What is Sustainability?

Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

(World Commission on Environment and Development. (1987). Our common future. England: Oxford University Press.)

Sustainability is usually characterized by the "triple bottom line" of promoting:

1. Healthy Environments
2. Social Justice
3. Economic Growth

In other words, we need to respect both current and future generations by striving for not only environmental, but also social and economic sustainability.

Commuters - What Can You Do?

Educate Yourselves

• Take opportunities to learn about sustainability
• Be informed, vote, and get involved in the political process.

Adapt Your Transportation Routine

• Reduce pollution and save fuel by carpooling and using public transportation.
  Post a carpool topic on the Commuting Student Services portal group! Click here.
• Do not idle your car.
• Walk or bike across campus and in your neighborhoods
• Buying a new car? Purchase a hybrid, or a fuel efficient car.

Don’t forget to recycle:

Reduce waste through community recycling programs. Become a part of a world-wide effort to protect and save our environment. If you have any questions about recycling in the Town of Hempstead, please call the Recycling Coordinator at 516-378-2200 or visit http://www.townofhempstead.org/content/cs/recycling.html

Tips at home

• Save energy by turning off lights and computers, and setting heating and cooling temperatures correctly.
• Consume less by using durable goods such as coffee mugs or water bottles instead of disposables or throwaways.
• Change to energy efficient light bulbs
• Use energy conservation and renewable energies instead of fossil fuels whenever possible
• Whenever possible, use silverware rather than disposable plastic forks, knives and spoons.
• Use the stairs not the elevator when going up less than three flights or down less than five.
• When you shop for a new appliance, look for the Energy Star label-your assurance that the product saves energy.