Foreword

“I think you should always bear in mind that entropy is not on your side.” - Elon Musk

This quote is true for all of us. Every person, no matter how diligent or gifted, is doomed to experience a total failure of body processes. No system can be sustained forever. Systems fail, empires fall, and even the universe will succumb to total heat death. Sometimes, we expedite this process ourselves. Human intervention has rapidly deteriorated the sustainability of the environment.

However, there are some who resist.

Adenike Akinsemolu joins the ranks of men and women who fight for environmental sustainability while others accept the diminishing state of the world. As a person active in promoting and investigating sustainability in my community and the world, who has spent decades focusing on sustainability in the field of energy and engineering, I recognize Akinsemolu’s diligence and see its reflection in this work. She understands that the unprecedented and rampant growth in population during the past century presents daunting challenges - but also sees the opportunity in mass cooperation in efforts to move towards sustainability. The work is both informative in its content, a reminder of our relationship to the environment, and a call to action. However, there’s still confusion about issues of sustainability and green living despite its importance. That’s where this text comes in.

In the book, The Principles of Green and Sustainability Science, Akinsemolu provides a comprehensive and step-by-step guide to understanding sustainability. Beginning with the concept of going Green, the text explores far-reaching implications in the fields of computer science, engineering, physics, and more. The book offers empirical evidence and examines best practices to create a holistic approach to more harmonious living. This understanding of sustainability in the totality of its reach can allow nations and individuals to set, and hopefully to achieve, more appropriate sustainability goals.

Today, we’re far from meeting the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Ironically, Akinsemolu first highlights the 17th goal: the need for partnership in turning these goals into our greatest accomplishments. Although some think of humanity as owning the planet, much of humankind has long viewed itself as stewards of the Earth. Yet we have damaged the ozone layer, destroyed forests, littered the marine world, and threatened the animal kingdom. This text illuminates the path towards repairing this relationship with our environment by working together towards a more sustainable future. Akinsemolu takes an aspirational approach and reminds us that anyone can join the effort.

The book offers immediate actions that the individual can take. Akinsemolu adopts a practical approach which examines how everyday activities affect climate, ecosystems, and more. As such, the book presents both a top-down methodology and grassroots vision. While covering broad topics, the text offers practices for readers to put into action in their everyday lives. It’s an invitation to explore the mindset of sustainability and take action. A consistent source of inspiration and illustration throughout the text is the use of examples of sustainability contributions. Each chapter highlights a prime example of a single person’s ability to bring about a greater balance with the environment.

This text is not a stand-alone effort. It is born within a culture of progress towards sustainability. The book enriches a global movement while highlighting efforts in Africa. Africa has seen examples of substantial initiatives towards sustainability and Green living. One such example is the Green Institute in Nigeria, which aims to “build the next generation of sustainability innovators through education, advocacy and social entrepreneurship.” This type of education will prove vital to global sustainability. Indeed, a 2016 Forbes report by Amy Jadesimi stated that Nigeria “lies on the cusp of greatness” as the country has an abundance of resources and an economy which has grown annually. One way this is becoming a reality is through education that challenges traditional forms of education, which at times have thwarted the progress of humanity. This text carries the same spirit of presenting an updated conversation on the topic of sustainability.

Akinsemolu views sustainability as progress. The benefits are manifold when social, economic, and environmental equilibrium is found. Applying sound principles of sustainability science is needed to avoid damaging Earth, our home, and the life and civilization on it. With this in mind, it is my hope that this text becomes a standard choice for inclusion in the education of readers globally on the challenges and threats to sustainability and the best practices to protect the environment and promote a balanced ecosystem.

The material and educational approach in this book are past due. At this stage, we must live in a more green and sustainable manner if we are to thrive. We must change if we are to flourish. For Akinsemolu, sustainability is more than delaying the inevitable - it is the promise of a future.

Professor Marc A. Rosen, Ph.D., P.Eng., FEIC, FCSME, FASME, FIEF, FCAE, FCSSE
Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science
University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Canada
March 9, 2020