Sustainability

Question 1

4 principles for sustainability

aka contributions we must eliminate

Answer 1

1) the systematic increase of concentrations of substances extracted from the Earth’s crust (heavy metals and fossil fuels)
2) the systematic increase of concentrations of substances produced by society (plastics, dioxins, PCBs and DDT)
3) the systematic physical degradation of nature and natural processes (over harvesting forests, destroying habitat and overfishing)
4) conditions that systematically undermine people’s capacity to meet their basic human needs (unsafe working conditions and not enough pay to live on)

Question 2

How can backcasting be used in IE?

Answer 2

1. Defining criteria for sustainability
2. Describe present situation in relation to the criteria for sustainability
3. Envision future solutions
4. Find strategies towards sustainability

Question 3

Describe the concept of Biomimicry

Answer 3

Using examples from nature - formed by evolution - and use it as inspiration for technology, form, process or (eco)system development.

Question 4

Examples of Biomimicry

Answer 4

• Kingfisher beak design for high-speed trains

- Termite compounds design for office buildings