Introduction to sustainability

TREN 1F90TREN 1F90
Introduction toIntroduction to
SustainabilitySustainability

http://www.brocku.ca/tren
/courses/tren3p18
These notes available via theThese notes available via the
online course outline at:online course outline at:

TREN 1F90
Introduction to Sustainability
Definitions
– environment
– policy
– scale
– jurisdiction
Defining Sustainable Development
About Interdisciplinarity

Definitions, toolsDefinitions, tools
and frameworksand frameworks

en·vi·ron·menten·vi·ron·ment
in-'vI-r&(n)-m&nt, -'vI(-&)r(n)-
[n] 1 : the circumstances, objects, or[n] 1 : the circumstances, objects, or
conditions by which one is surroundedconditions by which one is surrounded
2 a : the complex of physical, chemical,2 a : the complex of physical, chemical,
and biotic factors (as climate, soil, andand biotic factors (as climate, soil, and
living things) that act upon an organism orliving things) that act upon an organism or
an ecological community and ultimatelyan ecological community and ultimately
determine its form and survival b : thedetermine its form and survival b : the
aggregate of social and culturalaggregate of social and cultural
conditions that influence the life of anconditions that influence the life of an
individual or community.individual or community.
- Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, 2004

environmentenvironment
[n][n] the totality ofthe totality of
surrounding conditions.surrounding conditions.

environmentalenvironmental
effectseffects
……are felt, and modified, in 3 mainare felt, and modified, in 3 main
ways - through the flows of:ways - through the flows of:
MATERIALSMATERIALS
ENERGYENERGY
INFORMATIONINFORMATION
->-> fundamental ‘spheres offundamental ‘spheres of
influence’ for sustainabilityinfluence’ for sustainability

policypolicy
……a course or general plan ofa course or general plan of
action to be adopted by aaction to be adopted by a
government, party, person, etc.government, party, person, etc.
- Concise Oxford Dictionary

policypolicy
……a selected, planned line ofa selected, planned line of
conduct in the light of whichconduct in the light of which
individual decisions are madeindividual decisions are made
and coordination achievedand coordination achieved
- Webster’s Encyclopedic Dictionary

ENVI conceptual toolsENVI conceptual tools

scalescale
-- an ordered series ofan ordered series of
graduated quantities, values,graduated quantities, values,
degrees, etc.degrees, etc.
-- relative magnituderelative magnitude

scalescale
may be:may be:
-- physical / geographicalphysical / geographical
– ranking based upon size, dimension,ranking based upon size, dimension,
geographical subunit, etc.geographical subunit, etc.
-- ecologicalecological
– individual, deme, community, populationindividual, deme, community, population
-- jurisdictionaljurisdictional
– local, municipal, regional, federal, globallocal, municipal, regional, federal, global

scalescale
earthearth
continentcontinent
countrycountry
provinceprovince
regionregion
municipalitymunicipality
neighbourhoodneighbourhood
householdhousehold
individualindividual
United NationsUnited Nations
..
..
governmentsgovernments
..
..
ngos / community groupsngos / community groups
..
individualsindividuals
GLOBAL / MACROGLOBAL / MACRO
LOCAL / MICROLOCAL / MICRO
spatialspatial jurisdictional /jurisdictional /
decision makingdecision making

jurisdictionjurisdiction
-- the legal power to administer andthe legal power to administer and
enforce the lawenforce the law
- the exercising of this power- the exercising of this power
- the region within which this- the region within which this
power is valid or in which apower is valid or in which a
person has authorityperson has authority
- authority- authority

DefiningDefining
SustainableSustainable
DevelopmentDevelopment

Sustainable development:Sustainable development:
meeting the needs of themeeting the needs of the
present without compromisingpresent without compromising
the ability of future generationsthe ability of future generations
to meet their own needs.to meet their own needs.
– World Commission on Environment andWorld Commission on Environment and
Development (1987):Development (1987): Our Common FutureOur Common Future

