U.S.-FocUSed Biochar report - BioEnergy Lists

Sustainability OverviewThe most common definition of sustainability is when society and systems use, consume or employ resources ata rate and in a way which ensures that future generations (of all species) will be able to benefit equally from thosesame resources. The Bruntland Commission is credited with coining a definition of sustainable development as“meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs”. 3 Sustainabilityconcerns cover the carrying capacity and resilience of environmental, social and economic systems and tothe interrelationships within the whole.SOCIALBearableEquitableSustainableenvironmentViableeconomicFigure 1. Environment, Social and Economic needs converge into a sustainable centerThis simple schematic depicts the relationships between the environmental, social and economic sectors andtheir demands and interdependence upon each other. 4 Sustainability is achieved when pressures and demandsare balanced to ensure no system is unduly impacted beyond its ability to stabilize, reproduce and remain notonly viable, but healthy.Other popular, more specific definitions include: “Sustainable means using methods, systems and materials thatwon’t deplete resources or harm natural cycles.” 5 ; sustainability “identifies a concept and attitude in developmentthat looks at a site’s natural land, water, and energy resources as integral aspects of the development” 6 ;and “sustainability integrates natural systems with human patterns and celebrates continuity, uniqueness andplacemaking.”. 7In the case of biochar production and use, the greatest concern is placed on the sustainability of environmentalsystems since that is the source of biomass and the end location of biochar. However, as indicated by the schematicabove, the environment is inextricably linked to social and economic systems. The deep-seated fear about3 United Nations - World Commission on Environment and Development. “Report of the World Commission on Environmentand Development: Our Common Future”. Geneva, Switzerland. 1987 http://www.un-documents.net/wced-ocf.htm4 UCN. 2006. The Future of Sustainability: Re-thinking Environment and Development in the Twenty-first Century. Report ofthe IUCN Renowned Thinkers Meeting, 29–31 January 2006 http://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/iucn_future_of_sustanability.pdf5 Rosenbaum, Marc. “Sustainable Design Strategies,” Solar Today, March/April, 19936 Vieria, Edwin. “A Checklist for Sustainable Developments” in a resource guide for “Building Connections: Livable, SustainableCommunities,” American Institute of Architects, Washington, DC.. 19937 Early, D. “What is Sustainable Design,” The Urban Ecologist, Society of Urban Ecology, Berkeley, CA. Spring 1993.40U.S.-Focused Biochar Report:Assessment of Biochar’s Benefits for the United States of America