Explore Your Sustainable Earth

Life cannot survive without water or a stable habitat. Sustainability issues such as the climate crisis, pollution and land use are changing water cycles and diminishing livable environments for numerous species.

Consumption patterns are one of the largest drivers of biodiversity loss. From deforestation to overfishing, our consumption patterns have a great effect on the ecosystems that support the diversity of life on Earth.

Food production has a tremendous impact on the planet’s biodiversity. From the eutrophication of our waterways to the clearing of our rainforests, our food production is directly tied to the abundance of the diversity of life on Earth.

Nearly every business has an impact on biodiversity at some point in the company’s lifecycle. At the same time, many businesses rely on biodiversity to produce products and services. Solutions are needed to drive sustainability for both sides.

Biodiversity is essential to sustaining life here on Earth. This requires us to develop solutions that protect and foster biodiversity so that all life on Earth can thrive.

The built environment has a profound impact on the community. For example, if the built environment is designed in a way that it facilitates social interactions, then the community will be more cohesive and connected. The built environment also impacts our mental health and well-being. If the built environment is designed in a way that it makes people feel safe and secure, then they will be more likely to thrive.

The built environment is a key factor in determining the quality of life for all people, and it is also the focal point for many policy decisions. The built environment can be seen as a composite of various elements that include, but are not limited to, design, infrastructure, land use, and transportation. An effective policy that addresses the built environment should take into consideration all of these elements because they affect each other.

When we construct new buildings, the construction materials are often left over and discarded after the construction is completed. This leads to an increase in waste. We also need to take into consideration that the built environment includes everything from our homes to our offices and factories. This means that there is a lot of waste generated by these structures as well.

The built environment is an important factor in the use of energy. Buildings and transportation are two major contributors to energy consumption.

The built environment is a part of the human-made environment. It includes buildings, parks, gardens, roads and other man-made structures. The built environment has a significant effect on biodiversity. It affects the quality of life for humans and animals, for instance by providing shelter or food sources.

Policy ultimately urges businesses to operate according to guidances and influences how businesses must track emissions, the types of energy businesses can use, and how products must be manufactured and distributed.

Businesses small and large have a major impact on the environment. Shifting to more sustainable operations, however, can be a challenge for many. Greater awareness of all possible solutions will help businesses overcome these challenges.

Community is both the receiver of the benefits of business and also what businesses are comprised of. Business affects the shape of communities and how groups are represented.

Policymakers globally are actively introducing regulations, incentives and taxes to guide municipalities, industries and businesses in lowering carbon emissions. Smart policymaking will be critical to creating a sustainable Earth.

Businesses small and large are beginning to examine their carbon footprint and retool the way they operate to reduce their impact on the climate. This momentum will be critical to reaching climate goals.

Food production is a primary contributor to biodiversity loss, soil degradation and greenhouse gases, which impacts the Earth's ability naturally combat the climate crisis. Innovation in food production is needed to reduce the impact.

Land can either help or hurt the Earth's ability to create a stable climate. Through the preservation of natural habitats, we can sequester carbon and support the Earth in maintaining its natural balance.

The disasters and impacts of the climate crisis have disproportionate impacts on those that have contributed least to the problem. This is a complex equity issue. We need to ensure that polluting developed nations invest in disaster mitigation for these communities, as well as give their voices a seat at the decision making table.

Almost everything we consume has a carbon footprint. If we choose to consume products with high carbon footprints like meat, fast fashion, and single use plastics, it has a bigger negative impact on the planet's climate.

Communities are responsible for ensuring equity within them. Creating equitable access to educational materials for children, students, businesses, and community members.

Communities are governed by policy, while also choosing their political leaders who create these policies. Accurate education on policies, their impacts, and which ones should be introduced is important to ensure sustainable communities.

What produce is available to communities and how that food is distributed is important to ensure that people are eating healthy. Education revolving around healthy, sustainable food and where to get it is vital to sustainable communities.

Almost all communities exist in built environments, like cities, neighborhoods, apartment buildings, schools, and much more. The built environment can affect a community and their access to resources such as food, education, comfort, and green spaces.

Communities are affected directly or indirectly by the climate crisis. They also contribute to it in different ways. Education about a community's potential risks, contributions, and solutions to the climate crisis is a vital piece to create resiliency.

We use energy every day to light our favorite places, cook delicious food, heat us up, cool us off, and move us around. All of these are ways that we consume energy, and we need resrouces to generate electricity, heat, and motion.

We consume food everyday. Most of the time, multiple times a day. And sometimes too many times a day. The type of food and how much food we consume has impacts on our health and environment through land, water, and chemical use.

When we shower, wash dishes, prepare food, and quench our thirst, we are consuming water. Our consumption of water goes beyond what comes out of the faucets at home. All of our food, clothes, and materials that we use need water to make.

Not everyone has the same access to consume healthy, affordable, and luxurious products. Sometimes the consumption of certain items can take away from other's ability to meet their needs.

The built environment is a major contributor to, and consumer of, energy. With ongoing innovation in this area, we can continue to create built environments that are more efficient and even contribute positively to the planet.

