2

What is Sustainability?

Sustainability is “development that meets 

the needs of the current generation 

without compromising the needs of future 

generations.” (http://www.epa.gov/

sustainability/basicinfo.htm) Present 

Resources

Future

Resources

To achieve sustainability, we must balance 

present resource needs with future resource 

needs by considering the Triple Bottom 

Line (economic, environmental, and social 

considerations) in all of our decisions making.

At present, what type of an impact do you think you’re having? Calculate your ecological 

footprint using the personal calculator at www.footprintnetwork.org. You may rationalize 

that you are just one of almost 7.5 billion people on this planet, so how can your efforts or 

lack thereof possibly make a difference? Consider the IPAT formula.

Environmental Impact = Population x Affluence x Technology

First proposed by Paul Ehrlich and John Holdren in the early 1970‘s through a 

dialogue with Barry Commoner, the IPAT formula relates environmental impact ( I ) 

to population ( P ), affluence ( A ) and technology ( T )

The Great Challenge:

“How do we provide 

enough energy and 

clean water for 9 to 

10 billion people and 

their descendants to 

flourish?”*

*Without destroying the planet, 

other species, or the stable 

climage system upon which 

we all depend.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=45165

“The greatest shortcoming of the human race is our 

inability to understand the exponential function.”

Albert A. Bartlett (1923-2013)
3

JSC Sustainability Model

Executive Order 13693 requires all U.S. 

Federal Agencies create a Strategic 

Sustainability Performance Plan (SSPP). 

NASA’s SSPP can be found electronically 

on the NASA Sustainability Portal: 

http://www.nasa.gov/agency/sustainability/. 

Air Air Energy Energy

Water Water

Materials Materials Land Land

People People

Natural Resources 

we are Sustaining
What are our Sustainability Goals?

4
How do I get more involved?

5

My Sustainability Checklist

Participate in one of our monthly sustainability opportunities 

(Google: NASA JSC Sustainability)

Spread the word about your own interests and efforts at work and home

Brainstorm additional opportunities and share your success stories with 

JSC-Sustainability@mail.nasa.gov

Join the JSC Sustainability List Serve by entering your e-mail address at 

https://lists.nasa.gov/mailman/listinfo/jsc-sustainability

Join one of our JSC Sustainability Teams 

The Contractor Environmental Partnership 

(CEP) includes onsite and offsite contractor 

volunteers that work together to find 

solutions to common sustainability and 

environmental problems. The CEP pilots 

programs and projects at a contractor level 

and collaborates on how to implement 

successful solutions onsite. The CEP also 

coordinates community outreach events, 

such as the electronic recycling events at 

Space Center Houston. 

To find out more about our ongoing efforts, 

such as the Coffee to Compost Program, 

please contact Ms. Jeni Morrison. 

The Environmental Stewardship 

Subcommittee (ESS) provides bi-directional 

communication between the JSC 

Environmental Office and JSC organizations 

on environmental issues that affect the 

Center and cross organizational lines. 

Please contact the JSC Environmental 

Office to get added to the distribution list.

Questions, Ideas, Suggestions, or Success Stories? 

E-mail JSC-Sustainability@mail.nasa.gov

The Green Team is a group of JSC employees 

and contractors that seek to motivate and 

educate the JSC community to be more 

sustainable at work and at home. The Green 

Team arranges educational lectures and tours 

regarding recycling, energy conservation, 

green living and more.

Learn more at the internal JSC Green Team 

website.

Since 2004, the JSC Sustainability 

Partnership Team (SPT) combines space 

technology and technical ideas with solutions 

to terrestrial problems. The SPT strives to 

improve environmental sustainability at JSC 

and increase JSC’s exposure to ‘dual use’ 

technologies, while engaging the technical 

workforce in solving JSC’s institutional (a.k.a. 

terrestrial) sustainability problems. 

Please contact Mr. Mike Ewert to be part 

of the JSC Sustainability Partnership.
6

Air

The Air Resource at JSC includes several types of emission activities. Stationary Sources includes 

both fixed stack sources and fugitive sources. Mobile Sources include Government and personal 

vehicles, government aircraft, and non-road equipment. Indoor Air Quality includes tracking Hazardous Material 

Usage and Air Conditions and Exposure Assessments for such parameters as lead, mold, dust, and asbestos.

