Sustainability
Sustainability is another controversial issue. There are those who argue that nothing human beings can do to the environment will adversely affect the planet, despite overwhelming scientific evidence and consensus to the contrary. Even if the majority of scientists are wrong, sustainability still makes sense through simple logic. Polluting the environment means there is less “clean” environment to inhabit and enjoy. Removing more natural resources than the planet can replenish means that eventually those natural resources will be expended. Sustainability seeks to stop the decline of the environment and natural resources and produce a stablized system in which the current level of exchange between the natural and artificial worlds is maintained for future generations. (The next step beyond sustainability would be regenerative actions, such as increasing the natural state and returning natural resources to the planet. Given the resistance to sustainability, I don‘t think we‘re ready for that yet.)
I am a LEED Accredited Professional.