Charlotte Business Journal: Sustainability

How do you define sustainability?

During a recent panel discussion focusing on sustainability and sponsored by the Charlotte Business Journal, industry experts had varying definitions.

Sol Haroon, director of renewable energy with McKim & Creed, defined sustainability as meeting current needs for resources without compromising future generations’ ability to meet their own needs.

Kristina Held, co-owner of Insight Architects, said sustainability “shouldn’t feel harsh or forced, and it’s not something that you have to sacrifice for. It’s voluntary and makes life better.”

Upcycling only the trees that come down naturally—or “out of our control”—is how Damon Barron, founder of Carolina Urban Lumber, described his company’s business model.

In the public sector, Erin Stanforth, sustainability and resiliency manager for Mecklenburg County, defined sustainability as “citizens having current and future access to quality resources, such as clean water and air, and safe places to live, work, play and go to school.”

Panelists went on to discuss the challenges associated with implementing sustainable practices, keys to success and habits that advance sustainability.

To learn more about the panel discussion, click here or on the graphic above.