View source for Sustainability

From Gardenology.org - Plant Encyclopedia and Gardening Wiki

← Sustainability

You do not have permission to edit this page, for the following reasons:

• The action you have requested is limited to users in the group: Users.
• You must confirm your email address before editing pages. Please set and validate your email address through your user preferences.

---

You can view and copy the source of this page.

[[Image:Earth flag PD.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Earth Day]] flag includes a [[NASA]] [[The Blue Marble|photo]].]] '''Sustainability''' is a characteristic of a process or state that can be maintained at a certain level indefinitely. Sustainability focuses on providing the best outcomes for both the human and natural environments now, and into the indefinite future. In recent years an academic and public discourse has led to the use of the word sustainability in reference to how long human ecological systems can be expected to be usefully productive. The implied preference would be for systems to be productive indefinitely, or be 'sustainable." For instance, "[[sustainable agriculture]]" would require agricultural systems expected to last indefinitely, "[[sustainable development]]" would be development of economic systems that last indefinitely, and so on. A side discourse relates the term sustainability to longevity of natural ecosystems and reserves, but the greatest emphasis has been on human systems and anthropogenic problems, such as anthropogenic [[climate change]], or the obviously anthropogenic depletion of [[fossil fuel]] reserves. It is perhaps meaningful, and pragmatic, to speak of practices being "more sustainable" or "less sustainable." Thus energy saving compact florescent light bulbs can be considered more sustainable than incandescent ones, and so forth. Definitions of sustainability abound, and the popularity of the term has led to competing definitions, and much confusion. One of the most oft-cited definitions of sustainability is the one created by the [[Brundtland Commission]], led by the former Norwegian Prime Minister [[Gro Harlem Brundtland]]. The Commission defined [[sustainable development]] as development that "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."<ref>United Nations. 1987. [http://www.un.org/documents/ga/res/42/ares42-187.htm "Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development."] General Assembly Resolution 42/187, 11 December 1987. Retrieved: 2007-04-12</ref> Sustainability relates to the continuity of [[Economics|economic]], [[Society|social]], [[institution]]al and [[Natural environment|environmental]] aspects of human society, as well as the non-human environment.<ref>Bridge, C. [http://www.anuhd.org/publications/nfuh/Main_Ballroom/Dr_Catherine_Bridge.rtf. "Universal design impacts housing sustainability: Cost-benefit evidence."] The University of Sydney, Faculty of Health Sciences. Retrieved on: [[July 26]], [[2007]].</ref> Sustainability is one of the four Core Concepts behind the [[2007 Universal Forum of Cultures]]. Sustainability can be defined as: "Humanity’s investment in a system of living, projected to be viable on an ongoing basis that provides quality of life for all individuals of sentient species and conserves natural ecosystems.” ==Definitions, metrics and indices== {{main|Sustainability metric and indices}} Sustainability can be defined both qualitatively in words, as an ethical/ecological proposition such as the Bruntland definition above, and quantitatively in terms of system life expectancy and the trajectory of certain factors or terms in the system. Quantitative analysis in sustainability thinking typically uses [[system dynamics]] modeling as systems are often non-linear and so-called [[feedback loops]] are key factors. So, for instance, important human ecological sub-systems that could be analyzed or modeled in this way might include the [[nitrogen cycle]] in [[sustainable agriculture]], or the depletion of [[oil reserves]]. In order to distinguish quantitatively and qualitatively which human economic activities are destructive and which are benign or beneficial, various definitions/models of sustainability have been developed. The following list is not exhaustive but contains the major points of view: ===International Institute for Sustainable Development Sample Policy Framework=== In 1996 the [[International Institute for Sustainable Development]] developed a Sample Policy Framework which proposed that a sustainability index "would give decision-makers tools to rate policies and programs against each other" (1996, p.9). Ravi Jain (2005) <ref>Jain, Ravi; Sustainability: metrics, specific indicators and preference index, Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy (Journal), May 2005, pg. 71-72 </ref> argued that, "The ability to analyze different alternatives or to assess progress towards sustainability will then depend on establishing measurable entities or metrics used for sustainability." ===The Natural Step/System Conditions of Sustainability=== Following the Brundtland Commission's report, one of the first initiatives to bring scientific principles to the assessment of sustainability was by Swedish cancer scientist [[Karl-Henrik Robèrt]]. Robèrt coordinated a consensus process to define and operationalize sustainability. At the core of the process lies a consensus on what Robèrt came to call [[The Natural Step|the natural step framework]]. The framework is based on a definition of sustainability, described as [[The Natural Step#System conditions of sustainability|the system conditions of sustainability]] (as derived from [[System theory]]). In the natural step framework, a sustainable society is one which does not systematically increase concentrations of ''substances extracted from the earth's crust,'' or ''substances produced by society''; that ''does not degrade the [[Natural environment|environment]]'' and in which people have the ''capacity to meet their needs worldwide.'' <ref>TNS Canada [http://www.naturalstep.ca/system-conditions.html System Conditions]. Retrieved on: 20078-07-15.</ref> ===Life Cycle Assessment and Ecological Footprint Analysis=== [[Life Cycle Assessment]] is a "composite measure of sustainability." It analyses the environmental performance of products and services through all phases of their life cycle: extracting and processing raw materials; manufacturing, transportation and distribution; use, re-use, maintenance; recycling, and final disposal.