Defining a term so new can be rather difficult in a sentence or two.

The word itself has not cemented itself into popular language and its boundaries still shift and twist. It would be best to examine applied sustainability from multiple approaches.

Natures Example:
APPLY

Four of the phrases that Merriam-Webster (2012) uses to define the word apply work well in this case:
to put to use especially for some practical purpose to bring into action to put into operation or effect to employ diligently or with close attention

SUSTAINABILITY

The commonly accepted definition of sustainability came out of the Brundtland Commissions 1987 report Our Common Future. Sustainability was defined by development that meets the needs and
aspirations of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. APPLIED SUSTAINABILITY

Finally, what do they mean together? Applied sustainability as defined by Wikipedia (2012) is the application of science and innovation to meet human needs while indefinitely preserving the life support systems of the planet.

Perhaps more than anything else, the forest demonstrates natures conservation of resources and simple sustainability. By that we mean that the forest ecosystem wastes nothing, and that the needs of the present generation of trees, animals, and other organisms are met without depleting the resources needed for future generations. Everything that goes into the system remains in the system, in some form or another. Each dead tree feeds another, every raindrop is harvested, and as long as average weather conditions persist, this cycle can go on forever, without ever running out. ~Wiland & Bell (2006)

Sustainability is a field of science like engineering or medicine. As in these fields, there are mounds of data generated by studies and research waiting to be utilized. When we add the word apply to sustainability, we create action. When sustainability knowledge is applied in practical & innovative ways we improve economy, humanity, and the environment.

Brundtland Commission. Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development: Our Common Future (1987). Retrieved 2 October 2012 from UN-Documents.net: http://www.un-documents.net/our-common-future.pdf environment.umn.edu (2011). Our Themes. Retrieved 2 October 2012 from environment.umn.edu: http://environment.umn.edu/about/themes.html Meriam-Webster (2012). Definition of "Apply. Retrieved 2 October 2012 from Meriam-Webster online dictionary: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apply

he Institute on the Environment (IonE) at the University of Minnesota does more than just use the word sustainability at least once per webpage, in fact, they do quite a bit, including managing the universitys undergraduate and graduate programs in the field of sustainability.

W
A

lthough applied sustainability is never directly stated or mentioned on IonEs our themes page you can tell it is an embodiment of their work when they say, Were redefining how knowledge is created and used to solve global sustainability challenges. Our collaborative, stakeholder- driven research is helping industries, governments and individuals move beyond window dressing greening efforts to more meaningful, systemic change by combining the markets power to innovate with academias capacity to conduct rigorous, solutionoriented research (2012).

iland and Bell spent three years traveling between Chicago, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Seattle so they could document the countless small yet powerful initiatives that people are taking all across the country in ways such as green roofs and tree planting (p 2, 2006). In many cases, the citizens did everything without committees; they just took their knowledge and applied it to create community building solutions. pplied sustainability is written all over Wiland and Bells work itself in addition to the stories they recount. They propose the answer to our ecological crisis also answers our social crisis and through applied sustainability a green economy- one with the power to lift people out of poverty while respecting and repairing the environment could be achieved (p x, 2006). Citizens are using applied sustainability to improve both the economy and the environment in their own communities.

eing a conscientious consumer can be applied sustainability when you make sure the products you support are those of companies with sustainable practices. Two companies that are excellent examples are SunChips and Naked. This is what they say on their websites in reference to their products:

we make sure that all our products make

an impact that will enhance your life and the planets [] wellness is about more than just personal health it extends to the entire world around us ~ Naked

we are taking small steps toward environmental sustainability and to projects that will have long-term benefits for our consumers and our environment. One step that we have taken is in our commitment to solar energy ~SunChips

NakedJuice.com (2011). Our Purpose. Retrieved 2 October 2012 from NakedJuice.com: http://www.nakedjuice.com/our-purpose/#/sustain SunChips.com (2012). Our Planet. Retrieved 2 October 2012 from SunChips.com: http://www.sunchips.com/our_planet.html Wikipedia.com (2012). Applied Sustainability. Retrieved 2 October 2012 from Wikipedia.com: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Applied_sustainability Wiland, H., & Bell, D. (2006). Edens lost & found. White River Junction, VT: Chelsea Green.