2050 Vision for JSC: In 2050, JSC will have reduced the use of hazardous chemicals by at 

least 50% through aggressive product substitution. Through the process of renovating our 

buildings, asbestos will have been eliminated. The Combined Heat and Power (CHP) project 

at Building 24 continues to provide clean, low cost reliable electricity and byproduct steam at 

high level of efficiency, also reducing Greenhouse Gases (GHGs). 

The JSC Government vehicle fleet will be 100% electric.

The JSC Air Program 

The JSC Air Program endeavors to maintain site 

compliance with applicable Federal and State Air 

regulations as measured by zero Notices of 

Violation or Enforcement Actions. 

The JSC Air Program strives to assess new 

projects and programs that may have environmental air compliance requirements, and provide 

novel recommendations that reduce emissions 

and satisfy requirements at the lowest cost while 

meeting JSC schedules.

Sustainability Goal #1

Reduce direct GHG emissions (onsite or offsite) 

by 18.3% and indirect emissions (e.g., commuting, travel) by 12.6% by FY 2020, compared to 

FY 2008. (Related to ENERGY)

a. The Energy Manager is implementing several 

energy savings programs that result in reduced GHG emissions.

b. The Environmental Office has a JSC-specific 

FEMP GHG emission report to track the 

emission metric results.

Here’s what you can do: Consider teleworking 

to reduce your vehicle emissions from commuting to work.

Sustainability Goal #6

Sustainable Acquisition to ensure contracts use 

of products and services that are non-ozone 

depleting or are non-toxic or less toxic alternatives. (Related to MATERIALS)

What this resource is doing at JSC to meet that 

goal: JSC Procurement is including FAR sustainability clauses in all applicable construction and 

other relevant service contracts.

The Environmental Office works with several 

other organizations to track and manage the use 

of toxic and hazardous chemicals and materials, 

including ozone-depleting substances (ODSs). 

For example, JSC eliminated the last of the Class 

I ODS (most damaging) materials from use in 

2011, and is gradually phasing out use of the 

Class II ODS.

Here’s what you can do:

For your home or auto 

A/C, select a reliable 

service contractor. Make 

sure they use refrigerant 

recovery equipment during 

service. And request that 

service technicians locate 

and repair leaks instead of 

“topping off” leaking 

systems. 

And that’s not all. Contact the Air Resource 

POC (Kirk Hummel) to learn more and get 

involved.
7

Energy

Includes: 

Conservation and reducing use of Electricity and Natural Gas, 

as well as promotion of Renewable Energy.

2050 Vision for JSC: By 2050 JSC will exceed federal energy goals, with an efficient 

Combined Heat and Power (CHP) central plant serving energy efficient facilities for a 

conservation minded workforce. JSC will feature cutting edge renewable and alternate 

energy technologies in partnership with Engineering to put into practice “Energy 

Innovation in Space, Energy Conservation on Earth”. 

Sustainability Goal #2

Sustainable Buildings

What this resource is doing at JSC to meet that 

goal: The energy intensity (energy used per 

square foot) is being reduced by implementing 

energy conservation projects and eliminating 

waste identified in energy audits. Energy intensity 

is also sensitive to the efforts of everyone at JSC 

to reduce power usage. 

Here’s what you can do: Follow Energy Saving 

Tips like reducing energy using equipment in your 

work areas (especially refrigerators) and participating in Superflex. Report any energy wasting 

issues to your Facility Manager or directly to the 

Work Control Center.

Sustainability Goal #8

Energy Performance Contracting

What this resource is doing at JSC to meet that 

goal: Energy Saving Performance Contracting 

allows federal facilities to obtain energy savings 

immediately and, when the financed amount is 

paid off, gain the financial savings too. The 

Combined Heat and Power (CHP) central plant, a 

$142M revenue neutral project which will be paid 

off over 23 years, will provide electricity and steam 

to JSC much more efficiently than the local utility 

while providing a high degree of energy security.

Here’s what you can do: Enjoy the benefits 

of more efficient and reliable power, heating 

and cooling knowing that in the event of a severe 

storm or blackout much of JSC will still be 

running.