<ref>]http://www.canadianarchitect.com/asf/perspectives_sustainibility/measures_of_sustainablity/measures_of_sustainablity_lca.htm Measures of sustainability]. Canadian Architect. Retrieved on: [[June 30]], [[2007]].</ref> [[Ecological footprint]] analysis is an estimate of the amount of land area a human population, given prevailing technology, would need if the current resource consumption and pollution by the population is matched by the sustainable (renewable) resource production and waste assimilation by such a land area. The algorithms of the ecological footprint model have, on the one hand, been used in combination with the [[emergy]] methodology (S. Zhao, Z. Li and W. Li 2005), and a [[Sustainability metric and indices|sustainability index]] has been derived from the latter. They have also been combined with an index of [[quality of life]] (Marks et al, 2006), and the outcome christened the "(Un)Happy Planet Index" (HPI)shows indices for 178 nations. One of the striking conclusions to emerge from ecological footprint analyses is that it would be necessary to have 4 or 5 back up planets engage in nothing but agriculture for all those alive today to live a Western lifestyle. ===Global Reporting Initiative=== In 1997 the [[Global Reporting Initiative]] (GRI) was started as a multi-stakeholder process and independent institution whose mission has been "to develop and disseminate globally applicable Sustainability Reporting Guidelines". The GRI uses [[ecological footprint]] analysis and became independent in 2002. It is an official collaborating centre of the [[United Nations Environment Programme]] (UNEP) and during the tenure of [[Kofi Annan]], it cooperated with the [[UN Secretary-General]]’s Global Compact. ===Energy, Emergy and Sustainability Index (SI)=== In 1997, [[systems ecology|systems ecologists]] M.T.Brown and S.Ulgiati published their formulation of a quantitative sustainability index (SI) as a ratio of the [[emergy]] (spelled with an "m", i.e. "[[embodied energy]]", not simply "energy") yield ratio (EYR) to the environmental loading ratio (ELR). Brown and Ulgiati also called the sustainability index the "Emergy Sustainability Index" (ESI), "an index that accounts for yield, renewability, and environmental load. It is the incremental emergy yield compared to the environmental load". <ref>Brown, M.T. and S. Ulgiati.1999. Emergy evaluation of natural capital and biosphere services. AMBIO. Vol.28 No.6, Sept. 1999.</ref> :::*<math> \textrm{Sustainability\ Index} = \frac{\textrm{Emergy\ Yield\ Ratio}}{\textrm{Environmental\ Loading\ Ratio}} = \frac{\textit{EYR}}{\textit{ELR}}</math> * '''NOTE:''' The numerator is called "e'''m'''ergy" and is spelled with an "'''m'''". It is an abbreviation of the term, "[[embodied energy]]". The numerator is NOT "energy yield ratio", which is a different concept. <ref>Ulgiati, S. and M.T. Brown. 1999. Emergy accounting of human-dominated, large scale ecosystems. In Jorgensen and Kay (eds.) Thermodynamics and Ecology. Elsevier.</ref> ===Environmental Sustainability Index=== In 2004, a joint initiative of the [[Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy]] (YCELP) and the [[Center for International Earth Science Information Network]] (CIESIN) of [[Columbia University]], in collaboration with the [[World Economic Forum]] and the [[Directorate-General Joint Research Centre (European Commission)]] also attempted to construct an [[Environmental Sustainability Index]] (ESI)<ref>[http://sedac.ciesin.columbia.edu/es/esi/index.html Environmental Sustainability Index] (2005) Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy Yale University, New Haven and Yale University Center for International Earth Science Information Network Columbia University</ref>. This was formally released in [[Davos]], [[Switzerland]], at the annual meeting of the [[World Economic Forum]] (WEF) on 28 January 2005. The report on this index made a comparison of the WEF ESI to other sustainability indicators such as the [[Ecological footprint]] Index. However there was no mention of the emergy sustainability index. Nevertheless writers like Leone (2005) and Yi et al. have also recently suggested that the emergy sustainability index has significant utility. In particular, Leone notes that while the GRI measures behavior, it fails to calculate supply constraints which the emergy methodology aims to calculate. ===Sustainability Dashboard=== The [http://www.iisd.org/ International Institute for Sustainable Development] has produced a "[http://www.iisd.org/cgsdi/dashboard.asp Dashboard of Sustainability]", "a free, non-commercial software package that illustrates the complex relationships among economic, social and environmental issues". This is based on [http://www.iisd.org/pdf/2005/measure_indicators_sd_way_forward.pdf Sustainable Development Indicators] Prepared for the United Nations Division for Sustainable Development (UN-DSD)DECEMBER 2005. ''See also:'' *[http://www.epa.gov/nheerl/publications/files/wvevaluationposted.pdf Environmental Accounting Using Emergy:Evaluation of the State of West Virginia], [[United States Environmental Protection Agency]] *[[Dow Jones]] Sustainability Index. *[http://www.sustainlane.com/us-city-rankings The 2006 US City Rankings(June, 2006) peer-reviewed study], by [http://www.sustainlane.com SustainLane.com], ranking the 50 most populated U.S. cities across 15 categories, utilizing over 2000 data points. *[http://www.regional.org.au/au/asa/2001/4/c/kemp.htm The Development of Ecological Performance Indicators for Sustainable Systems] D.R. Kemp1, D.L. Michalk2 & A.A. Charry1 1 University of Sydney, Faculty of Rural Management 2 NSW Agriculture, Orange Agricultural Institute 1,2 Orange NSW 2800 Australia * [http://www.rirdc.gov.au/pub/shortreps/sr20.html Australian Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation Developing Indicators for Sustainable Agriculture] ==Conceptual issues== === Values, purpose and the focus on outcomes === Values vary greatly in detail within and between cultures, as well as between academic disciplines (e.g., between economists and ecologists). <ref>[[Clem Tisdell|Tisdell, C.]] 1988. Sustainable development: Differing perspectives of ecologists and economists, and relevance to LDCs. ''World Development'' 16(3): 373-384.