Georgia Tech Expert to Discuss Sustainability

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Whether it's in reference to forms of energy, housing or transportation, many people assume there is a uniform definition of "sustainability."

But Bryan Norton, professor of philosophy in the School of Public Policy at Georgia Tech, believes that people's ideas about what is sustainable are largely influenced by their culture and community.

As part of UB's celebration this semester of its environmental commitment under the theme "A Greener Shade of Blue," the Environment and Society Institute and the Department of Philosophy, College of Arts and Sciences, will host Norton, who will give two free public talks on March 9.

Norton will speak on "Sustainability: A Philosophy of Adaptive Ecosystem Management" at 11 a.m. in the Center for the Arts and on "American Pragmatism and Environmental Ethics" at 3 p.m. in 280 Park Hall, both on the North (Amherst) Campus.

"There is not a single definition of sustainability," Norton says. "What people really mean by the term sustainability is to ask what they value. Sustain what? I think that's a community-based question."

In Western New York and at UB in particular, Norton's writings have had a profound influence on scientists, engineers and managers seeking to apply the concept of adaptive management to the ongoing restoration of the Great Lakes.

Norton is an associated scientist at Zoo Atlanta, serving on the institutional panel that reviews zoo research and its impact on animals in the zoo. He has been an advisor to the Environmental Protection Agency and has conducted research on the socio-economic impact of global climate change for the U.S. Forest Service Global Change Program, as well as other projects on biodiversity policies sponsored by the National Science Foundation.

Norton's books include "Why Preserve Natural Variety," "Toward Unity Among Environmentalists," "Ethics of the Ark" and, most recently, "Sustainability: A Philosophy of Adaptive Ecosystem Management."