Certain forms of energy contribute significantly to greenhouse gases. With continued exploration of alternative forms, we begin to shift consumption to more climate-positive clean energy.

Businesses use energy to power commercial buildings, fuel fleet vehicles and even store data. With the smart use of offsets and clean energy options, there is an opportunity for businesses to contribute to conservation efforts.

Global food systems are driven primarily by non-renewable energy sources. Through the use of smart technology and by setting specific energy goals, we can make food systems more energy efficient.

Energy supply relies on water and water supply relies on energy. Understanding the interrelationship between these two and methods for bringing more efficiency to both, we can find ways to conserve these important resources.

Most forms of energy create waste, but energy is also needed in waste management. Through innovative solutions, there are opportunities to turn this around––using waste to create energy.

The resources that we consume are unequally distributed whether its due to lack of access or overpricing.

Looking to address equity issues is complex. Creating solutions that consider the needs of all people, regardless of income, race, or religion, is essential.

Impacts of climate are unequally affecting people all over the planet. From increased heating creating extreme droughts, to ice melts leading to sea level rise, some people are more directly impacted by human-driven climate change than others. Protecting vulnerable populations from climate-related issues is essential.

Built spaces can provide safety and access to basic human needs, but unequal distribution of these spaces can negatively impact people. Considering community needs should be necessary in all built infrastructure.

Within food systems, consumption is continuing to hit new records. Food consumption is at an all-time high due to population growth, but so too is the consumption of resources needed to produce food.

Food production relies on water––and tremendous amounts of it. Not only is it used to grow crops, but also in the processing and packaging of food products.

Food is a basic human need and having access to healthy, clean food is a fundamental human right. It must be accessible to all.

Food can be a powerful connector. It brings people together and can often serve as the glue that holds communities together.

Food production currently requires massive amounts of energy. Through innovation and circular solutions, we can begin to ease energy demands and find ways to use food waste to produce energy.

Climate change is significantly impacting food security. It has led to crop failures, water scarcity, and reduced agricultural production. Smart alternative methods will be key to sustainable food production.

Land use for development, transportation and infrastructure has significant environmental implications. Through a better understanding of how land use impacts the environment and human health, city planners can make more informed decisions.

Land use has a significant impact on the global climate. Smart land-use planning, governance, and prioritizing win-wins over tradeoffs will help mitigate the impacts on climate.

Consumption takes on many forms when it comes to land use––resource extraction, conversion of natural ecosystems to other uses, and developments and infrastructure to support population growth.

Urbanization of public land not only destroys natural environments and climates, but can create extreme inequities in those regions. Understanding how these actions impact life for all is needed to create a more equitable environment.

Environmental standards policies will shape the future of business and leaders must understand how they can use them to guide operations and steward a healthier future.

Communities have the power to drive sustainability at the local and federal levels. Effectuating policy change, however, will require openness to alternative viewpoints, education on social issues, and taking time to understand others.

Environmental standards policies will shape the future of business and leaders must understand how they can use them to guide operations and steward a healthier future.

Policymaking in the areas of greenhouse gas emissions and infrastructure will continue to evolve and will have a profound impact on how societies live and function.

Policy is the backbone of sustainability solutions. Without it, there would be no order or accountability for sustainability.

Access to healthy, clean environments must be a basic human right for all. Achieving that, however, will require solutions that foster inclusivity and accessibility to healthier alternatives.

Businesses small and large have a major impact on the environment. Shifting to more sustainable operations is a challenge many companies currently face. They need solutions to help overcome the challenges that often impede these efforts.

The built environment is one of the foremost contributors to waste and pollution. Remedying this will require the efforts of numerous stakeholders coming together to develop continuous sustainable solutions.

Food is the largest source of waste. The agriculture industry, consumers and businesses all contribute to food waste––food that is fit for human consumption but is discarded. Education and circular solutions are needed to reverse this trend.

The built environment is another major contributor to global waste. It comes from all phases of a building’s lifecycle––the initial building, renovation, maintenance, and demolition.

Where does the waste end up? The way waste is managed––or mismanaged––has severe health and quality of life impacts on communities, especially those located near incinerators, dumping grounds and other waste facilities.

Businesses are often big drivers of waste, particularly those that produce or operate on a massive scale. More tools and strategies are needed to help businesses navigate and adopt more sustainable operations.

The production of food is a major consumer of water. It’s not just in agriculture, but also in the production of meat products, packaged goods, and even items like shelled almonds and walnuts.

Water is fundamental to life. But populations around the world don’t have access to clean drinking water or even wastewater services. Water equity will only be realized when all have access to, and can benefit from, clean water systems.

Climate has a big effect on water resources and vice versa. Water vapor is a primary greenhouse gas and therefore contributes to the Earth’s climate––and this has a significant impact on rainfall, droughts and even flooding.

Water is a nonrenewable resource and with only a small fraction of freshwater available to meet the needs of our growing population, innovative solutions are necessary for preserving it and ensuring equitable access for all.

Energy is a key factor in the supply and demand of water. The availability of energy affects the number of people who can have access to potable water, which is a key factor in sustainable development.