Elements of sustainabilityElements of sustainability
Environment
Economy Society
- World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987- World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987

the sustainablethe sustainable
development triangledevelopment triangle

Environment
•biodiversitybiodiversity
•materialsmaterials
•energyenergy
•biophysical interactionsbiophysical interactions

Economy
•money and capitalmoney and capital
•employmentemployment
•technological growthtechnological growth
•investmentinvestment
•market forcesmarket forces

Society
•human diversity (cultural, linguistic, ethnic)human diversity (cultural, linguistic, ethnic)
•equity (dependence / independence)equity (dependence / independence)
•quality of lifequality of life
•institutional structures and organizationinstitutional structures and organization
•political structurespolitical structures

The ‘The ‘3 Es3 Es’ Model’ Model
Ecology
Economy Equity

The Healthy Community ModelThe Healthy Community Model
SOCIETYSOCIETY
ENVIRONMENTENVIRONMENT
ECONOMYECONOMY
HEALTHHEALTH

Sustainability: PROBLEMSSustainability: PROBLEMS
Depletion of finite resourcesDepletion of finite resources
– fuels, soil, minerals, speciesfuels, soil, minerals, species
Over-use of renewable resourcesOver-use of renewable resources
– forests, fish & wildlife, fertility, public fundsforests, fish & wildlife, fertility, public funds
PollutionPollution
– air, water, soilair, water, soil
InequityInequity
– economic, political, social, gendereconomic, political, social, gender
Species lossSpecies loss
– endangered species and spacesendangered species and spaces
- WCED, 1987- WCED, 1987

Sustainability: SOLUTIONSSustainability: SOLUTIONS
Cyclical material useCyclical material use
– emulate natural cycles; 3 R’semulate natural cycles; 3 R’s
Safe reliable energySafe reliable energy
– conservation, renewable energy,conservation, renewable energy,
substitution, interim measuressubstitution, interim measures
Life-based interestsLife-based interests
– health, creativity, communication,health, creativity, communication,
coordination, appreciation, learning,coordination, appreciation, learning,
intellectual and spiritual developmentintellectual and spiritual development

Two key sustainable development concepts:Two key sustainable development concepts:
EQUITYEQUITY
LIMITS TO GROWTHLIMITS TO GROWTH
-WCED 1987-WCED 1987

the concept ofthe concept of needsneeds, particularly the essential, particularly the essential
needs of the world’s poorneeds of the world’s poor
EQUITYEQUITY

EQUITYEQUITY
• the quality of being fair or impartial;the quality of being fair or impartial;
fairness; impartialityfairness; impartiality
• something that is fair and just.something that is fair and just.
-dictionary.com-dictionary.com

Contrast with:Contrast with:
EQUALITYEQUALITY
• the state or quality of being equal;the state or quality of being equal;
correspondence in quantity, degree,correspondence in quantity, degree,
value, rank, or ability.value, rank, or ability.
• uniform character, as of motion oruniform character, as of motion or
surface.surface.
-dictionary.com-dictionary.com

the idea ofthe idea of limitationslimitations (ecological, technological,(ecological, technological,
and social) which affect the environment’sand social) which affect the environment’s
ability to meet present and future needsability to meet present and future needs

-- quantitativequantitative andand qualitative limitsqualitative limits
- living within the regenerative and- living within the regenerative and
assimilative capacities of the planetassimilative capacities of the planet

Sustainable development...Sustainable development...
implies limitsimplies limits
Not predefined absolute limits, butNot predefined absolute limits, but
limitations imposed by:limitations imposed by:
– the ability of the biosphere to absorb thethe ability of the biosphere to absorb the
effects of human activitieseffects of human activities
– adaptability of human social and politicaladaptability of human social and political
organizationorganization
– technologytechnology

