{"id":28487,"date":"2023-09-25T17:00:12","date_gmt":"2023-09-25T21:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/undiscoveredmaine\/?page_id=28487"},"modified":"2026-03-10T21:40:02","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T01:40:02","slug":"sustainability","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/undiscoveredmaine\/seed-model\/sustainability\/","title":{"rendered":"Sustainability"},"content":{"rendered":"

A critical part of the SEED model is to incorporate sustainability practices into all elements of the ecosystem if possible. This page provides an overview of several aspects of them<\/p>\n

This figure shows an enhanced depiction of the major pillars of sustainability: environmental, social, and economic sustainability; also known as people, planet and prosperity. (Credit: Dr. M. Woersdoerfer)<\/p>\n

\"Enhanced<\/p>\n

Small businesses and communities can proactively implement sustainability practices. One study found “that 34% of consumers are willing to pay a premium for sustainable products, with millennials and Gen Z leading the way at 42 and 39% respectively. Although these generations are the youngest consumers, they are also the largest generations, have significant purchasing power, and the importance of their opinions and preferences is only likely to grow.” (Vijayendra, 2023). This infers that embracing sustainable practices is not only ethical, but a good business strategy. Note that the enhanced image of sustainability includes “partnership”, inferring that a collaborative such as our planned ecosystem is an integral part of achieving sustainability.<\/p>\n

Here are some examples of sustainable practices:<\/p>\n

Environmental <\/strong>(From Green Business Bureau)<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. “SWITCH ALL LIGHTING TO LEDS, ONE OF THE EASIEST SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS PRACTICES<\/li>\n
  2. IMPLEMENT A COMPREHENSIVE RECYCLING PROGRAM (including e-waste)<\/li>\n
  3. ALLOW FLEXIBLE WORK-FROM-HOME OPTIONS (reduces emissions) and encourage public transportation and ride sharing.<\/li>\n
  4. ELIMINATE PAPER USE<\/li>\n
  5. INSTALL WATER-SAVING FIXTURES<\/li>\n
  6. CONSIDER RENEWABLE ENERGY (including LED bulbs)<\/li>\n
  7. REPLACE UNNECESSARY BUSINESS TRIPS WITH VIDEO CALLS<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Create a local supply chain<\/strong>. This reduces emissions, provides business for local suppliers, and supports the community.<\/p>\n

    Social<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Pay fair wages for a decent quality of life with decent benefits such as health care<\/li>\n
    2. Corporate culture that focuses on respect, inclusiveness, diversity, ; where everyone feels valued<\/li>\n
    3. Parental leave and child care benefits<\/li>\n
    4. Collaborate with nonprofits<\/li>\n
    5. Affordable healthcare, housing and childcare<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Economic<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Sustainable economic growth<\/li>\n
      2. Community investment and collaboration policies<\/li>\n
      3. Green jobs<\/li>\n
      4. Invest a percentage of profits into the environmental and social aspects of the TBL.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        \"Sustainability<\/p>\n

        1. No Poverty: End poverty in all its forms everywhere<\/div>\n
        2. Zero Hunger: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture<\/div>\n
        3. Good Health and Well-Being for People: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages<\/div>\n
        4. Quality Education: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all<\/div>\n
        5. Gender Equality: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls<\/div>\n
        6. Clean Water and Sanitation: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all<\/div>\n
        7. Affordable and Clean Energy: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all<\/div>\n
        8. Decent Work and Economic Growth: Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all<\/div>\n
        9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation<\/div>\n
        10. Reduced Inequalities: Reduce income inequality within and among countries<\/div>\n
        11. Sustainable Cities and Communities: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable<\/div>\n
        12. Responsible Consumption and Production: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns<\/div>\n
        13. Climate Action: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts by regulating emissions and promoting developments in renewable energy<\/div>\n
        14. Life Below Water: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development<\/div>\n
        15. Life on Land: Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss<\/div>\n
        16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels<\/div>\n
        17. Partnerships for the Goals: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development<\/div>\n

        Note- we will focus on goals # 8 and 11 in this project.<\/p>\n

        Green Business Bureau (2021): https:\/\/greenbusinessbureau.com\/green-practices\/20-sustainable-business-practices-for-your-workplace-and-office\/<\/p>\n

        Vijayendra (2023): https:\/\/www.allbusiness.com\/how-can-small-businesses-be-more-sustainable<\/p>\n

        Return to the Aroostook River Page<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

        Return to the SEED model page<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        A critical part of the SEED model is to incorporate sustainability practices into all elements of the ecosystem if possible. This page provides an overview of several aspects of them This figure shows an enhanced depiction of the major pillars of sustainability: environmental, social, and economic sustainability; also known as people, planet and prosperity. 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