"Irony is the most perfect form of thinking"

What is your experience of learning and sustainability?

My experience in learning related to sustainability is, up until now, almost non existence. The university that I attendant wasn't really a pioneer in this matter, being more incline to literature and social humanities and less into science. But one thing that I gather in the African Literature class, was the urgent necessity of literacy in some of the african countries (we had more focus on Portuguese speaking countries). The illiteracy in this countries are hampering the development in these countries, and knowing education is one of the foundations ones enlightenment, as soon as I finished my degree I started an online blog, much similar to this one with free beginners teaching lessons and material:

Burro Velho Não Aprende Línguas

I started with the idea of abandoning old stereotypes on teaching books and tried to present a  useful content, some humor in between, with beautiful pictures framing examples, that would encourage engaging, with real role models of multicultural background. I thought people, no matter where they from or their background, deserve a chance in life, and they should look up to good role models as they could potentially become one themselves.
ex: Identity

To be true, I didn't know what the hell I was doing, cause I've never had taught before, and I'm sure I'ts filled with mistakes that should be supervised by someone else. But I wasn't expecting the feedback I got. People wrote me from all over the world, especially from the "less developed" countries thanking me. Teachers, students or merely curiouses wrote personal letters thanking me, telling me how useful they are, to children and grown ups.

This, to me, is sustainability in social equality, in environment protection and in economic progression, as those people will get a chance to make something for themselves, people that did not had chance to learn otherwise,  without a huge carbon footprint.

Now, with the course on Sustainability, Society and You, I think that I learn a lot about sustainability, especially awareness about thing that I didn't put in the equation, like the carbon footprint on internet servers, or how sustainability isn't adverse to economy, as SWOT reports showed us, but an integrated part of it, or the knowledge of where do our electrical power comes from and how much is wasted on the process. All of this could be integrated in a Portuguese learning course to foreign people, quite easily.

Anthropocentric or ecocentric?

Since the Renascence, man has taken a anthropocentric philosophy that grant them to be the central, most important species in the world. Thus man has taken the vital role of superior being, ruler of other species, and master of the environment he is in. In this perspective, all non-human being are inferior and expendable: animals, plants, environment and earth it self. In more recent years this focus has changed, from this anthropocentric perspective to a ecocentric philosophy, that in a way levels all beings on earth, being a more environment nature focus, considering man a part of nature that belongs to nature and it's nature that provides for him, source of life itself.
I would lie if I said I didn't had a bit anthropocentric philosophy. I do believe a human being had gain a status of rational superiority than allow him dominate is environment and it might be a mechanism of survival itself. That being said I also believe man has achieved enough enlightenment and knowledge to understand the utmost respect he should have towards all thing natural, that this respect and a egalitarian perspective would only be fruitful to both nature and man. Man know the benefits of coo-existing and also knows that man's survival might be dependent on it . Only attune with nature will he grant the legacy of life for future generations. So with that in mind, and a deep respect for all things natural, I also have an ecocentric philosophy.

GONÇALVES, Susana, "A SWOT Studie on the Analysis of Quinta da Regaleira Sustainability Strategy"

A SWOT Studie on the Analysis of Quinta da Regaleira Sustainability Strategy  

By Susana Gonçalves

Strengths 

What does the organisation do well? 

Quinta da Regaleira, under the leadership of Cultursintra Foundation is a business model that allows tourist to visit a recreation space that features astonishing monuments with a great architectonic value, beautiful and plentiful garden, providing a cultural environment, supporting theatrical plays, music events, educational space and multicultural performances and lectures.
It also has, included in the space, a cat shelter, a bat habitat, a duck pound and, throughout the year, it receives several migrating bird species that embellish and further enriches the space itself.

What are the main ‘sustainability assets’ of the organisation? 

It has a steady flow of visitors that tend to grow each year.
Flora includes 1.600 botanic species, including several arboreal native and exotic species, that reduce carbon foot print in a considerable way.
Recently a organic farm project and compost program was put in place to provide educational moments for young audience.

Weaknesses: 

What could the organisation improve on? 

Quinta da Regaleira should improve it's sustainable measures, like water and power savings.

Also merchandising value, by recognizing a mainstream demand on products not available, as well as demographics of the audience.
It should diverse their offering to different sorts of experience like food tasting, adventure package, combine tickets, etc. 

Patrimony protection (architectural and natural) is faulty and needs to be reinforce, either by the presence of staff or structural restrictions. Also legal liability on safety matter, being Quinta da Regaleira a place prone to injures hazards, should be addressed and prevented.  

What resources does the organisation lack to improve its sustainability? 

A coordinated approach to environmental  protection either of architectonic structures, space cleanliness and recycle space available to the public, as well as staff training to reduce waste, power and water saving. Also a newsletter to the employees, with appropriated information instead of paper hand given paper.

Some small technological improvements like a water reducer, power timer or major technological improvements like photovoltaic solar panels or proper insulation, would be recommended.

Opportunities:

What external factors might help the organisation to improve its sustainability?

A global awareness about sustainability issues are, each day, growing in the public's eye, and they tend to preconceive in a better light organizations that are concern with environmental, equitable and sustainable supported issues.
In an economic point of view, with the rising prices of resources, especial water and power, every measure taken to prevent water and electrical power loss, for example, or to increase it's efficiency it's a step towards money saving and profit.
There should be encourage continuous formation of skilled employees with courses that might include several topics from learning new language skills, recognition of bird species, first aid courses, forest protection, staff cooperation, conflict resolutions, benefits of organic compost, etc.