Sustainable developmentSustainable development
and economic growthand economic growth
Economic growth must be made:Economic growth must be made:
– less material intensive (‘dematerialization ofless material intensive (‘dematerialization of
the economy’)the economy’)
– less energy intensiveless energy intensive
– more equitable in its impactsmore equitable in its impacts
Economic growth may be reduced orEconomic growth may be reduced or
curtailed to meet limitations imposed bycurtailed to meet limitations imposed by
environment, technology, or societyenvironment, technology, or society

Institutional gaps impedingInstitutional gaps impeding
sustainable developmentsustainable development
2 major gaps:2 major gaps:
fragmented decision makingfragmented decision making
– narrow mandates, jurisdictional rigidity,narrow mandates, jurisdictional rigidity,
lack of communication and coordinationlack of communication and coordination
lack of accountabiitylack of accountabiity
– failure to make the bodies whose policyfailure to make the bodies whose policy
actions degrade the environmentactions degrade the environment
responsible for their actionsresponsible for their actions

materials andmaterials and
energyenergy

Obsolescent “frontier” civilization:Obsolescent “frontier” civilization:
ENERGYENERGY
CONVENTIONALCONVENTIONAL
URBAN SYSTEMURBAN SYSTEM
MATERIALSMATERIALS
HEATHEAT
WASTE &WASTE &
TOXINSTOXINS
One-way flow of materials and energyOne-way flow of materials and energy
CONSUMERCONSUMER
SOCIETYSOCIETY
NON-RENEWABLENON-RENEWABLE
and RENEWABLEand RENEWABLE
HIGHHIGH
THROUGHPUTTHROUGHPUT

CONSERVERCONSERVER
SOCIETYSOCIETY
Sustainable civilization:Sustainable civilization:
•Cyclical flows of materialsCyclical flows of materials
•Appropriate energy usageAppropriate energy usage
Energy EfficiencyEnergy Efficiency
RENEWABLERENEWABLE
Waste MinimizationWaste Minimization
Toxics controlToxics control
LOWLOW
THROUGHPUTTHROUGHPUT
ENERGYENERGY
MATERIALSMATERIALS
Low-qualityLow-quality
Heat EnergyHeat Energy
Low-volumeLow-volume
NontoxicNontoxic
WasteWaste
MaterialsMaterials

informationinformation
and decisionand decision
makingmaking

Sustainable development...Sustainable development...
considers future and presentconsiders future and present
needs whenneeds when making decisionsmaking decisions
about:about:
– resource and energy useresource and energy use
– technological developmenttechnological development
– direction of investmentsdirection of investments
– social, political & institutionalsocial, political & institutional
change...etc. etc. etc.change...etc. etc. etc.

ECONOMYECONOMY
ENV’TENV’T
SOCIETYSOCIETY
TRADITIONAL
DECISION MAKING

ECONOMYECONOMY
ENV’TENV’T
SOCIETYSOCIETY
TRADITIONAL
DECISION MAKING
• NON-PARTICIPATORYNON-PARTICIPATORY
•FRAGMENTEDFRAGMENTED

SOCIETYSOCIETY
ECONOMYECONOMY
ECONOMYECONOMY
ENV’TENV’T
SOCIETYSOCIETY
TRADITIONAL
DECISION MAKING
ECOSYSTEM-BASED
DECISION MAKING
‘‘ECO-ECO-
SYSTEMSYSTEM
HEALTH’HEALTH’

SOCIETYSOCIETY
ECONOMYECONOMY
ECOSYSTEM-BASED
DECISION MAKING
• PARTICIPATORYPARTICIPATORY
• INTEGRATEDINTEGRATED
‘‘ECO-ECO-
SYSTEMSYSTEM
HEALTH’HEALTH’

Fragmented decision-makingFragmented decision-making
ISSUEISSUE
federal /federal /
nationalnational
municipalmunicipal
publicpublic
privateprivate
provincial /provincial /
statestate
regionalregional
otherother
interestsinterests
communitycommunity
groupsgroups
- after Barrett and Kidd, 1991- after Barrett and Kidd, 1991