Sustainability Goal #3

Renewable Energy

What this resource is doing at JSC to meet that 

goal: Because of low conventional energy costs 

and relatively low potential, Renewable Energy 

projects at JSC have a poor payback. However, 

limited installations allow JSC to stay current with 

the technology. In addition, partnering with 

Engineering to find space based technologies with 

terrestrial applications has the potential to provide 

breakthroughs in renewable energy production.

Here’s what you can do: Keep alert for renewable energy opportunities, and discuss any ideas 

with the JSC Energy Manager for partnerships 

and technology demonstrators. And that’s not all. Contact Kevin McCue, 

JSC Energy Manager, for more information.
8

Land

Includes: 

Facilities • Utilities • Grounds • Wildlife (Flora & Fauna) 

Master Planning • Cultural Resources 

2050 Vision for JSC: Site completely Net Zero, all grounds covered with native species, 

new construction adapted to projected climate change.

Sustainability Goal #2

LEED Construction – Building 21 – Health and 

Human Performance Laboratory

1. Benefits - Consolidates multiple buildings 

into a single, highly functional and efficient 

117,878 sf facility resulting in a 10% reduction in footprint

2. LEED Silver design promotes sustainability 

and energy efficiency

3. New facility will be at an elevation of 21 ft 

greatly reducing risk of storm surge floods

Here’s what you can do: Look for sustainable practices around your home. Select energy 

and water efficient appliances when replacing, 

schedule an energy audit with your power 

provider, or research rainwater harvesting 

techniques. Find many more tips at http://www.

sustainablebabysteps.com

Sustainability Goal #10

In 2015, an estimated 200 breeding pairs of 

colonial nesting waterbirds nested and hatched 

their young on JSC. The heronry located around 

a now defunct cooling canal supports huge 

population of birds including anhingas, little 

blue herons, cattle egrets, black-crowned night 

herons, snowy egrets, and green herons. This 

breeding colony is monitored and protected as 

part of the JSC Wildlife Management Program.

Here’s what you can do: Experts estimate as 

many as a 100 million birds are killed each year 

when they collide with very clear or very reflective windows. Home owners can mitigate this 

impact to bird populations by drawing blinds or 

curtains across transparent windows and 

covering reflective windows from the outside to 

make them more visible to passing birds. Bird 

window collisions are very common in the 

Houston area during fall (September-October) 

and spring (April- May) migration.

And that’s not all. Contact Lynn Lefebvre or 

Matt Strausser to learn more and get involved. 
9

Water

Includes: 

Potable Water • Fire Suppression Water • Re-use Water 

Storm Sewer • Sanitary Sewer

2050 Vision for JSC: Water conservation will be a routine mindset. Daily water habits of 

personnel will include conservation of this essential valuable resource. Re-use water 

systems will be commonly seen across the site for turf irrigation and the supply for 

sanitary sewer fixtures. Rainwater collection ponds will be abundant and used for 

non-potable water needs on site.

Sustainability Goal # 4

Improve water use efficiency and management 

by reducing potable water consumption intensity 

(gal/gsf) by 36% in FY 2025 through reduction of 

2% annually from 2007 baseline.

What this resource is doing at JSC to meet that 

goal: Construction is nearing completion to split 

the potable and fire suppression water services. 

JSC’s water usage can be reduced as a result of 

less flushing of the water system, needed to 

maintain required disinfection residuals throughout the system.

Here’s what you can do: Be vigilant and 

initiate corrective water conservation actions for 

any wasteful practices of water use either during 

personal use or equipment which uses potable 

water for cooling at work. Install a system which 

recirculates cooling water or has other cooling 

means. 

Sustainability Goal # 4

Improve water use efficiency and management 

by reducing industrial, landscaping, and agricultural (ILA) water by 2% annually through FY 2025 

from the FY 2010 baseline. 

What this resource is doing at JSC to meet that 

goal: New sustainable buildings at JSC include 

rain water catchment basins to collect and reuse 

rain water. The water is used for irrigation of landscaping. Building 20 utilizes this feature. The 

Green Roof at building 12 absorbs rain water as 

if falls rather than allowing it to run off into the 

storm water system. Both of these use the 

collected rain water for irrigation and thus 

reduces the use of potable water and enhances 

the JSC campus. The new JSC clinic collects 

rain water in a catchment system to allow 

gradual percolation into the soil and controlled 

discharge. This reduces storm water discharge 

into local estuaries.