Are there obvious things that the organisation should be doing that it isn’t?

Encourage water and electrical savings.

Reduce paper usage and waste.

Promote it's space as an healthy environment.
Promoting local crafts and gastronomy.

Promote benefits or price reductions for visitors with disability's or unemployed's.

Recognize the volume of visitors from an unexpected demographic area (Russia) as well as others European languages like French or German that, due to globalization, have been forgotten, especially in the translation of reading material that is now concentrated in only in three languages: Portuguese; Spanish; and English.

Improve further the diversity of  shows, events, or programs involving, if needed, partnerships with other business and the community. 

Threats: 

Where and what are the environmental challenges facing the organisation? 

The major challenge is keep expanding within equitable social values, environmental concern and economic sustainability.
The company faces heavy competition by other companies and monuments, better divulge, and needs to advertise and reinforce its presence in foreign travel agencies and market. 

Also it might take in attention the threat of wildfires in the area, promoting not restrictions but awareness of fire dangers, as well as the benefits of preservation of the natural environment.

Another concern might be the structural expansion limitations due to the framing of the space in a world heritage area.

Are there particular threats facing the organisation’s staff ?

The lack of communication and common goal sense between employers and staff  might be detrimental to the organization, as well as the lack of possibility in career progression, might upset the good function and positive outcome of relations. 

Let's pollute

"Irony is the expression of most perfect form of thinking" Florbela Espanca, Portuguese poet.

Week 1: what do we think sustainability is?

The course began by making introducing, asking about aspiration a giving the learners some useful tips about the course. 

Keep in mind this is the first time I try out this kind of learning method and I'm still trying to figure out how it works, plus is given in a foreign language, being Portuguese my first language. So I'm still a bit concern whether I'll be able to coup with it or not.

It started by making us take a poll on what we think its the most sustainable method:

- Which is better for the environment - incineration of waste, or disposal via landfill? Which do you think is more sustainable? 

-Drying your hands with hot air dryers or using paper towels?

-If you have the option of using a dishwasher, do you think it is more sustainable than washing up by hand?

A lot different answers were give, and a lot change during the readings for the one that at the end of the modules toke this week. If I may say it kind of complicated my perspective because it has controversial arguments and so many layers to it. For example I still favor paper towels if you use Joe Smith method on using a paper towel because I usually recycle it. But let us say that, in a sunny country like Portugal, a hot air dryer is energized by a photo voltaic solar panel is that more. sustainable? Still the best might be the Dyson Airblade dryer. I change this answer after reading a bit more about it. I was still not convinced but might be the best option. Most people don't recycle hand towels anyway (although it may be done). Better yet you can just dry your hands on you clothes. But see my point its quite confusing.

Then we tried to defining sustainability. Ok, this is my definition: 

Sustainability is an evolution concept that is based in fairly modern concerns, brought up especially by science and technologies with the means to prove and measure the impact of humans development in the environment, and the realization that the pressure of our own needs is undermining our planet support. It's the search for solutions, new mind sets and new behaviors that allow us to protect future generation from the global challenges we face, allowing them to still have resources and giving them tools to keep those resources within environment and Earth's boundaries. Re-use resources already taken and used in our generation while giving them, and the planet, a proper and juster way of substance and access to basic living needs while improving earths inhabitants conditions of living.

We were provided with some historical background like the Gro Brundtland's thoughts on Climate Change and Our Common Future, theory's and fundamental principles that might help us with this. I loved the Natural Step principle. I'll leave here some other of the presented approaches guidelines like the basic Pillars of sustainability.

Still a great formal definition on sustainability might resume to:

“Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”  

Also It was debated if school should teach Sustainability and in what level. So here is my thoughts: 

The government should invest more in education and size every opportunity to do it, and specially at a early stage. This applies to all countries and should be done at a practical level like, for example, using biological farms to teach biology or the clean up of a beach to increase the awareness of wast and proper recycle. Not only enlightenment kids are more likely to act with a sustainable concern but they teach, make pressure and ashamed (a great teaching tool) grown ups. In Portugal, for example, the the recycle circle was brought to education in the last decade. Even elder people do it now, not just because they are interested in it but because their grandchildren put pressure and taught them how to. Another great tool might be advertisement.

The learning with other cultures was also incentiveted and proposed. Several testimony add a new layer of understanding. This gives you a wider view of the world around us. 

SUSTAINABILITY, SOCIETY AND YOU.

I usually think that Facebook hardly helps you in any way. It's a great waste of time, in my opinion, and a narcissistic enterprise although with great possibility's. But from time to time you get to see some great information rather than vacation photos, main stream second hand posts or comic motivation posts. And as might have found out, there are key persons that share awesome information that might impact on you real life. This happen to me with a shared information about Future Learn.
Future Learn is a online, collage level, learn opportunity that presents a variety of courses that might be up your alley. From forensic science to neurological based programs you may chose to get a few weeks program that give you some very useful tools on a topic you always wanted to know more about. I have chosen SUSTAINABILITY, SOCIETY AND YOU.