Integrated decision-makingIntegrated decision-making
regionalregional
provincial/provincial/
statestate
municipalmunicipalmunicipal
privateprivateprivate
communitycommunitycommunity
groupsgroupsgroups
publicpublicpublic
otherother
interestsinterests
federal/federalfederal/
nationalnationalnational
ISSUEISSUEISSUE
- after Barrett and Kidd, 1991- after Barrett and Kidd, 1991

• reactivereactive

(‘end of pipe’)(‘end of pipe’)

• anticipatoryanticipatory

(planning for(planning for
change)change)

• radicalradical

• radicalradical
(fundamental;(fundamental;
root causes)root causes)

• radicalradical
•
anticipatoryanticipatory
IndustryIndustry
• change in demandchange in demand
-- less consumptionless consumption
- alternative consumption- alternative consumption
• change in processchange in process
-- clean technologyclean technology
- elimination of toxics- elimination of toxics
• sewage treatment plantsewage treatment plant
-- ‘end of pipe’ solution‘end of pipe’ solution
• environmentenvironment
andand
economyeconomy
andand
societysociety
andand
economyeconomy
oror
economyeconomy

NorthernNorthern
TelecomTelecom
based in Canadabased in Canada
42 plants in various countries42 plants in various countries
manufacturer of electronic componentsmanufacturer of electronic components
(telecommunications)(telecommunications)
1988: 1000+ tonnes of CFCs per year1988: 1000+ tonnes of CFCs per year
1992: 0 tonnes of CFCs used per year1992: 0 tonnes of CFCs used per year
HistoricalHistorical
example:example:

Original ProcessOriginal Process
1) raw components and grease1) raw components and grease
2) manufacturing and assembly process2) manufacturing and assembly process
3) clean off grease with CFCs3) clean off grease with CFCs
4) finished product4) finished product

Revised processRevised process
1) raw components,1) raw components, nono greasegrease
2) manufacturing and assembly process2) manufacturing and assembly process
3) no need to clean off grease with CFCs3) no need to clean off grease with CFCs
4) finished product4) finished product

EnvironmentEnvironment ANDAND EconomyEconomy
$1 million to develop new process$1 million to develop new process
$4 million savings in first year (no$4 million savings in first year (no
CFCs)CFCs)
$50 million savings to year 2000$50 million savings to year 2000
international environmental prize ->international environmental prize ->
great publicitygreat publicity
contract with Mexico for industrialcontract with Mexico for industrial
innovation (very lucrative)innovation (very lucrative)

• radicalradical
•

• radicalradical
•
IndustryIndustry

• radicalradical
•
IndustryIndustry
• change inchange in
demand fordemand for
productproduct
industrialindustrial
processprocess
• sewagesewage
treatmenttreatment
plant forplant for
wasteswastes

• radicalradical
•
IndustryIndustry
• demand fordemand for
productproduct
• industrialindustrial
processprocess
• sewagesewage
• treatmenttreatment
• plant forplant for
wasteswastes
BiodiversityBiodiversity
• applyapply
landscapelandscape
ecologyecology
principlesprinciples
to humanto human
activityactivity
• establishestablish
nationalnational
parks (12%)parks (12%)
to protectto protect
habitatshabitats
• zoo / seedzoo / seed
bank forbank for
endangeredendangered
speciesspecies
TransportationTransportation

• radicalradical
•
IndustryIndustry
demand fordemand for
productproduct
industrialindustrial
processprocess
• sewagesewage
treatmenttreatment
plant forplant for
wasteswastes
BiodiversityBiodiversity
• applyapply
landscapelandscape
ecologyecology
to humanto human
activityactivity
• establishestablish
nationalnational
parks (12%)parks (12%)
to protectto protect
habitatshabitats
• zoo / seedzoo / seed
bank forbank for
endangeredendangered
speciesspecies
TransportationTransportation
• completecomplete
redesign ofredesign of
our citiesour cities
• alternativealternative
fuels for carsfuels for cars
• catalyticcatalytic
convertersconverters

