Visualize Dalhousie's operations as a boat and the campus community as crew. How do we get to the "isle of sustainability,” a place where there is little to no emissions and waste, where natural and human environments are thriving.
To get there, we need to know where we are going; we need supplies, a seaworthy vessel and committed crew.
To help us set course, maps, instruments, and aids to navigations (indicators) are needed. The draft Dalhousie Sustainability Plan provides a course for our sustainability operational work for the next 10 years. Indicators for sustainability success are highlighted along with phased in targets over the next 10 years (page nine of the plan). These are beacons helping guide us to our goals. Indicators cover a number of topics such as energy, water, waste and emission reductions. Instruments such as meters, auditing, and survey tools will help us identify the current and changing states.
Our boat is a sail boat. It is made with local resources and hands. It is caulked to be water tight. It has the flexibility and security of renewable and nonrenewable energy. To get to the isle of sustainability, our plan needs to anticipate external forces and adjust accordingly. We need to take action to avoid being adrift at sea. A number of tactics including regular structural overhauls (building upgrades); crew engagement (conservation and behaviour programs like ReThink! Sustainability on Campus); sail and engine modifications (more renewable and campus utility improvements); and sound designs and reporting.
As a crew member on the Dalhousie Clipper what do you think of our proposed sustainability plan? You can e-mail your comments to rethink@dal.ca or add a comment to this story.
Rochelle Owen is the director of Dalhousie's Office of Sustainability.
LINKS: Draft Dalhousie Sustainability Plan (PDF) | The Office of Sustainability
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