Sustainability as a Science

"Sustainability" is a marketing concept.

There should be no need to change vehicles every two or three years- no reason, other than marketing reasons, that people don't maintain their auto for 10 years or more (possibly, these days, the vehicles aren't DESIGNED to last 10 years- it has been a while since I bought a car).

There is no reason to buy a new cell phone every six months, just because some new gee-whiz feature has hit the market. The cell phone I bought something like 7 years ago is still quite functional.

Why should I buy a new computer every 3 years? New software won't run on older equipment? That is not sustainable. The first PC I bought was an old HP Integral, running HP-UX operating system- came with a Motorola 68000 processor. I upgraded that to a 68004 and continued to use the computer for ten years or so (sorry now that I gave it away!).

Think of all the "fashion" purchases you make. Is this sustainable? What happens to all those devices you no longer use?

In the early days of my engineering career, good design resulted in a reasonable life expectancy for a product. Rapid turnover pleases the accountants, but is contrary to sustainability...

Sustainability is an attribute or a goal not a branch of science.

It can be considered the same as any other descriptor. Eg Cheap is a desirable attribute but it hasn't given rise to Cheap science.... ok, bad example.

Sustainability is about enabling all people throughout the world to satisfy their basic needs and enjoy a better quality of life without compromising the quality of life for future generations. It is now the core principle of planning and provides key business opportunities for all particularly for engineers. It is emerging as a specialized branch of studies among the academics.

Humanity has been progressing remarkably - No doubts of course.

The reality is that, we are confined to a planet of limited resources, that can not lost long unless we make judicial use of it.

Burning of matter for energy,spoiling our resourceful environment, our current pattern of consumption etc

Any technology development without sustainability considerations will perish shortly.

Science, technology & our development in whichever sphere, need justifications for sustainability.

It is high time we preach, practise & groom our next generation with a sound sense of Sustainability.

It could be even like common sense & sustainability sense.

A very interesting and noble concept, the value of which sadly depends on the hands that transition the raw science into useful engineering applications. In academia it has the potential to form technical knowledge & guidelines that could steer us from destructive environmental consequences. In governmental regulations (politically influenced) it has the potential to continue to stifle the innovation that once was the driver of increased living standards and growing economies.

Yes, Sustainability is a Science unto itself. Some Engineering School are recognizing this, too. Before long all will do so. In the mean time some of us are applying Sustainability Engineering to the real world. Please see what I am doing,

http://www.chtank.org/

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