</ref> The introduction of social values to sustainability goals implies a much more complex and contentious debate, and those focused on ecological impacts tend to strongly resist non-ecological interpretations. Some see at the heart of the concept of sustainability a fundamental, immutable value set that is best stated as 'parallel care and respect for the ecosystem and for the people within'. From this value set emerges the goal of sustainability: to achieve human and ecosystem [[well-being]] together. Seen in this way, the concept of sustainability is much more than environmental protection in another guise. It is a positive concept that has as much to do with achieving well-being for people and ecosystems as it has to do with reducing ecological stress or environmental impacts. At its least, sustainability implies paying attention to [[comprehensive outcome]]s of events and actions insofar as they can be anticipated at present. This is known as [[full cost accounting]], or [[Environmental accounting]]. This kind of accounting assumes that all aspects of a system can be measured and audited ([[Environmental audits]]). Environmental accounting can be a limited biological interpretation as in [[ecological footprint]] analysis, or may include social factors as in the [[ICLEI]]—[[Triple Bottom Line]] standards for urban and community accounts. At most, sustainability is intended as a means of [[Social engineering (political science)|configuring]] [[civilization]] and human activity so that [[society]], its members and its economies are able to meet their needs and express their greatest potential in the present, while preserving [[biodiversity]] and natural [[ecosystem]]s, and planning and acting for the ability to maintain these ideals in a very long term - typically at least seven generations. None of these extended definitions, however, ever deny or downplay the importance of the ecological interpretation of sustainability as defined by the science of [[ecology]] itself. All advocates of sustainability accept that ecological, not social, factors, are the most measurable and universal indicators of sustainability. Sustainability outcomes can be investigated at every level of organization, from the local neighborhood to the entire [[Earth|planet]]. ===Common principles=== Some people now consider the term "sustainable development" as too closely linked with continued [[economic development|material development]], and prefer to use terms like "sustainability", "sustainable prosperity" and "sustainable genuine progress" as the umbrella terms. Despite differences, a number of common principles are embedded in most charters or action programmes to achieve sustainable development, sustainability or sustainable prosperity. These include (Hargroves & Smith 2005, see bibliography): * Dealing transparently and systemically with risk, uncertainty and [[irreversibility]]. * Ensuring appropriate valuation, appreciation and [[Restoration ecology|restoration]] of nature. * Integration of environmental, social, human and economic goals in policies and activities. * Equal opportunity and [[Participation (decision making)|community participation]]/[[Sustainable community]]. * [[Conservation biology|Conservation]] of [[biodiversity]] and [[Ecological health|ecological integrity]]. * Ensuring inter-generational equity. * Recognizing the global integration of localities. * A commitment to [[best practice]]. * No net loss of [[human capital]] or [[natural capital]]. * The principle of [[continuous improvement]]. * The need for good governance. ===Weak versus Strong Sustainability=== However, a distinction between different 'degrees' of sustainability should be made. The debate currently focuses on the sustainability between economy and the environment which can in other words be considered as between '[[natural capital]]' and 'manufactured/[[man-made capital]]'. This is also captured in the ''''weak' versus 'strong' sustainability''' discussions. Weak Sustainability is advocated by the [[Hartwick's Rule]], which states that so long as TOTAL [[capital]] stays constant, sustainable development can be achieved. As long as the diminishing natural capital stocks are being substituted by gains in the man-made stock, total capital will stay constant and the current level of consumption can continue. The proponents believe that economic growth is beneficial as increased levels of [[income]] lead to increased levels of environmental protectionism. This is also known as the 'substitutability paradigm'. Conversely, Strong Sustainability, as supported by [[Herman Daly]], believe that natural capital and man-made capital are only complementary at best. In order for Sustainable Development to be achieved, natural capital has to be kept constant independently from man-made capital. This is known as the 'non-substitutability paradigm'. ===Population growth and Consumption=== One of the critical issues in sustainability is that of human [[overpopulation]] combined with current lifestyle patterns. A number of studies have suggested that the current [[population of the Earth]], already over six billion, is too many people to support sustainably. at current material consumption levels, this challenge for sustainability is distributed unevenly. According to calculations of the ecological footprint, the ecological pressure of a US resident is 12 times that of a resident of India and 24 times that of a Somali resident.<ref>Global Footprint Network [http://www.footprintnetwork.org/gfn_sub.php?content=national_footprints "National Footprints"]. Download National Footprint Results in .xls format. Retrieved on: [[August 4]], [[2007]].</ref> With the world population continuing to grow, there is increasing pressure on arable land, water, energy, and biological resources to provide enough food while while supporting viable [[ecosystems]]. World Bank and United Nations studies, show that there are over 1 billion people who are malnourished. This is due to a combination of lack of food, low incomes, and poor food distribution. The world population is projected to grow from over 6 billion to as high as 10.6 billion within the next 50 years (UN Population Division, 2006). With expanding population, the food problem will worsen.<ref>Pimentel,D, X. Huang, A. Cordova, and M. Pimentel (1996). [http://dieoff.org/page57.htm "Impact of Population Growth on Food Supplies and Environment"]. Paper presented at [[AAAS]] Annual Meeting, Baltimore, February 1996. ''Population and Development Review''. Retrieved on [[August 4]], [[2007]].