How Do We Define “Sustainability”?

The word sustainability is typically used in reference to environmental sustainability, but the term encompasses three distinct components: Planet, People, and Profit.

Planet = Environmental Sustainability: Avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance.

People = Social Sustainability: Utilizing resources in a manner that does not compromise but rather elevates human rights and protections. Health, educational access, democracy, cultural preservation, and the political empowerment of women are just some of the elements of social sustainability.

Profit = Economic Sustainability: Maintaining economic growth as a driving force for societal progress and well-being (e.g., reducing hunger and improving global quality of life).

To learn how we define Sustainable Tourism, Responsible Travel, Ecotourism, and Regenerative Travel, we welcome you to read our internal Sustainability Terminology Guide.

What Does Green Lodging Mean?

In order to achieve these multi-pronged efforts toward sustainability, green lodgings might opt to purchase reclaimed building materials, energy-efficient lighting, and low-flow water fixtures. A property's water might be recaptured and used as "gray" water for plants, toilets, etc., or guests might be given the option to reuse their towels and/or linens. Read on to see what specifically makes Sonoma County's green lodgings, well ... green?

What Does LEED Certification Mean?

Designed by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a green building certification used around the world, for all types of buildings — including a few here in Sonoma County. The LEED certification process helps land developers, architects, and building owners implement practices that decrease a building's environmental footprint and operational costs, increase its energy efficiency, and ensure the productivity, comfort, health and wellbeing of the people who use it. Read more about LEED Certification and how our Sonoma County partners are leading the way.

What Does Carbon Neutral Mean?

Carbon neutrality is the act of releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, but then offsetting those emissions through carbon sequestration efforts, which is important to limit the effects of climate change. Many Sonoma County farmers, land managers, businesses, and residents are working hard to achieve carbon neutrality here, and happily, visitors to Sonoma County can join in this pursuit. Read on to learn more about carbon, its sequestration, and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as vital ways we can help improve our planet.

What Does Organic Mean?

First developed in reaction to environmental pollution caused by the U.S. agricultural industry’s heavy use of toxic fertilizers and pesticides in the first half of the 20th century, organic farming focuses mainly on the strict use of pure, natural products (e.g., composts and meals) derived from mineral, plant, or animal matter. In switching to these natural products, the goal is to encourage biodiversity in the soil web, which will increase the soil's carbon content and strengthen its ability to resist pests, diseases, and erosion, as well as capture and filter water. Read more about what it means to farm, grow and sell organic produce and products.

What Does Regenerative Farming Mean?

Regenerative farming is a way of farming that focuses on the continued improvement of soil health and combating and/or adapting to the effects of climate change. The focus of regenerative farms is on increased biodiversity, the sequestration or preservation of water reserves, building resilience to drought, and helping farmers adapt to a changing climate. It’s a more holistic approach than sustainable farming in that it goes beyond the maintenance of the soil and is more deeply focused on a response to the changing climate in a variety of specific ways. Read on to see how does it differ from sustainable or organic farming and which businesses in Sonoma County are leading the charge or have already paved the way?