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- 2. http://www.brocku.ca/tren/ courses/tren3p18 These notes available via the online course outline at:
- 3. TREN 1F90 Introduction to Sustainability Definitions – environment – policy – scale – jurisdiction Defining Sustainable Development About Interdisciplinarity
- 5. en·vi·ron·ment in-'vI-r&(n)-m&nt, -'vI(-&)r(n)- [n] 1 : the circumstances, objects, or conditions by which one is surrounded 2 a : the complex of physical, chemical, and biotic factors (as climate, soil, and living things) that act upon an organism or an ecological community and ultimately determine its form and survival b : the aggregate of social and cultural conditions that influence the life of an individual or community. - Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, 2004
- 6. environment [n] the totality of surrounding conditions.
- 7. environmental effects …are felt, and modified, in 3 main ways - through the flows of: MATERIALS ENERGY INFORMATION -> fundamental ‘spheres of influence’ for sustainability
- 8. policy …a course or general plan of action to be adopted by a government, party, person, etc. - Concise Oxford Dictionary
- 9. policy …a selected, planned line of conduct in the light of which individual decisions are made and coordination achieved - Webster’s Encyclopedic Dictionary
- 10. conceptual tools for understanding sustainability
- 11. scale - an ordered series of graduated quantities, values, degrees, etc. - relative magnitude - Webster’s Encyclopedic Dictionary
- 12. scale may be: - physical / geographical – ranking based upon size, dimension, geographical subunit, etc. - ecological – individual, deme, community, population - jurisdictional – local, municipal, regional, federal, global
- 13. scale earth continent country province region municipality neighbourhood household individual United Nations . . governments . . ngos / community groups . individuals GLOBAL / MACRO LOCAL / MICRO spatial jurisdictional / decision making
- 14. jurisdiction - the legal power to administer and enforce the law - the exercising of this power - the region within which this power is valid or in which a person has authority - authority - Webster’s Encyclopedic Dictionary
- 16. Sustainable development: meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. – World Commission on Environment and Development (1987): Our Common Future
- 17. Elements of sustainability Environment Economy Society - World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987
- 19. Elements of sustainability Environment Economy Society - World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987
- 20. Elements of sustainability Environment - World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987 •biodiversity •materials •energy •biophysical interactions
- 21. Elements of sustainability Economy - World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987 •money and capital •employment •technological growth •investment •market forces
- 22. Elements of sustainability Society - World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987 •human diversity (cultural, linguistic, ethnic) •equity (dependence / independence) •quality of life •institutional structures and organization •political structures
- 23. The ‘3 Es’ Model Ecology Economy Equity
- 24. The Healthy Community Model SOCIETY ENVIRONMENT ECONOMY HEALTH
- 25. Sustainability: PROBLEMS Depletion of finite resources – fuels, soil, minerals, species Over-use of renewable resources – forests, fish & wildlife, fertility, public funds Pollution – air, water, soil Inequity – economic, political, social, gender Species loss – endangered species and spaces - WCED, 1987
- 26. Sustainability: SOLUTIONS Cyclical material use – emulate natural cycles; 3 R’s Safe reliable energy – conservation, renewable energy, substitution, interim measures Life-based interests – health, creativity, communication, coordination, appreciation, learning, intellectual and spiritual development
- 27. Two key sustainable development concepts: EQUITY LIMITS TO GROWTH -WCED 1987
- 28. Two key sustainable development concepts: the concept of needs, particularly the essential needs of the world’s poor EQUITY -WCED 1987
- 29. Two key sustainable development concepts: EQUITY • the quality of being fair or impartial; fairness; impartiality • something that is fair and just. -dictionary.com
- 30. Contrast with: EQUALITY • the state or quality of being equal; correspondence in quantity, degree, value, rank, or ability. • uniform character, as of motion or surface. -dictionary.com
- 31. Two key sustainable development concepts: the idea of limitations (ecological, technological, and social) which affect the environment’s ability to meet present and future needs LIMITS TO GROWTH -WCED 1987
- 32. Two key sustainable development concepts: LIMITS TO GROWTH - quantitative and qualitative limits - living within the regenerative and assimilative capacities of the planet -WCED 1987
- 33. Sustainable development... implies limits Not predefined absolute limits, but limitations imposed by: – the ability of the biosphere to absorb the effects of human activities – adaptability of human social and political organization – technology
- 34. Sustainable development and economic growth Economic growth must be made: – less material intensive (‘dematerialization of the economy’) – less energy intensive – more equitable in its impacts Economic growth may be reduced or curtailed to meet limitations imposed by environment, technology, or society
- 35. Institutional gaps impeding sustainable development 2 major gaps: fragmented decision making – narrow mandates, jurisdictional rigidity, lack of communication and coordination lack of accountabiity – failure to make the bodies whose policy actions degrade the environment responsible for their actions
- 37. Obsolescent “frontier” civilization: ENERGY CONVENTIONAL URBAN SYSTEM MATERIALS HEAT WASTE & TOXINS One-way flow of materials and energy CONSUMER SOCIETY NON-RENEWABLE and RENEWABLE HIGH THROUGHPUT
- 38. CONSERVER SOCIETY Sustainable civilization: •Cyclical flows of materials •Appropriate energy usage Energy Efficiency RENEWABLE Waste Minimization Toxics control LOW THROUGHPUT ENERGY MATERIALS Low-quality Heat Energy Low-volume Nontoxic Waste Materials
- 40. Sustainable development... considers future and present needs when making decisions about: –resource and energy use –technological development –direction of investments –social, political & institutional change...etc. etc. etc.
