Sustainability and You
Sustaining a better life

"... Never send to know for whom the bell tolls: it tolls for thee." - John Donne

sus tain abil i ty, noun. capability of being sustained. sus tain able, adj.
 1. of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged. "sustainable agriculture" "sustainable development"
 2. of or relating to a lifestyle involving the use of sustainable methods. "sustainable society"
  from Merriam-Webster's on-line dictionary

Scientists agree: humankind has grown so numerous and so destructive that our collective impact, both locally and planet-wide, is killing the environment upon which we depend for our sustenance and very existence. Moreover, it's killing us, in all kinds of different ways: wars, disease and famine, just for a start.

In the U.S., cancer has become the number one cause of death, and the number one cause of cancer is environmental pollution. What goes around, comes around. At the present rate, deterioration of the environment could easily become catastrophic in this century.

What to do? Space travel is harder than we thought. Good planets are hard to find. High technology solutions have come up wanting. Perhaps we should learn to live in harmony with the natural systems that sustain us and take care of our environment.

Since the first Earth Day in 1970, our society has come to understand that nature and natural resources, especially the living ones, turn out to be a lot more valuable and fragile than many used to think. Preservation and conservation turn out to be a lot more economical than cleaning up or re-creating an ecosystem from scratch.

The term, sustainability, known to only a few in 1970, is now a major concern all over America and all over the world. (Try a web search). The need to "Think globally, act locally," has become more urgent and many are heading the call, including here in Tucson and Pima County.

What we're about
The Solar Institute was formed and supported by many of the pioneers and leading authorities on sustainability in Tucson to help the community accomplish this. Through its member organizations and programs, the Solar Institute fosters community processes to help individuals, groups and the community find better ways to sustain themselves in the built environment and thereby contribute to preserving and protecting the one thing we all most need to sustain ourselves on this planet, the natural environment.

What sustainability means to you
It turns out that sustainability is not just about doing good for everyone, but also doing good for yourself. Consider these findings from Next Generation Affordable Housing Project studies:

  Next Generation Homes can cost a bit more to build, but over the first thirty years of residence can cut the real, total, low-term costs of home ownership by up to 50% and even more. This is accomplished by reducing operating, maintenance and repair costs.

  Next Generation Homes not only cost less but work a lot better. They are inherently comfortable with little need for heating or cooling. They require a lot less upkeep, meaning homeowners don't have to spend their weekends working on the house.

  Next Generation Homes are also healthier. Building products are selected on that basis. The design and ventilation systems maintain fresh air. Low energy use means fewer byproducts, less pollution.

Sustainability is more sustaining to you and yours too: through good conscious choices, you can have a better life and one that is more enjoyable.

Join us
We'd like to invite you to become part of this sustaining community and help preserve your own piece of the planet. There are many ways you can make your home, as well as community, work much better and cost much less. Join in the fun and discover even more. Please get in touch with us now. Here's how!

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We try to make this site as accessible and useful as possible. If you encounter problems or have suggestions, please be sure to let us know. Thank you!

Credits: We would like to thank the City of Tucson, Pima County, the Tucson-Pima County Metropolitan Energy Commission, Tucson Commission on Disability Issues and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for support and funding, as well as the many organizations and individuals who have contributed to making these community initiatives such a success.

Copyright © 2005 Solar Institute, Inc. ® Tucson Solar Alliance, Solar Alliance of Greater Tucson, Tucson Innovative Home Tour, Next Generation Home, Next Generation Home Alliance, Tucson Homeowners Alliance and Tucson Community Solar Program are registered trade names of the Solar Institute. All rights reserved.