</ref> Critics of efforts to reduce population rather than consumption fear that efforts to reduce population growth may lead to [[human rights]] violations such as [[involuntary sterilization]] and the [[infanticide|abandoning of infants to die]]. Some human-rights watchers report that this is already taking place in [[China]], as a result of its one child per family policy. Albeit, it appears inevitable{{Fact|date=August 2007}} that human population numbers will be constrained and brought into some form of equilibrium by the [[Malthusian catastrophe|Malthusian limit]] and in accordance with the [[Lotka-Volterra equation]]. In his book [[collapse (book)|Collapse]], author [[Jared Diamond]] presents several societies where population growth mixed with unsustainable consumption levels have led to collapses in population numbers. ==Sustainability and business== The [[World Business Council for Sustainable Development]], founded in 1995, has formulated the business case for sustainable development and argues that "sustainable development is good for [[business]] and business is good for sustainable development". This view is also maintained by proponents of the concept of [[industrial ecology]]. The theory of industrial ecology declares that [[industry]] should be viewed as a series of interlocking man-made ecosystems interfacing with the natural [[biosphere|global ecosystem]]. According to some economists, it is possible for the concepts of sustainable development and competitiveness to merge if enacted wisely, so that there is not an inevitable trade-off<ref>Esty, D. C., Porter, M. E., Industrial Ecology and Competitiveness: Strategic Implications for the Firm, Journal of Industrial Ecology Winter 1998, Vol. 2, No. 1: 35-43.</ref>. This merger is being motivated by the following six facts (Hargroves & Smith 2005): #Throughout the economy there are widespread untapped potential resource productivity improvements to be made to be coupled with effective design. #There has been a significant shift in understanding over the last three decades of what creates lasting competitiveness of a firm. #There is now a critical mass of enabling technologies in eco-innovations that make integrated approaches to sustainable development economically viable. #Since many of the costs of what economists call ‘environmental externalities’ are passed on to governments, in the long-term sustainable development strategies can provide multiple benefits to the tax payer. #There is a growing understanding of the multiple benefits of valuing social and natural capital, for both moral and economic reasons, and including them in measures of national well-being. #There is mounting evidence to show that a transition to a sustainable economy, if done wisely, may not harm economic growth significantly, in fact it could even help it. Recent research by ex-Wuppertal Institute member Joachim Spangenberg, working with neo-classical economists, shows that the transition, if focused on improving resource productivity, will lead to higher economic growth than business as usual, while at the same time reducing pressures on the environment and enhancing [[employment]]. It is an unresolved question as to whether all of the attempts at definitions have anything to do with the compound constructs of sustainability investment advanced by [[network economics]] and systemic entrepreneurs. However, as late as fall 2006 the [[Stern Report]] estimated that 1% of GDP will now need to be invested to save 20% of GDP, because of failures to date by most [[global market]] sectors to integrate sustainability in the metrics they have governed with. ==Sustainable Livelihoods Approach== {{see also | Inclusive business | Worldchanging}} Another application of sustainability has been in the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach, developed on conceptual work by [[Amartya Sen]], and the UK's [[Institute for Development Studies]] (IDS). This was championed by the UK's [[Department for International Development]](DFID), [[UNDP]], [[Food and Agriculture Organization]] (FAO) as well as [[Non-governmental organization|NGOs]] such as [[Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere|CARE]], [[OXFAM]] and Khanya. Key concepts include the Sustainable Livelihoods (SL) Framework, a holistic way of understanding livelihoods, the SL principles, as well as six governance issues developed by Khanya. == Types of sustainability == The [[Food and Agriculture Organisation]] (FAO) has identified considerations for technical cooperation that affect three types of sustainability: * '''Institutional sustainability'''. Can a strengthened institutional structure continue to deliver the results of technical cooperation to end users? The results may not be sustainable if, for example, the planning authority that depends on the technical cooperation loses access to top management, or is not provided with adequate resources after the technical cooperation ends. Institutional sustainability can also be linked to the concept of social sustainability, which asks how the interventions can be sustained by social structures and institutions; * '''Economic and financial sustainability'''. Can the results of technical cooperation continue to yield an economic benefit after the technical cooperation is withdrawn? For example, the benefits from the introduction of new crops may not be sustained if the constraints to marketing the crops are not resolved. Similarly, economic, as distinct from financial, sustainability may be at risk if the end users continue to depend on heavily [[subsidized]] activities and inputs. * '''Ecological sustainability'''. Are the benefits to be generated by the technical cooperation likely to lead to a deterioration in the physical environment, thus indirectly contributing to a fall in production, or well-being of the groups targeted and their society? Some ecologists have emphasised a fourth type of sustainability. * '''Energetic sustainability'''. This type of sustainability is often concerned with the production of energy and mineral resources. Some researchers have pointed to trends which document the limits of production. See [[Hubbert peak]] for example. The United Nations has declared a Decade of Education for Sustainable Development starting in January of 2005. A non-partisan multi-sector response to the decade has formed within the U.S. via the U.S. Partnership for the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development.