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THE WISE WONDERS | Project

Image by NASA
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WHAT | STEP 2: FOOTPRINT - DOING THINGS RIGHT

Reduce negative impacts

Sustainability typically means reducing negative impacts in the production and use of a product. This means that focus for that approach to sustainability is often on doing the same things in a less harmful way.

On this page you can see what kind of actions this usually includes and how they should be prioritised according to the widely used "Mitigation hierarchy".

A note of caution when reading the below is that while harm reduction is necessary for the solutions truly needed to meet basic needs, most efforts to reduce a solution's footprint focus on doing the same things less bad rather than on questioning if the solution is needed in the first place. This means that many solutions can on the whole  encourage further consumption as those solutions are marketed as 'green'.

It is therefore important to review this step after the first step (Mindprint) has been taken, to understand if and what real needs might exist for kids to flourish and choose a solution based on that.

Image by Alexis Fauvet

1. Identify real needs

"Do the right things" first - "do things right" thereafter

Based on the Decent Living Standards framework used by the IPCC, as well as other acknowledged human needs frameworks, this site includes solutions for the needs below. The first three categories focus on needs for a child's personal growth, while Smart living and Nutrion & Health relate to its physiological needs. The last need, Participation, may be seen as a higher level need as it moves beyond the individual itself to contribute to the betterment of society. If a basic need is identified, the second step is to prioritise actions to meet the need, see below.

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WHAT | PRIORITISATION

Prioritisation of actions for harm reduction

To mitigate or compensate for negative impacts, there are essentially four different strategies according to the widespread “Mitigation Hierarchy”. First, negative impacts that can be avoided should be avoided. Second, impacts that can't be avoided should be reduced.

 

If needed, restoration and offsetting projects should only be used as a last resort and with great caution, as they are unproven, related to high risks and can result in dangerous unsustainable lock-ins. In line with the most ambitious climate science that focuses on mitigation instead of offsetting, offsetting is not dealt with on this site (the same goes for restoration that could be seen as a form of offsetting, compensating for harm already done). Still, they are mentioned to provide an understanding of where they are on the priority list and what risks are associated with them.

Image by Beth Hope
Image by Frames For Your Heart
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Planting a Tree

1. Avoid

2. Reduce

3. Restore

4. Offset

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Image by NASA
Gradient overlay_edited_edited.png
For all mankind_edited.png

WHAT | 1.0 FOOTPRINT - DOING THINGS RIGHT

Reduce negative impacts

Sustainability typically means reducing negative impacts in the production and use of a product. This means that focus for this approach to sustainability is often on doing the same things in a less harmful way.

On this page you can see what kind of actions this usually includes and how they should be are prioritised according to the widely used "Mitigation hierarchy".

A note of caution when reading the below is that while harm reduction is necessary for the solutions truly needed to meet basic needs, most efforts to reduce a solution's footprint focus on doing the same things less bad rather than on questioning if it is needed from the start. This means that while many solutions are often promoted as 'green', they may still overall contribute to even more unsustainable trends since it might encourage further consumption as those solutions are sold as 'green'. In other words, you critical thinking is crucial!

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