Question One: Why does sustainability matter to you?

Margaret Lowman

Sustainability is the essence of our ability to maintain a long-term population on this planet. As a mom (more than as a scientist), I truly feel strong ethics about this principle of a way to live together better.

Diana Bauer

A sustainability perspective helps us come up with different possibilities for the future. I find this challenging and stimulating.

Peter W. Williams

For me, 'sustainability' in its broadest sense means creating the economic, social and environmental resilience in society to ensure long term survival. It entails ensuring that our natural, cultural and economic resources are used in way that don't diminish our earth's capacity to meet current needs and those of our offspring. From a more human perspective, it means protecting and improving the capacity of our society to recognize and live within the natural limits of our environment and do so in a fashion which does not damage the integrity of the natural ecosystems which surround us.

Question Two: What is the difference between sustainability and conservation?

Margaret Lowman

Sustainability means eke-ing out a longterm lifestyle for your own species, but conservation means stewardship of all species.

Diana Bauer

Sustainability and conservation are related. Conservation focuses on reducing the use of resources, which I will call "constraint". I think of sustainability as blending constraint plus possibility. Sustainability is about enlisting diverse brainpower to envision, design, and pursue a future that is delightful and also respects ecological and resource limits.

Peter W. Williams

They are interrelated but different. Conservation is about ensuring that our use of natural resources is done in ways that respect and protect the long term integrity of our natural ecological systems. Conservation is part of the sustainability vision, but it is not all of it. Sustainability also includes recognizing and ensuring that the short and long term basic social and economic requirements of people are met ways that recognize and respect the functioning of natural ecoystems.

Question Three: What is one thing that you are personally doing that supports the idea of sustainability?

Margaret Lowman

I operate (and fund-raise) for a non-profit organization called TREE Foundation that advocates ideas relating to sustainability and conservation for southwest Florida and beyond. Our mission is tree research, education and exploration -- Using canopy research and other forest science, we inspire kids to get into nature, we train students from developing countries, and we communicate to the general public about issues relating to forest conservation and sustainability. I also serve on several national boards that promote sustainability (The Explorers Club, Earthwatch, Ecological Society of America, for example) but the grassroots and local efforts are often the most productive.

Diana Bauer

I have set up my life so that I can walk or take a short subway ride to work, the store, friends, museums, movies, theater etc., and I don't own a car.

Peter W. Williams

At a professional level, I create and share knowledge with others about the most efficient and effective ways of reducing tourism's foot print on the earth. At a more personal level and whenever possible, I reduce my ecological footprint by using eco-efficient water and energy cosnumption practices. I absolutely will not use water from plastic bottles, and wear really cozy sweaters to keep the heat thermostat down during our colder winter months.

Question Four: What is the weirdest place you have ever traveled to?

Margaret Lowman

Definitely New York City, with its millions of people living together in green harmony. I have traveled throughout the Amazon jungle, hiked to Macchu Picchu, survived rural villages in Ethiopia, and endured the harsh outback of Australia, but NYC is most definitely "THE jungle" of our planet, and I admire everyone who manages to thrive in that ecosystem.

Diana Bauer

"Weirdest" is of course in the eye of the beholder. Some of the places I have found most surprising blend multiple cultures in unexpected ways. About 15 years ago, I went to Vientiane, the capital of Laos. Vientiane is just across the Mekong River from Thailand. At the time, Vientiane was a slow-paced place. There were very few cars: most of the traffic was on bicycles. Unlike neighboring Asian capitals, no skyscrapers were being built. Given the isolated feel of the place, I was very surprised to find river-side cafes serving fresh croissants right next to spicy noodle stands. Also, as a Caucasian traveling in Asia, I was used to locals shouting "hello" as I passed. However, in Vientiane, the common greeting offered to me on the street was "Etes-vous encore marie?" ("Are you married yet?")

Peter W. Williams

Probably, California!! Where else in the world do so many people, who proudly boast about their State's natural beauty and climate, place so much stress on those very same features through their seeming unquenchable thirst for energy guzzling cars, over-powered pickups, and emission spewing recreational toys. Iti s one of the world's great and unexplicable paradoxes!