valuesvalues ideologyideology strategiesstrategies
values, ideologiesvalues, ideologies
and strategiesand strategies

interactions amongstinteractions amongst
values / ideologies / strategiesvalues / ideologies / strategies
valuesvalues
individual, cultural, social, spiritual, moralindividual, cultural, social, spiritual, moral

valuesvalues
ideologiesideologies
Definable sets of values constituteDefinable sets of values constitute
Short form summary of basic values thatShort form summary of basic values that
eliminates the need to engage in deepeliminates the need to engage in deep
philosophical investigations every time action isphilosophical investigations every time action is
requiredrequired

valuesvalues
(e.g. Industrial Capitalism, Marxism, Christianity,(e.g. Industrial Capitalism, Marxism, Christianity,
Liberalism, Socialism, Conservatism, Judaism)Liberalism, Socialism, Conservatism, Judaism)

valuesvalues
strategiesstrategies
(e.g. Industrial Capitalism, Marxism, Christianity,(e.g. Industrial Capitalism, Marxism, Christianity,
Liberalism, Socialism, Conservatism, Judaism)Liberalism, Socialism, Conservatism, Judaism)
……which give rise towhich give rise to
practical applications of ideologically consistentpractical applications of ideologically consistent
ideas, actions, policies and programsideas, actions, policies and programs

environmental valuesenvironmental values
• holistic perspectiveholistic perspective
• everything is connected to everything elseeverything is connected to everything else
• parts can only be understood in the contextparts can only be understood in the context
of the wholeof the whole
• nature as a living organism or systemnature as a living organism or system
(after(after Macdonald, D. 1991.Macdonald, D. 1991. The Politics of PollutionThe Politics of Pollution..
McClelland and Stewart, Toronto: p.33)McClelland and Stewart, Toronto: p.33)

• humans living within naturehumans living within nature
-> inherent value of other organisms and-> inherent value of other organisms and
inanimate objectsinanimate objects
• limits to growthlimits to growth
(after(after Macdonald, D. 1991.Macdonald, D. 1991. The Politics of PollutionThe Politics of Pollution..
McClelland and Stewart, Toronto: p.33)McClelland and Stewart, Toronto: p.33)

• appropriate technologyappropriate technology
• matching the scope and scale of technologymatching the scope and scale of technology
to the task at handto the task at hand
• principles of durability and efficiencyprinciples of durability and efficiency
• recognition that new technology brings bothrecognition that new technology brings both
benefitsbenefits andand problemsproblems

•appropriate scaleappropriate scale
• appropriate sizes for institutions, socialappropriate sizes for institutions, social
organizations, communitiesorganizations, communities
•accessible and accountable decision-makingaccessible and accountable decision-making
in public and private sectorsin public and private sectors

environmental ideologiesenvironmental ideologies
• technological optimismtechnological optimism
• sustainable developmentsustainable development (Brundtland Commission)(Brundtland Commission)
• social ecologysocial ecology (Murray Bookchin)(Murray Bookchin)
• deep ecologydeep ecology (Arne Naess)(Arne Naess)
• ecofeminismecofeminism (Françoise D’Eaubonne)(Françoise D’Eaubonne)
• various ‘green’ political partiesvarious ‘green’ political parties
many variants: e.g., alliances with socialism,many variants: e.g., alliances with socialism,
feminism, peace movement, etc.feminism, peace movement, etc.
examples ofexamples of

• reform environmentalism (traditionalreform environmentalism (traditional
bureacracies and political action)bureacracies and political action)
• direct action and interventiondirect action and intervention (e.g. Earth First!)(e.g. Earth First!)
• single-issue lobbying / intervention groupssingle-issue lobbying / intervention groups
(e.g., Save the Rouge Valley System)(e.g., Save the Rouge Valley System)
• permanent organizationspermanent organizations (e.g., Greenpeace)(e.g., Greenpeace)
• alliances and coalitionsalliances and coalitions
(e.g., Canadian Coalition on Acid Rain)(e.g., Canadian Coalition on Acid Rain)
• round tables, forumsround tables, forums (e.g., National Round Table on(e.g., National Round Table on
the Environment and the Economy)the Environment and the Economy)
environmentalenvironmental strategiesstrategies
andand strategistsstrategists

