NATURAL CAPITALISM FOR ENGINEERS

Click here to go to the lectures from the Maymester 2005 course (CVEN 4838/5838).

This course provides an introductory insight into exciting best practice and innovations, as well as the best current research covering key areas of sustainable engineering covering the following topics:

The material for this class has been chosen from sources that relate to and are in line with key recommendations of significant government and institutional reports, forums and councils internationally.

Books such as Natural Capitalism: The Next Industrial Revolution, together with the case studies on websites such as the World Business Council on Sustainable Development, the US Green Building Council, the Australian Conservation Foundation’s Natural Advantage: Blueprint For A Sustainable Australia, and the Western Australian State Sustainability Strategy show that genuine sustainable progress is achievable right now. For students new to the field of sustainable development, it is helpful to start with particular case studies and success stories. These are important as they show what has already been achieved and therefore, in principle, what can be replicated, or indeed improved upon.

Case studies and stories avoid the need for lengthy discussion about whether particular sustainability goals are achievable, proving that steps have already been taken by someone, somewhere. They also help to avoid ‘reinventing the wheel’.  When someone asks, ”If this is such a good idea why has no one done it?”, it is important to know whether the idea has already been implemented. If it has, the challenge is redefined to one of improving upon the idea or choosing another issue, rather than starting from scratch. For these reasons, the lecturers will use case studies, personal stories and anecdotes throughout the class to illustrate remarkable solutions to sustainability challenges. Class 3 will focus on key current cases in more detail lead by the Vice President of Natural Capitalism Solutions, Christopher Juniper. In the references for each unit additional case studies are also recommended.