This document summarizes a webinar on science and sustainability that took place on September 13, 2011. The webinar featured two guest experts, Prof. Dr. Paul Burger from the University of Basel and Dr. Christine Schmitt from the University of Freiburg. They discussed the definition of sustainability, the ecological, economic and social facets of sustainability, examples of biodiversity conservation and sustainable development projects in Ethiopia, Germany, Basel and Freiburg. The webinar concluded with a discussion of future sustainability projects and questions from the audience.

1. Webinar
‘Facets
of
Science’
September
13,
2011
Science
&
Sustainability
Moderator:
Dr.
Iris
Zink,
science
journalist
and
physicist
1

2. September
13,
2011
-­‐
Science
&
Sustainability
1
Our
guest
experts
today:
• Prof.
Dr.
Paul
Burger,
Department
of
Social
Science
and
Philosophy
at
the
University
of
Basel
• Dr.
ChrisBne
SchmiD,
Ins;tute
for
Landscape
Management,
University
of
Freiburg
2

3. September
13,
2011
-­‐
Science
&
Sustainability
1
2
Structure
• Introduc;on
• Discussion
• What
are
the
experiences
in
your
countries?
• Ques;ons
from
the
audience
• Group
forum:
Feedback
and
comments
• Session
“Science
&
Development”
on
4th
October,
6
pm
3

4. September
13,
2011
-­‐
Science
&
Sustainability
3
IntroducDon
• Where
does
the
term
“sustainability”
come
from
and
what
does
it
mean?
• What
are
the
facets
of
sustainability?
From
ecology
to
society
• Biodiversity
–
an
interdisciplinary
approach
• Is
the
university
of
the
future
„green“?
4

5. September
13,
2011
-­‐
Science
&
Sustainability
4
Discussion
• The
term
of
sustainability
„Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of
the present without compromising the ability of future generations
to meet their own needs.“
Our Common Future (1987), Report of the World Commission on
Environment and Development (Brundtland Report)
5

6. September
13,
2011
-­‐
Science
&
Sustainability
5
Discussion
• The
facets
of
sustainability
–
from
ecology
to
society
Sustainability
is
oUen
associated
mainly
with
ecological
aspects.
A
holis;c
view
though
should
comprise
the
economy
and
the
society
as
well.
6

7. September
13,
2011
-­‐
Science
&
Sustainability
6
7

8. September
13,
2011
-­‐
Science
&
Sustainability
7
Discussion
• Does
„sustainability“
automaDcally
means
biodiversity?
Example:
InternaDonal
climate
and
biodiversity
policy
8

9. Biodiversity and climate change
REDD+ negotiations:
reducing emissions from
deforestation and forest degradation
in developing countries
Issues for in-depth
consideration • mitigation and adaptation
• Protected areas • opportunities (synergies) and
• Biodiversity and climate change dangers (perverse incentives)
• …
Dr. Christine Schmitt, Institute for Landscape Management

10. September
13,
2011
-­‐
Science
&
Sustainability
8
Discussion
• Biosphere
Reserves
–
an
example
in
Ethiopia
10

11. Ethiopia - Facts
• Size: 1,13 million sq km
• approx. 70 million
inhabitants
• approx. 61 inhabitants / sq
km
• > 70 ethnic groups
• 85% of the population in the
agricultural sector
• Main export products:
Coffee, leather, oil seed,
cotton
Dr. Christine Schmitt, Institute for Landscape Management
http://www.reliefweb.int/

12. Dr. Christine Schmitt, Institute for Landscape Management

13. BIOSPHERE RESERVE
NOMINATION FORM
[February 2004]
Biosphere Reserves
1. Protection
contributes to protecting landscapes, ecosystems, species and
genetic diversity
2. Development
encourages economic and human development that is
socioculturally and ecologically sustainable.
3. Logistical support
supports demonstration projects, environmental education and
research regarding local, regional, national and international
questions of environmental protection and sustainable
development.
Dr. Christine Schmitt, Institute for Landscape Management

14. http://www.kafa-biosphere.com/
Dr. Christine Schmitt, Institute for Landscape Management

15. Dr. Christine Schmitt, Institute for Landscape Management

16. September
13,
2011
-­‐
Science
&
Sustainability
9
Discussion
• Ecological
SanitaDon
16

17. September
13,
2011
-­‐
Science
&
Sustainability
7
17

18. 18

19. September
13,
2011
-­‐
Science
&
Sustainability
10
Discussion
• PracDcal
applicaDons
Example:
The
“green
university“
(Basel
&
Freiburg)
19

20. September
13,
2011
-­‐
Science
&
Sustainability
11
Discussion
• Biodiversity
Example:
Biodiversity
conserva;on
in
the
Blackforest
(Germany)
20

21. Dr. Christine Schmitt, Institute for Landscape Management

22. Dr. Christine Schmitt, Institute for Landscape Management

23. September
13,
2011
-­‐
Science
&
Sustainability
12
Sustainablity
–
what
are
the
next
project,
what
is
the
future?
23

24. September
13,
2011
-­‐
Science
&
Sustainability
13
What
are
the
experiences
in
your
countries?
QuesDons
from
the
audience
24

25. September
13,
2011
-­‐
Science
&
Sustainability
14
Feedback
on
this
session
Comments
and
quesDons
in
the
group
forum
25