<ref>[http://www.uspartnership.org US Partnership for the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development]. Retrieved on: 2007-07-16</ref> Active sectors teams have formed for youth, higher education, business, religion, the arts, and more. Organizations and individuals can join in sharing resources and success stories, and creating a sustainable future. ===Development sustainability=== Sustainability is relevant to development projects. A definition of development sustainability is "the continuation of benefits after major assistance from the donor has been completed" (Australian Agency for International Development 2000). Ensuring that development projects are sustainable can reduce the likelihood of them collapsing after they have just finished; it also reduces the financial cost of development projects and the subsequent social problems, such as dependence of the stakeholders on external donors and their resources. All development assistance, apart from temporary emergency and humanitarian relief efforts, should be designed and implemented with the aim of achieving sustainable benefits. There are ten key factors that influence development sustainability. {{Fact|date=February 2007}} #Participation and ownership. Get the stakeholders (men and women) to genuinely participate in design and implementation. Build on their initiatives and demands. Get them to monitor the project and periodically evaluate it for results. #Capacity building and training. Training stakeholders to take over should begin from the start of any project and continue throughout. The right approach should both motivate and transfer skills to people. #Government policies. Development projects should be aligned with local government policies. #Financial. In some countries and sectors, financial sustainability is difficult in the medium term. Training in local fundraising is a possibility, as is identifying links with the private sector, charging for use, and encouraging policy reforms. #Management and organization. Activities that integrate with or add to local structures may have better prospects for sustainability than those which establish new or parallel structures. #Social, gender and culture. The introduction of new ideas, technologies and skills requires an understanding of local decision-making systems, gender divisions and cultural preferences. #Technology. All outside equipment must be selected with careful consideration given to the local finance available for maintenance and replacement. Cultural acceptability and the local capacity to maintain equipment and buy spare parts are vital. #Environment. Poor rural communities that depend on natural resources should be involved in identifying and managing environmental risks. Urban communities should identify and manage waste disposal and pollution risks. #External political and economic factors. In a weak economy, projects should not be too complicated, ambitious or expensive. #Realistic duration. A short project may be inadequate for solving entrenched problems in a sustainable way, particularly when behavioural and institutional changes are intended. A long project, may on the other hand, promote dependence. The definition of sustainability as "the continuation of benefits after major assistance from the donor has been completed" (Australian Agency for International Development 2000) is echoed by other definitions (World Bank, USAID). The concept has however evolved as it has become of interest to non grant-making institutions. Sustainability in development refers to ''processes'' and ''relative'' increases in local capacity and performance while foreign assistance decreases or shifts (not necessarily disappears). For a presentation of this evolution in the health sector of development, see publications on: http://www.childsurvival.com/documents/CSTS/sustainability.cfm ==Barriers to a sustainability culture== Acknowledging the barriers to sustainability, numerous publications from the [[Tellus Institute]] examine the factors necessary to achieve an environmentally sustainable future, something Tellus terms a ‘Great Transition’ (see Raskin et al, 2002; Rajan, 2006; Kreigman, 2006). Using [[scenario analysis]], Tellus shows that a new sustainability paradigm is possible if progressive elements of [[civil society]], government, business, and an engaged citizenry work together to create an alternative vision of [[globalization]] centered on the quality of life, human solidarity, environmental resilience, and shared information. ===The phenomenon of change resistance=== The above concepts focus primarily on the proper practices required to live sustainably. However, there is also the need to consider why there is such strong resistance to adopting sustainable practices. Unruh (2000, 2002) has argued that numerous barriers to sustainability arise because today's technological systems and governing institutions were designed and built for permanence and reliability, not change. In the case of fossil fuel-based systems this is termed "carbon lock-in" and inhibits many change efforts. [http://www.thwink.org/sustain/general/ChangeResistance.htm Thwink.org] argues that if enough members of the [[environmental movement]] adopted a problem solving process that fit the problem, the movement would make the astonishing discovery that the crux of the problem is not what it thought it was. It is not the proper practices or ''technical side'' of the problem after all. Any number of these practices would be adequate. Instead the real issue is why is it so difficult to persuade social agents (such as people, corporations, and nations) to adopt the proper practices needed to live sustainably? Thus the heart of the matter is the change resistance or ''social side'' of the problem. ===Barriers to ecological sustainability=== Despite the now overwhelming evidence that the human species is set on a population adjustment course of immense proportions, and despite long-standing and widespread public awareness of the seriousness of the consequence (e.g., Nelson, 1986; Yankelovitch, et al., 1983; [[Collapse (book)|Diamond, Jared (2005)]] ), it seems impossible to alter the course of our destiny. This is generally attributed to “change resistance” (see, e.g., [http://www.thwink.org/sustain/general/ChangeResistance.htm Thwink.org]), viewed as involving change in individual values, whether at personal, corporate, or collective levels (see e.g., [[Stafford Beer]]). Unfortunately, it has been frequently demonstrated, e.g., in the studies cited, that people’s values are, in general, in the right place. The problem is to enact them. This has led to the preparation of numerous “wish lists”—such as that compiled by Shah, H., & Marks, N. (2004)—drawing together many recommendations