What is Sustainable?

Sustain - to support; keep alive; keep going continually; endure without giving way; uphold the validity of (Oxford Dictionary)

Ecological design - is design that makes use of resources that come from the earth in such a way that they can be returned to the earth without causing harm, in a cycle that echoes the natural systems of living things.

Sustainable design is related but is not exactly equivalent and implies using resources, including land and energy, with maximum efficiency, at a rate that does not compromise the needs of future generations" (2002, Wilhide, Elizabeth, 'Eco').

"For every one of the millions of products we use to 'improve' the quality of our lives there are associated environmental impacts" (2002, Faud-luke, Alisdair; 'The Eco-design handbook'). While some products have a small environmental impact, others consume finite resources in vast quantities. The ultimate design challenge of our time is to avoid or minimize the adverse impacts of all products on the environment (ibid.)

In a time of organo-phosphorus pesticides which are found in all organisms throughout the globe, the exhaustion of natural resources such as fossil fuels, destruction of ecosystems and communities, climate change, rising sea-levels, droughts, depletion of vital river systems, mass decline of our carbon dioxide sinks (our forests), rising population, the mass accumulation of waste and the decline of 'dumping' landfill space (particularly in 1st world countries), the accumulation of bi-products such as those created with nuclear energy and many more concerning factors, we are forced to consider the future of our generations and the impacts that these problems have on all aspects of our health.

We are responsible for supporting the industries, which contribute to these impacts. By asking ourselves "where does this product originate, how was it manufactured" and understanding what impacts were made during its manufacture, we can collectively help to minimise environmental damage by choosing more sustainable products. Let's face it, there is no single organization that will be able to carry this responsibility alone and we cannot rely on our governments to take any serious or committed steps towards change. It is up to each and every one of us.

Without feeling overwhelmed and by simply starting to take responsibility now we can all make some easy but fundamental changes. This can be achieved without decreasing the quality of our lives, in fact most of us find that sustainable living is a constant teacher and source of life enhancement.

Sustainable living extends beyond material needs to our primary sources of sustenance. Our demand on Earth for food, meats and fresh water are also heavily industry driven (to cater to mass scale demands). Unfortunately, our food is suffering in quality and health and is produced with devastating impacts on soils, rivers and our oceans. In our opinion, complete sustainable living can be achieved by the application of permaculture principles. Permaculture is "the design system for creating sustainable human environments" (Bill Mollison, co founder of Permaculture). " Permaculture is about the harmonious integration of landscape & people providing their food, energy, shelter, and other material & non-material needs in a sustainable way. It is also the conscious design & maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems which have the diversity, stability & resilience of natural ecosystems" (Permaculture Research Institute).

To learn more about Permaculture you can enroll in our permaculture courses.

SUSTAINABLE GUIDELINES

In 2003, The Sustainable Design Company (owner of Natural Base) wrote the following guidelines for their product selection and design;

• Products should consist of natural chemical components, which are free of any toxic chemicals which cause illness, toxicity, chemical odours, irritants, off-gassing or environmental hazard to ecosystems. Use low Volatile Organic Compound (VOCS) emission products such as natural, non-toxic wall paints & floor finishes for health of people and the Environment
• Waste management of rubbish and cleaning up must be carried out with minimal impact on the environment and where possible, should be recycled or re-used.
• Products are selected on their bio-degradable nature where applicable
• Preference is placed on locally produced materials and all materials must be manufactured or produced under sustainable management systems. Where available, preference for organically cultivated materials is made. We also support handmade production from low socioeconomic regions who follow sustainable ethics.
• Select products or materials which have been recycled or which are re-usable
• Select products that use natural resources such as hemp, cotton, silk, wool, timber, stone, wax, feather, seagrasses etc that avoid causing harm to the well being of animals and land
• Avoid animal tested products or genetically modified products
• Avoid materials which cause harmful sociological impacts
• To live, design and create with self reliance, ethical and sustainable care
• To use finite materials sparingly such as non-plantation timbers, metal and precious stone and to source local and/or renewable alternatives instead.
• To compost biological waste and install treatment systems to compost sewerage or which treat and re-use water and save on consumption of water by using rainwater collection techniques and water storage alternatives.
• To apply permaculture principles (design of naturally stable ecosystems and holistic systems) such as selecting multi-functional products and increasing bio-diversity of species
• To use energy efficient appliances and fittings to save burning of fossil fuels (and to reduce global warming)
• To implement design techniques which maximise on natural energy systems i.e. Passive solar design
• Use products which generate further awareness on sustainable living

(Copyright 2003) The Sustainable Design Company.