Golisano Institute for Sustainability
What is sustainability?
The 1987 “Our Common Future” report of the World Commission on Environment and Development defines sustainable development as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Simply stated, a sustainable process is one which can be carried out over and over without negative environmental effects, such as air and water pollution, solid waste, and biodegradation which lead to larger, global problems including climate change and destruction of natural resources.
GIS’ Focus
The education, research, and technology transfer at the Golisano Institute for Sustainability applies a systems approach to industrial optimization while simultaneously addressing:
- material flow
- energy utilization
- societal needs
- ecological impacts
- technology and policy
- economies of sustainable business practices
Graduates of the Golisano Institute for Sustainability will have skills in life cycle assessment, environmental risk and impact assessment, design for the environment; knowledge of corporate strategies for sustainability; and government policies for promoting sustainability.
For more information on the Golisano Institute for Sustainability at RIT, please contact:
Paul Stiebitz
Interim Academic Director
phseie@rit.edu
585-475-2602
Golisano Institute for Sustainability
Rochester Institute of Technology
111 Lomb Memorial Drive
Rochester, NY 14623
info@sustainability.rit.edu