for government action. Government and individual failure to act on the available information is widely attributed to personal [[greed]] (deemed to be inherent in [[human nature]]) especially on the part of international capitalists. But even [[Karl Marx]] did not suggest this, instead highlighting sociological processes which have been in operation for thousands of years. If fault is to be found with Marx's work it can be argued that it lies elsewhere. Because he believed that the collapse of [[capitalism]] was imminent, he never discussed how to run society in an innovative way in the long term public interest. Two things seem to follow from this brief discussion. #It is vital to follow up the study of the [[sociocybernetics|sociocybernetic]], or [[systems]] (see also [[systems theory]]), processes which, it seems, primarily control what happens in society. #We should use the social-science-based insights already available to evolve forms of [[Public management]] that will act on information in an innovative way in the long term public interest. ==Precautionary principle== The [[precautionary principle]] states that if there is a risk that an action could cause harm, and there is a lack of scientific consensus on the matter, the burden of proof is on those who would support taking the action. {{Quotation|When competing "experts" recommend diametrically opposing paths of action regarding resources, carrying capacity, sustainability, and the future, we serve the cause of sustainability by choosing the conservative path, which is defined as the path that would leave society in the less precarious position if the chosen path turns out to be the wrong path.<ref>Bartlett, A. (1997). [http://dieoff.org/page146.htm "Reflections on Sustainability, Population Growth and the Environment -- Revisited"]. ''Renewable Resources Journal, 15, 4, Winter 1997-98. Retrieved on: [[August 4]], [[2007]].</ref>}} ==See also== <!-- Keep alphabetical --> *[[Agenda 21]] *[[Appropriate Technology]] *[[Bioregionalism]] *[[Bright green environmentalism]] *[[Business Alliance for Local Living Economies]] *[[Cradle to Cradle]] *[[Earth Charter]] *[[Ecological economics]] *[[Future studies]] *[[Green conventions, meetings & events]] *[[Green design]] *[[Hannover Principles]] *[[Industrial Ecology]] <!-- *[[LOHAS]] according to discussion page for this article, it's spam --> *[[Network of European Technocrats]] *[[Overpopulation]] *[[Peak Oil]] *[[Permaculture]] *[[Second law of thermodynamics]] *[[Simple living]] *[[Steady state (macroeconomics)]] *[[Soft energy path]] *[[Triple bottom line]] <!-- please, not another blog *[[Worldchanging]]--> ===Other sustainability articles=== *[[Sustainable architecture]] *[[Sustainable agriculture]] *[[Sustainable business]] *[[Sustainable city]] *[[Sustainable community]] *[[Sustainable design]] *[[Sustainable landscape architecture]] *[[Sustainable fisheries]] *[[Sustainable forest management]] *[[Sustainable forestry]] *[[Sustainable living]] *[[Sustainability metric and indices]] *[[Sustainable Procurement]] *[[Sustainable tourism]] *[[Sustainable transportation]] *[[Sustainable urban drainage systems]] ==Notes and References== ===Footnotes=== {{reflist}} ===References=== *{{note|Leone2005}}{{cite journal | author= Leone, M. | title= The Quest for an Environmental Metric: Gazing at weather systems, a ground-breaking scientist spawned an ecological accounting standard that Wall Street might one day embrace | journal= CFO Publishing | year=2005 | volume= | issue= | pages= | url = http://www.cfo.com/printable/article.cfm/5300667?f=options }} *{{note|Maine2003}}{{cite journal | author= Maine, T. | title= Towards a Metric of Sustainability | journal= CSIRO Publishing | year=2003 | volume= | issue= | pages= | url=http://www.isosconference.org.au/papers/Maine.pdf }} *{{note|Brown1997}}{{cite journal | author= Brown, M.T. and Ulgiati, S. | title= Emergy-based indices and ratios to evaluate sustainability: monitoring economies and technology toward environmentally sound innovation | journal= Ecological Engineering | year=1997 | volume= 9 | issue= | pages= 51-69 | url = http://www.urbanecology.washington.edu/student_info/classes/spring2003/MBrown-Emergy-sustainability1997.pdf }} *{{note|Brown1999}}{{cite journal | author= Brown, M.T. and Ulgiati, S. | title= Emergy Evaluation of the Biosphere and Natural Capital | journal= Ambio | year=1999 | volume= 28 | issue= 6 | pages= | url=http://www.cfr.washington.edu/research.urbaneco/student_info/classes/spring2003/MBrown-emergy-biosphere-natural-capital.pdf }} *{{note|Zhao2005}}{{cite journal | author= Zhao, S.; Li, Z.; Li, W. | title= A modified method of ecological footprint calculation and its application | journal= Ecological Modelling | year=2005 | volume= 185 | issue= 1 | pages= 65-75 | url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6VBS-4F6F697-1&_coverDate=06%2F10%2F2005&_alid=366544285&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_qd=1&_cdi=5934&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=58ece879d00f4d841e14e49e9911200c | id = {{doi|10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2004.11.016}} }} *{{note|Ukidwe2004}}{{cite journal | author= Yi, Heui-seok; Hau, Jorge L. ; Ukidwe, Nandan U. and Bakshi, Bhavik R. | title= Hierarchical Thermodynamic Metrics for Evaluating the Environmental Sustainability of Industrial Processes | journal= Environmental Progress | year=2004 | volume= 23 | issue= 4 | pages= 65-75 | url = http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/109856013/ABSTRACT?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0 <!-- http://www.che.eng.ohio-state.edu/~ukidwe/ukidwe_envprog.pdf --> | id = {{doi|10.1002/ep.10049}} }} *{{note|Jain2005}}{{cite journal | author= Jain, R. | title= Sustainability: metrics, specific indicators and preference index | journal= Clean Techn Environ Policy | year=2005 | volume= 7 | issue= | pages= 71-72 | url = http://www.springerlink.com/media/h4d4779uuq0yynfhktb6/contributions/t/2/2/5/t225524055312t88.pdf }} ==Bibliography== *Allen, P. (Ed) 1993. ''Food for the Future: Conditions and Contradictions of Sustainability''. ISBN 0-471-58082-1 Paperback. 