the thermostat down in winter, turn it up in the summer
>	Keep windows and doors closed when the heat or AC is on
>	If you’re not using it, turn it off

•	In the home and office: 
>	Turn off the junk mail
>	Copy on both sides of the page
>	Recycle all paper products
>	Use email to cut back on paper

•	In the home and office: 
>	Raise your children to be environmentally literate
>	Follow the thee R’s - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle