Download Aristotle-The Greek Philosopher

A 21st Century
Sustainability Management Plan
For
Public Works
APWA Sustainability Conference
March 2009
Charlotte, North Carolina
George Crombie, MPA
Senior Faculty, Public Works Administration
School of Graduate Studies
Norwich University
Aristotle-The Greek Philosopher
Intelligent Design-Environmental Fabric
Tree
Here Comes Mankind !
Air Pollution
Smokestack emissions
of sulfur dioxide from
electricity generation in
the Midwest cause acid
rain which impairs the
health of Northeastern
forests, which in turn
reduces the trees’
ability to remove CO2
from the atmosphere
Water Pollution
We are
polluting &
building
beyond a
sustainable
water
resource
footprint ...
even though
clean water
is the basis
of life
Beach Erosion
Mankind’s destruction
of natural barriers
along some of our
coastlines has
amplified the ability
of storms and
hurricanes to cause
human hardship &
property damage
CO2 Polluters
The
majority of
manmade
carbon
dioxide
comes from
buildings
and cars
The Earth is warming as concentrations of CO2 (&
other GHGs) increase in the atmosphere
SEA LEVELS ARE RISING, AND WILL
CONTINUE TO RISE
IN 1776, THERE WERE ABOUT 1 BILLION PEOPLE
ON THE PLANET … BY 1945 THERE WERE 2 BILLION …
TODAY WE’RE APPROACHING 7 BILLION AND ADDING 1
BILLION MORE EVERY 10 YEARS OR SO.
What we know:
The environment is constantly changing through
natural and human causes. Regardless of the
cause of change, we must understand how to
adapt.
There can be severe consequences to the
environment, quality of life, & economy when
mankind cuts into the ‘environmental fabric’
without adequate knowledge.
We must find a sustainable balance between
mankind and the environment.
Turning Challenges into Opportunities
Managing to the Triple Bottom Line
A Winning
Sustainable Management Plan
A winning sustainable management plan must create
programs, projects, and products that are in harmony with
the environment, improves the quality of life to employees,
customers, and the community; and insures that economic
models used in the decision making process are taking a
long term and sustainable approach in the organization’s
decision making process. The goal of a sustainable
management plan as described above is managing to the
triple bottom-line.
A Sustainable Management Plan for Public
Works begins with Leadership
Passion for Public Works
Wanting to be “Best in Class”
Managing to Best Practices in Public Works
“Managing to the Brutal Truths”-Book by CollinsGood to Great
Appreciation for the Environment
Employee Development
Improving the Quality of Life of those you serve
Sustainable Economics
Principles of a Sustainable Management
Plan for Public Works
Leadership
Creating a Management Sustainable Management Team
Investment in Technology and Equipment
Service Delivery-Quality of Life
Environment
Capital Investment
Employee Development
Benchmarking
Innovation
Communication
Rules and Regulations
State and Federal Funding
Public/Private Relations
Economics
Legislation
Developing a Sustainable Management Plan
Creating a Sustainable Management Culture
Building a Sustainable Management Team
Creating Sustainable Partnerships
Understanding Economics and Externality Costs
Technology
Ability to Pay
Opportunities
Politics
Consequences of not Managing to the
Triple Bottom Line
Environmental regulations require you to properly store all hazardous waste. An inspection
of your facility is conducted by an environmental inspector, and finds materials improperly
installed. The community can be fined several thousands of dollars.
A sewer trench collapses injuring a worker. An investigation is conducted by OSHA and
discovers the trench was not properly shored up. Not only have you lost the employee, but
the fine to the community is substantial.
Improper building materials have been installed in a public building resulting in the release
of harmful gases. Employees suffer chronic breathing problems and the building is closed
until the materials are removed.
During the middle of summer, a lighting strike takes out the power to a pumping station.
The sewer pumping station was required to have a back-up generator that was not
installed. The station flooded and thousands of gallons of raw sewerage ran into the river
causing water pollution. The beaches were required to close costing hundreds of thousands
of dollars in loss tourist revenues.
Kids playing in a sand box at a playground break out in a rash. It is discovered that the
sand was never tested and contained toxic waste.
Advantage to Developing a Sustainable Management
Plan and Managing to the Triple Bottom Line
A “System Thinking Approach” to all Public
Works Activities
Applied Examples in Using a Sustainable Management Plan
and Managing to the Triple Bottom Line
Vulnerability Assessment Studies
United States Green Building Council
Energy Audits- Renewable Energy
Environmental Risk Assessment Audits
Technology- Education
Employee Innovation
University of New Hampshire-Methane to Energy Project
Watershed Management
Carbon Trading
Snow Removal Operations
Sustainable Management Plan for Public Works
A Winning Sustainable Plan