Analysis Frameworks for Sustainability: Linking Energy and the Environment Rudolf B. Husar Director, Center for Air Pollution and Trends Analysis ( CAPITA ) Professor, Department of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering Friday, November 2, 2007, 11:00am, Lopata 101, Washington University

Rudolf B. Husar

Director, Center for Air Pollution and Trends Analysis ( CAPITA ) Professor, Department of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering

Friday, November 2, 2007, 11:00am,

Lopata 101, Washington University

Sustainable Development (SD) A process of reconciling society’s developmental needs with the environmental limits over the long term. But, What should be developed , what should be sustained? SD as an uncertain and adaptive process, “in which society's discovery of where it wants to go is intertwined with how it might try to get there”. During the SD ‘ journey ’ toward sustainability, the pathways have to be ‘ navigated ’ adaptively . National Academy, 1999

A process of reconciling society’s developmental needs with the environmental limits over the long term. But, What should be developed , what should be sustained?

SD as an uncertain and adaptive process, “in which society's discovery of where it wants to go is intertwined with how it might try to get there”.

During the SD ‘ journey ’ toward sustainability, the pathways have to be ‘ navigated ’ adaptively

.

Life and non-life on Earth form a combined system (Gaia Theory) Carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium are in constant circulation between the earth’s major environmental compartments Earth’s compartments remain in balance as long as the rate of flow of matter and energy in and out of the compartments is unchanged. Changes in the environmental compartments will occur if the circulation (in and out flow) of the substances is perturbed. Atmospheric CO 2 has been increasing because the rate of input is larger than the rate of output from the atmosphere.

Major Biogeochemical Processes Visualized by Aerosols Dust storms Volcanoes Anthropogenic pollution Fires

Analysis Frameworks Sensory-Motor Feedback Loop (System Science) Biogeochemical Cycling Loop (Materials Balance) Causality Loop (Combined Social-Physical)

Sensory-Motor Feedback Loop (System Science)

Biogeochemical Cycling Loop (Materials Balance)

Causality Loop (Combined Social-Physical)