Masters Thesis

A Model of Transition for Sustainable Living : Sebastopol

Climate change, resource depletion, and economic instability are conceivably the most pressing issues facing the world at the beginning of the second decade of the 21st century. These challenges and the irrespective magnitudes are compounding faster than the level of the activity being implemented toward their solutions. While climate change is now well documented and becoming more visible in the media. There is less public awareness around the issue of declining resources, especially fossil fuels. The imminent convergence of the decline of resources coupled with economic instability may well delay the extent of adaptations necessary to mitigate the threats posed by climate change. Government thinking on mitigation includes massive plans of adaptations, infrastructure, and investments. Business thinking on mitigation includes the manufacture of green technologies and environmentally friendly products and services to provide for the growing consumer demand to participate in the solutions. These solutions, while an important aspect of raising public awareness of these challenges, do not solve the problems. Moreover, some of these solutions actually require more of the declining resources that are already in short supply and do not necessitate critical timeframes equal to the speed and scope of the endeavor. One resource that is growing and exists in abundance is that of population. Mobilizing even a portion of this vast population toward sustainable living habits has the potential to shift the entire dominant paradigm at the speed and scope required. Education and change of behavior will provide direction to a population, which is already aware of the environmental challenges and is already motivated for action, into focused sustainable methods of living that will leverage their daily habits and purchasing decisions into a potent and measurable demand in the market place. This project provides a practical educational model that facilitates behavioral change, cultivates growth of the sustainable business community and significantly lowers carbon emissions, while fostering social responsibility and environmental stewardship. The focus of this study has been the exploration and integration of three related aspects of sustainable living. The first has been to explore practical means to conserve energy and resources, while seeking sustainable alternatives . The second has been to explore straightforward methods that facilitate behavioral changes. And the third has been to explore methods of integrating the previous findings into the daily lives of people, and their local communities. If the results of the study are implemented, a way of life will be created that rouses demand in the marketplace for sustainable goods and services, stimulates commerce, and promotes the development of a strong local resilient community. The intention of this project is to provide a model for this transition that can be put into effect as quickly and efficiently as possible .

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