Here’s what you can do: Install rain barrels at 

your home to collect rainfall for reuse as irrigation 

in your own home’s landscaping. These rain 

barrels provide water for landscaping during 

drought periods and reduce the usage of already 

strained local water utilities. 

And that’s not all. Contact 

Doug Conover to learn 

more and get involved.
10

Materials

Includes: 

Purchasing • Use • Disposal 

2050 Vision: Recycling is a natural part of managing office and construction waste, and each 

facility has an easily accessible recycling center. Purchasing catalogs automatically offer 

“green” choices such as recycled or biobased content, lower energy use, and less toxic 

products. Sharing economies are common for items such as hazardous materials and office 

supplies; and employees utilize technology and electronic media to the maximum extent 

possible to reduce the need for single use or temporary products.

Sustainability Goal #1

95% of contracts have sustainable acquisition 

requirements 

•	 Conduct organizational audits on the contracts that are required to purchase the largest 

quantities of recycled and biobased content 

items but have problems meeting the goals. 

•	 Compile a list of compliant products to make

it easier for purchasers to find products that 

are both technically and sustainably compliant.

•	 Provide product demonstrations to provide

additional resources to purchasers to assist 

with compliant product selection.

•	 Create a Procurement and Environmental

working group to help both organizations 

identify barriers to compliance with SA 

requirements and improve compliance.

How you can help: If you purchase materials 

or specify material or process requirements, 

familiarize yourself with the sustainable acquisition requirements. Report compliant purchases 

to the Environmental Office.

Sustainability Goal #2

Divert 50% or greater each of Municipal and 

Construction waste from landfills

•	 Implement a wood recycling pilot project to

divert broken pallets and clean wood from the 

landfill.

•	 Increase our composting program by taking

shredded paper and increase the number of 

volunteers who contribute used coffee 

grounds and tea bags from their work places.

•	 Provide information and outreach about waste

diversion opportunities at work and at home 

for all employees.

How you can 

help: Recycle, and 

keep trash out of 

the recycling. Find 

alternative uses for 

things that you 

would normally 

throw away, both at 

work and at home. 

Significant links and resources:

Centerops.jsc.nasa.gov/je – center resources

Earth911.com – where to recycle anything

Sftool.gov – sustainable acquisition catalogue 

of products

And that’s not all. Contact Michelle FraserPage to learn more and get involved. 
11

People

Our JSC Sustainability initiatives have 

been maturing very quickly. You are to 

thank for that. We’re no longer in the 

ORGANIZING phase, just supporting a 

few projects here and there with only 

paid support personnel. Our center is 

swimming between BUILDING and 

INTEGRATING. People all across JSC 

have volunteered their time to promote 

sustainability both at work and home. 

This fluctuates with our overall mission 

to promote human spaceflight at JSC. 

Please help us continue to make 

significant differences sustaining our 

natural resources. Let’s ultimately get 

to a point where sustainability is 

something “We don’t even think about; 

we just do it” as our Center Operations 

Director, Mr. Joel Walker, suggests. 

How will you make a difference now 

and by 2050?

Awareness: JSCs Sustainability Operating Rhythm

This strategy is aimed at inspiring awareness and motivation change in the areas that are still low to moderate 

impact and cost to mitigate. It’s published every first quarter of the FY. Additional references that support this 

are the JSC Energy Dashboard, the JSC Monthly Sustainability Opportunities, and our JSC Annual Sustainability 

Report (published every 3rd quarter). 

This information is always available to you by Googling: NASA JSC Sustainability.

Or e-mail JSC-Sustainability@mail.nasa.gov with specific questions.
What do you think JSC will look like in 2050?

Get this document electronically by Googling “NASA JSC Sustainability”

What should we be doing? Do you have a sustainability success story you’d like to share (at home or at work)? 

Draw it, write it, and share it to JSC-Sustainability@mail.nasa.gov.

Desalination Plant 

and Bioregenerative 

Wastewater treatment

Employee Electric Car 

Charging and more no 

energy options

Net Zero Energy, 

Water, and Waste

Sustainability Exhibit at 

Rocket Park and Space 

Center Houston

No more 

fence line

Green Roofs 

all over JSC