Principles of Sustainable Living

Richard Jurin, PhD, is an associate professor in the College of Natural and Health Sciences at the University of Northern Colorado. His research interests include worldviews as barriers to sustainability, sustainable development, business leadership for sustainability, and sustainability in tourism and interpretation. Dr. Jurin has two other books to his credit as well as book chapters and numerous articles on sustainability and related issues. He has made dozens of professional presentations on sustainability, including keynote presentations at national conferences. He received the University of Northern Colorado Academic Leadership Excellence Award for 2010-11.

Chapter 1 Moving Toward a New Way of Living Attaining Sustainability Understanding What Is Important Worldviews That Shaped Our Thinking Barriers to Change Changing Our Thinking Summary Learning Activities Glossary References and Resources Chapter 2 Social and Cultural Trends Trends That Shape Our Lives Consequences of Current Trends Catalysts for Future Trends Creating New Trends Summary Learning Activities Glossary References and Resources Chapter 3 Standard of Living versus Quality of Life Waking Up From the Illusion of the American Dream Redefining Progress All-Encompassing Consumerism Advertising Marketing Adjusting Our Attitude Summary Learning Activities Glossary References and Resources Chapter 4 Thinking Systemically and Sustainably Systemic Versus Symptomatic Thinking Critical Thinking Analyzing Root Problems Thinking Sustainably Barriers to Changing our thinking Summary Learning Activities Glossary References and Resources Chapter 5 Economics, Prosperity, and Sustainability Brief History of Economics Types of Economies Our Current High Standard of Living Measures of Current Wealth Economics Undermining Community Managing and Avoiding Personal Debt Improving Economic Practices to Enhance Quality of Life New Measures of Prosperity Reshaping the Global Economy Summary Learning Activities Glossary References and Resources Chapter 6 Choosing a Healthy, Sustainable Lifestyle Reasons for Poor Health Industrial Farming Sustainable Farming Methods Corporate Agriculture versus Community Supported Agriculture Healthy Lifestyle Choices Summary Learning Activities Glossary References and Resources Chapter 7 Happiness and Well-Being Determinants of Happiness and Well-Being Ranking Happiness and Well-Being Emotional Well-Being Social Well-Being Ecological and Spiritual Well-Being Summary Learning Activities Glossary References and Resources Chapter 8 Education Education in the 21st Century Becoming an Informed Citizen Communicating Effectively Reforming Education Summary Learning Activities Glossary References and Resources Chapter 9 Technology and Industrial Ecology Shifting Toward a Sustainability Paradigm Technology Involves Risk Industrial Ecology Green Energy and Society Biommicry The Future of Electrical Energy Managing and Eliminating Waste Summary Learning Activities Glossary References and Resources Chapter 10 Community Types of Communities What Makes Up a Community Community Resilience Social Benefits of Community Substitute Communities Urban Renewal Postmodern Communities Economic Community Urban and Community Gardens Civic Agency Moving Toward Sustainable Communities Summary Learning Activities Glossary References and Resources Chapter 11 Transitioning to Sustainable Living Transitional Communities Ecovillages Relocalization and Resilience New Urbanism Summary Learning Activities Glossary References and Resources Chapter 12 On the Edge of Change Change Is Possible Transitioning to a New Culture Cultivating New Perspectives Adopting New Ideas Becoming Cultural Critics Facilitating Discussion Affecting Change Improving Policy-Making Creating a Cooperative World Achieving Empowerment Summary Learning Activities Glossary References and Resources