• feedback loop allows for reflection,feedback loop allows for reflection,
re-evaluation, adaptive managementre-evaluation, adaptive management

ideologyideology
valuesvalues strategiesstrategies
• if no feedback loop: inflexible, unresponsiveif no feedback loop: inflexible, unresponsive

ideologyideology
valuesvalues strategiesstrategies
dogmadogma

Sustainability:Sustainability:
How do we move fromHow do we move from
rhetoric to reality?rhetoric to reality?

policypolicy

policypolicy
practicepractice

To be useful, principles ofTo be useful, principles of
sustainability must:sustainability must:
be easily understoodbe easily understood
be applicable in many contextsbe applicable in many contexts
be transferrable across scalesbe transferrable across scales
translate well from fundamental valuestranslate well from fundamental values
into applied policy and practical actioninto applied policy and practical action
identify possibilities foridentify possibilities for radicalradical
transformative changetransformative change ANDAND
positive incremental changepositive incremental change

SomeSome
Principles of SustainabilityPrinciples of Sustainability
in the literature:in the literature:
Our Common Future (WCED 1987)Our Common Future (WCED 1987)
Principles defining sustainable developmentPrinciples defining sustainable development (OSEM 1989)(OSEM 1989)
Defining a sustainable societyDefining a sustainable society (Robinson(Robinson etet alal . 1990,1996). 1990,1996)
Agenda 21 (1992)Agenda 21 (1992)
Six principles of sustainable developmentSix principles of sustainable development (ORTEE 1992)(ORTEE 1992)
Guideposts for a sustainable futureGuideposts for a sustainable future (Nickerson 1993)(Nickerson 1993)
Framework for Sustainable DevelopmentFramework for Sustainable Development (CIDA 1994)(CIDA 1994)
The Natural StepThe Natural Step (Robert(Robert etet alal . 1994). 1994)
Sustainability PrinciplesSustainability Principles (ORTEE 1994), etc.(ORTEE 1994), etc.

Recent compilation ofRecent compilation of
Principles of SustainabilityPrinciples of Sustainability
http://iisd1.iisd.ca/sd/principle.asphttp://iisd1.iisd.ca/sd/principle.asp
-IISD (Winnipeg)-IISD (Winnipeg)

Guideposts for SustainabilityGuideposts for Sustainability
(after Nickerson, 1993)(after Nickerson, 1993)
Activities areActivities are sustainablesustainable when they:when they:
1.1. Use materials in continuous cycles.Use materials in continuous cycles.
2.2. Use continuously reliable sources ofUse continuously reliable sources of
energy.energy.
3.3. Encourage desirable human traitsEncourage desirable human traits
(equity; creativity; communication;(equity; creativity; communication;
coordination; appreciation; intellectualcoordination; appreciation; intellectual
andand spiritual development).spiritual development).
One example:One example:

Guideposts for SustainabilityGuideposts for Sustainability
Activities areActivities are not sustainablenot sustainable when they:when they:
4.4. Require continual inputs of non-renewableRequire continual inputs of non-renewable
resources.resources.
5.5. Use renewable resources faster than theirUse renewable resources faster than their
rate of renewal.rate of renewal.
6.6. Cause cumulative degradation of theCause cumulative degradation of the
environment.environment.
7.7. Require resources in quantities that couldRequire resources in quantities that could
never be available for people everywhere.never be available for people everywhere.
8.8. Lead to the extinction of other life forms.Lead to the extinction of other life forms.