344 pages. *AtKisson, A. 1999. ''Believing Cassandra, An Optimist looks at a Pessimist’s World'', Chelsea Green Publishing., White River Junction, VT *Bartlett, A. 1998. [http://www.hubbertpeak.com/bartlett/reflections.htm "Reflections on Sustainability, Population Growth, and the Environment—Revisited"] revised version (January 1998) of paper first published in Population & Environment, Vol. 16, No. 1, September 1994, pp. 5-35. *Benyus, J. 1997. ''Biomimicry: Innovations Inspired by Nature'', William Morrow, New York *Brown, M.T. and Ulgiati, S 1999. ''Emergy Evaluation of Natural Capital and Biosphere Services'', AMBIO, Vol.28, No.6, Sept. 1999. *[[Gro Harlem Brundtland|Brundtland, G.H.]] (ed.), (1987), '' Our common future: The World Commission on Environment and Development'', Oxford, Oxford University Press. *Costanza, Robert, Lisa J. Graumlich, and Will Steffen (eds.), (2007), ''Sustainability or Collapse? An Integrated History and Future of People on Earth'', The MIT Press. ISBN 978-0-262-03366-4. *Dalal-Clayton, B. (1993) ''[http://www.iied.org/pubs/pdf/full/7766IIED.pdf Modified Eia And Indicators Of Sustainability: First Steps Towards Sustainability Analysis]'', Environmental Planning Issues No.1, International Institute For Environment And Development, Environmental Planning Group. *Daly H. 1996. ''Beyond Growth: The Economics of Sustainable Development.'' Boston: Beacon Press. ISBN 0-8070-4709-0 *Daly H. and J. Cobb. 1989. ''For the Common Good: Redirecting the Economy Toward Community, the Environment, and a Sustainable Future.'' Boston: Beacon Press. ISBN 0-8070-4705-8 [http://www.scottlondon.com/reviews/daly.html Review] *Dean, J. W. (2006). ''Conservatives Without Conscience''. New York: Viking Penguin. *Ekins, P. (Ed.). (1986). ''The Living Economy''. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul. *Hargroves, K. and M. Smith (Eds.) 2005. ''The Natural Advantage of Nations: Business Opportunities, Innovation and Governance in the 21st Century.'' ISBN 1-84407-121-9, 525 pages. Earthscan/James&James. (See the books online companion at [http://www.thenaturaladvantage.info www.thenaturaladvantage.info]) *[[Paul Hawken|Hawken, Paul]], [[Amory Lovins|Lovins, Amory]] and Lovins, L. H. 1999. ''Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution'', Earthscan, London (Downloadable from [[www.natcap.org]]) *International Institute for Sustainable Development (1996) ''Global Tomorrow Coalition Sustainable Development Tool Kit: A Sample Policy Framework'', [http://www.iisd.org/educate/learn/gtc4a.doc Chapter 4]. *[[Mark Jarzombek|Jarzombek, Mark]]. "Sustainability—Architecture: between Fuzzy Systems and Wicked Problems," ''Blueprints'' 21/1 (Winter 2003), pp. 6-9; and LOG 8 (Summer 206) 7-13. *Kriegman, O. 2006. [http://www.gtinitiative.org/documents/PDFFINALS/15Movements.pdf ''Dawn of the Cosmopolitan: The Hope of a Global Citizens Movement'']. Boston: Tellus Institute. *Lane, R. E. (1991). The Market Experience. New York: Cambridge University Press. *Marks, N., Simms, A., Thompson, S., and Abdallah, S. (2006).The (Un)happy Planet Index. London: New Economics Foundation. Downloadable from www.neweconomics.org *McDonough, W. & Braungart, M. (2002). Cradle to Cradle. North Point Press *Nelson, E. H. (1986). ''New Values and Attitudes Throughout Europe''. Epsom, England: Taylor-Nelson. *Rajan, C. 2006. [http://www.gtinitiative.org/documents/PDFFINALS/3Politics.pdf ''Global Politics and Institutions'']. Boston: Tellus Institute. *Raskin, P., Banuri, T., Gallopin, G., Gutman, P., Hammond, A., Kates, R., and Swart, R. 2002. [http://www.gtinitiative.org/documents/Great_Transitions.pdf ''Great Transition: The Promise and Lure of the Times Ahead'']. Boston: Tellus Institute. *Raven, J. (1995). The New Wealth of Nations: A New Enquiry into the Nature and Origins of the Wealth of Nations and the Societal Learning Arrangements Needed for a Sustainable Society. Unionville, New York: Royal Fireworks Press; Sudbury, Suffolk: Bloomfield Books. *Richardson, B.J. and Wood, S. (eds) (2006). ''Environmental Law for Sustainability: A Reader'', Hart Publishing, Oxford. *Robèrt, Karl-Henrik. (2002). ''The Natural Step Story: Seeding a Quiet Revolution''. Gabriola Island, BC: New Society Publishers. *Shah, H., & Marks, N. (2004). ''A Well-being Manifesto for a Flourishing Society''. London: New Economics Foundation. *Sinclair, Fiona, D. (2007). [http://www.unm.edu/~cleugh/whatissustainability.html "What is Sustainability"] *Steffen, Alex (2006). Worldchanging: A User's Guide to the 21st Century. Abrams, New York. *Trainer, F. E. (Ed.). (1990). A rejection of the Bruntland Report. ''International Foundation for the Development of Alternatives Dossier, 77'', May-June, 71-85. *Unruh, G. (2000). ''Understanding Carbon Lock-in'', Energy Policy, Volume 28, Issue 12, October, 817–830. *Unruh, G. (2002). ''Escaping Carbon Lock-in'', Energy Policy, Volume 30, Issue 4, March, 317-325. *Yankelovitch, D., Zetterberg, H., Strumpel, B., Shanks, M., et al. (1983). Work and Human Values. New York: Aspen Institute for Humanistic Studies. *Young, L. & J. Hamshire 2000. ''Promoting Practical Sustainability''. Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), Canberra Australia, ISBN 0-642-45058-7. Free copies available at AusAID Public Affairs, GPO Box 887, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia. == External links == {{external links}} * [[w:Sustainability]] * [http://www.eoearth.org/article/Sustainability Encyclopedia of Earth: Sustainability] * [http://www.sustaincom.org/ (ISC) The Institute for Sustainable Communication]—Dedicated to raising awareness and capacity for the sustainable use of print and other communication media. *[http://www.internationalbusinessreport.com/main/report.php?page=137&lang=en&id=122357&country_id=0 Grant Thornton International Business Report Energy & Environment focus] * [http://www.worldchanging.com/ Worldchanging]—the (award-winning) largest sustainability blog in the world. * [http://www.makemesustainable.com/ MakeMeSustainable]—environmental impact assessment tool and eco-social network. * [http://www.choosinggreen.com/ Choosing Green]—video portal featuring content on sustainable building and architecture. * [http://www.insidegreenbusiness.com/ Inside Green Business]—A leading trade publication providing news and analysis on sustainability and the greening of industry. * [http://sca21.wikicities.com Sustainable Community Action Wiki]—for anyone interested in action toward local sustainability, but especially ordinary people and community groups. Seeks to link up community and personal action for sustainability worldwide. * [http://www.sustainlane.com/us-city-rankings/ SustainLane US City Rankings] A flyover tour and comparative sustainability ranking of the 50 largest US cities. * [http://sustainlane.us SustainLane Government] Urban sustainability "best practices" database (public) and peer network (private; government practitioners). * [[Appropedia:|Appropedia]], an active wiki on sustainability, appropriate technology and international development. * [http://www.interrupcion.net interrupcion*]—A community of organizations and individuals working together to promote sustainability, social responsibility. * [http://www.decisiontheater.org Decision Theater]—Helping policy makers to address sustainability issues through visualization, simulation and collaboration. * [http://www.fsdinternational.org/ Foundation for Sustainable Development]—Sustainable Solutions for the Developing World. * [http://www.SustainUS.org/ SustainUS] The U.S. Youth Network for Sustainable Development * [http://www.greenprogress.com/green_building.php Green Progress]—Green building and sustainable development news. * [http://www.bioregional.com/programme_projects/opl_prog/opl_programme.htm One Planet Living] * [http://www.ulb.ac.be/ceese/meta/sustvl.html WWW—Virtual Library—sustainable development]—links. * [http://www.insnet.org/ iNSnet]—Portal site for sustainable development. * [http://www.sustainability.ca/ Sustainability Now]—Many references on Sustainability—from an engineering perspective. * [http://www.shdi.org Self Help Development International]SHDI is an Irish agency engaged in promoting long term sustainable development projects in Africa. * [http://www.slf.org.au/ Sustainable Living Foundation] * [http://www.Sustainability-Reports.com Sustainability reports portal]—for downloading or ordering Sustainability reports * [http://americanpublicmedia.publicradio.org/sustainability/ Sustainability news coverage]—from American Public Media. * [http://chronicle.com/indepth/sustainable/ A series of articles] on college sustainability programs in [[The Chronicle of Higher Education]] * [http://www.marioninstitute.org Marion Institute] Dedicated to promoting innovative, practical and replicable solutions to a wide range of environmental and social-justice challenges at the root-cause level. * [http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.05/green.html "The Next Green Revolution"] article on sustainability in Wired Magazine. * [http://www.gsg.org Global Scenario Group]—convened in 1995 to examine the scientific requirements for a transition to a sustainable planetary society * [http://www3.telus.net/awareness Sustainability Comix] Focusing on political, economic and cultural factors. * [http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/GEM/ambassador/What_is_sustainability.htm What is Sustainability by Brian Kermath] * [http://climatechange.110mb.com/ Living on a finite earth and climate change] Fact sheets on more sustainable living and reducing greenhouse gases. * [http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/freeradicals/ Sustainability blog from the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney] * [http://www.sustainabledesignforum.com/ Sustainable Design Forum] * [http://www.aquaponics.com.au/ Sustainable Farming Method] * [http://ejournal.nbii.org '''Sustainability: Science, Practice, & Policy'''—ejournal.nbii.org]: a peer-reviewed, open access journal that provides a platform for the dissemination of new practices and for dialogue emerging out of the field of sustainability. * [http://www.epea.com Cradle to Cradle Design - EPEA International] ===Research and policy programs=== * [http://provost.umich.edu/gesi/ Graham Environmental Sustainability Institutue]—Multidisciplinary, sustainable research and education at the University of Michigan * [http://environment.yale.edu/index.html Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies] Sustainability management, research across many issue areas and regions. * [http://www.tnep.net/ The Natural Edge Project] Partnership for Research on Innovation for Sustainable Prosperity * [http://www.fona.de/eng/index.php Research for Sustainability (fona)]—Funding, research and innovation for sustainable development * [http://www.dexigner.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=8092 Sustainable Innovation 2007] Conference Announcement and Call for Papers * [http://www.tellus.org/ Tellus Institute] Environmental research & policy organization. * [http://www.worldwatch.org/ Worldwatch Institute] Global sustainability & policy organization. ===Training and education programs=== {{Wikiversity}} * [http://www.catunesco.upc.edu/ UNESCO Chair of Sustainability. Technical University of Catalonia (Spain)] * [http://sipa.columbia.edu/academics/degree_programs/phd/index.html PhD in Sustainable Development at Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs] * [http://www.bgiedu.org/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/ Bainbridge Graduate Institute] - MBA in sustainable business that combines distance learning with monthly, intensive, face-to-face classroom sessions. Faculty made up of distinguished business-school professors and business innovators from around U.S. and Canada with a passion for sustainability. * [http://www.cudenver.edu/Academics/Colleges/Business/Pages/default.aspx The Business School, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center]—MBA with an Emphasis on Sustainability or a Master of Science in Management with an Emphasis in Managing for Sustainability, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, Denver Colorado * [http://www.prescott.edu/academics/phd/index.html]—PhD Progam in Sustainability Education, Limited Residency, Prescott Arizona * [http://www.bth.se/msls Blekinge Institute of Technology]—Master’s programme for Strategic Leadership Towards Sustainability in Karlskrona, Sweden * [http://schoolofsustainability.asu.edu/ School of Sustainability at Arizona State University]—Undergraduate, Graduate and Certificates in Sustainability at Arizona State University * [[Presidio School of Management]] offers an accredited MBA in Sustainable Management, integrating sustainability principles into every business course. * [http://provost.umich.edu/gesi/ Graham Environmental Sustainability Institutue]—Multidisciplinary sustainable research and education at the University of Michigan * [http://www.erb.umich.edu/ Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise]—Sustainability Education and Research Institute at the University of Michigan * [http://www.iisd.org/ International Institute for Sustainable Development (Canadian)] {{Energy related development}} [[Category:Sustainability|*Sustainability]] [[Category:Architecture]]

Return to Sustainability.