AboutAbout
InterdisciplinarityInterdisciplinarity

What do you answer if someone asks you,What do you answer if someone asks you,
– What is your major?
– What are your career goals?
– What is your ethnic origin?

careercareer
goalsgoals
academicacademic
majormajor
ethnoculturalethnocultural
identityidentity
NormativeNormative
categoriescategories

NormativeNormative
categoriescategories

NormativeNormative
categoriescategories““disciplines”disciplines”

disciplinarydisciplinary
MultiMultidisciplinarydisciplinary
InterInterdisciplinarydisciplinary
TransTransdisciplinarydisciplinary
- what are the differences?- what are the differences?
ReferenceReference:: Stefanovic, Ingrid. 1996. InterdisciplinarityStefanovic, Ingrid. 1996. Interdisciplinarity
and Wholeness: Lessons from Eco-Research.and Wholeness: Lessons from Eco-Research.
EnvironmentsEnvironments 23(3): 74-94.23(3): 74-94.

Disciplinary:Disciplinary:
of or pertaining to a discrete branchof or pertaining to a discrete branch
of learningof learning
knowledge within generally acceptedknowledge within generally accepted
boundariesboundaries

Disciplinary:Disciplinary:
often associated with discipline-specificoften associated with discipline-specific
vocabularies, methods, and assumptionsvocabularies, methods, and assumptions
Examples of disciplines:Examples of disciplines:
sociology, philosophy, biology,sociology, philosophy, biology,
political science, chemistry, economics,political science, chemistry, economics,
geography, mathematics...geography, mathematics...

MultiMultidisciplinary:disciplinary:
standard disciplinary approaches arestandard disciplinary approaches are
applied to a common research question,applied to a common research question,
problem or issueproblem or issue
insights achieved through an approachinsights achieved through an approach
which is essentiallywhich is essentially additiveadditive rather thanrather than
integrativeintegrative

MultiMultidisciplinary:disciplinary:
aa spontaneous coalescencespontaneous coalescence of theseof these
disparate approaches is anticipateddisparate approaches is anticipated
arguably the approach which producesarguably the approach which produces
the most substantive research resultsthe most substantive research results

ISSUEdisciplinediscipline
discipline
discipline
disciplinediscipline
discipline
discipline disciplinediscipline
discipline
discipline
discipline
discipline

InterInterdisciplinary:disciplinary:
thethe issue, problem, or concernissue, problem, or concern defines thedefines the
disciplinary expertise which is brought todisciplinary expertise which is brought to
bearbear
……arguably the most effective policy-arguably the most effective policy-
oriented problem-solving approachoriented problem-solving approach

InterInterdisciplinary:disciplinary:
a level of integration which involves morea level of integration which involves more
than an additive analysis of thethan an additive analysis of the
disciplinary perspectivesdisciplinary perspectives
insights are achieved through aninsights are achieved through an
approach which is explicitlyapproach which is explicitly integrative ->integrative ->
anan a prioria priori attempt is made atattempt is made at
synthesissynthesis across disciplinary boundariesacross disciplinary boundaries

disciplinedisciplinedisciplinediscipline ISSUE

sectorsectorsectorsector ISSUE
sectorsector
sectorsector
sectorsector
sectorsector
sectorsector
sectorsector

TransTransdisciplinary:disciplinary:
recognizes the interconnectedness of allrecognizes the interconnectedness of all
aspects of reality and knowledgeaspects of reality and knowledge
Goal: distinctions amongst disciplines areGoal: distinctions amongst disciplines are
eliminated completelyeliminated completely

TransTransdisciplinary:disciplinary:
““an attempt to transcend the dynamics ofan attempt to transcend the dynamics of
a dialectical synthesis to grasp the totala dialectical synthesis to grasp the total
dynamics of reality as a whole”dynamics of reality as a whole”
Examples of transdisciplinary endeavour:Examples of transdisciplinary endeavour:
– general systems theorygeneral systems theory
– phenomenologyphenomenology

disciplinedisciplineISSUE

Introduction to sustainability

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