- 44. SOCIETY ENVIRONMENT ECONOMY ECOSYSTEM-BASED DECISION MAKING • PARTICIPATORY • INTEGRATED ‘ECO- SYSTEM HEALTH’
- 45. Fragmented decision-making ISSUE federal / national municipal public private provincial / state regional other interests community groups - after Barrett and Kidd, 1991
- 46. Integrated decision-making regional provincial/ provincial/ state state municipal municipal private private community community groups groups public public other other interests interests federal/ federal/ national national ISSUE ISSUE - after Barrett and Kidd, 1991
- 48. decision making • reactive (‘end of pipe’)
- 49. decision making • anticipatory • reactive
- 50. decision making • anticipatory (planning for change) • reactive
- 51. decision making • radical • anticipatory • reactive
- 52. decision making • radical (fundamental; root causes) • anticipatory • reactive
- 53. decision making • radical • anticipatory • reactive
- 54. • radical • anticipatory • reactive Industry • change in demand - less consumption - alternative consumption • change in process - clean technology - elimination of toxics • sewage treatment plant - ‘end of pipe’ solution • environment and economy and society • environment and economy • environment or economy
- 55. Northern Telecom based in Canada 42 plants in various countries manufacturer of electronic components (telecommunications) 1988: 1000+ tonnes of CFCs per year 1992: 0 tonnes of CFCs used per year Historical example:
- 56. Original Process 1) raw components and grease 2) manufacturing and assembly process 3) clean off grease with CFCs 4) finished product
- 57. Revised process 1) raw components, no grease 2) manufacturing and assembly process 3) no need to clean off grease with CFCs 4) finished product
- 58. Environment AND Economy $1 million to develop new process $4 million savings in first year (no CFCs) $50 million savings to year 2000 international environmental prize -> great publicity contract with Mexico for industrial innovation (very lucrative)
- 59. • radical • anticipatory • reactive
- 60. • radical • anticipatory • reactive Industry
- 61. • radical • anticipatory • reactive Industry • change in demand for product • change in industrial process • sewage treatment plant for wastes
- 62. • radical • anticipatory • reactive Industry • change in • demand for product • change in • industrial process • sewage • treatment • plant for wastes Biodiversity • apply landscape ecology principles to human activity • establish national parks (12%) to protect habitats • zoo / seed bank for endangered species Transportation
- 63. • radical • anticipatory • reactive Industry • change in demand for product • change in industrial process • sewage treatment plant for wastes Biodiversity • apply landscape ecology principles to human activity • establish national parks (12%) to protect habitats • zoo / seed bank for endangered species Transportation • complete redesign of our cities • alternative fuels for cars • catalytic converters
- 64. values ideology strategies values, ideologies and strategies
- 65. interactions amongst values / ideologies / strategies values individual, cultural, social, spiritual, moral
- 66. interactions amongst values / ideologies / strategies values ideologies Definable sets of values constitute individual, cultural, social, spiritual, moral Short form summary of basic values that eliminates the need to engage in deep philosophical investigations every time action is required
- 67. interactions amongst values / ideologies / strategies values ideologies Definable sets of values constitute (e.g. Industrial Capitalism, Marxism, Christianity, Liberalism, Socialism, Conservatism, Judaism) individual, cultural, social, spiritual, moral
- 68. interactions amongst values / ideologies / strategies values ideologies strategies Definable sets of values constitute (e.g. Industrial Capitalism, Marxism, Christianity, Liberalism, Socialism, Conservatism, Judaism) …which give rise to practical applications of ideologically consistent ideas, actions, policies and programs individual, cultural, social, spiritual, moral
- 69. interactions amongst values / ideologies / strategies values ideology strategies
- 70. environmental values values ideology strategies • holistic perspective • everything is connected to everything else • parts can only be understood in the context of the whole • nature as a living organism or system (after Macdonald, D. 1991. The Politics of Pollution. McClelland and Stewart, Toronto: p.33)
- 71. environmental values values ideology strategies • humans living within nature -> inherent value of other organisms and inanimate objects • limits to growth (after Macdonald, D. 1991. The Politics of Pollution. McClelland and Stewart, Toronto: p.33)
- 72. environmental values values ideology strategies • appropriate technology • matching the scope and scale of technology to the task at hand • principles of durability and efficiency • recognition that new technology brings both benefits and problems
- 73. environmental values values ideology strategies •appropriate scale • appropriate sizes for institutions, social organizations, communities •accessible and accountable decision-making in public and private sectors
- 74. interactions amongst values / ideologies / strategies values ideology strategies
- 75. environmental ideologies values ideology strategies • technological optimism • sustainable development (Brundtland Commission) • social ecology (Murray Bookchin) • deep ecology (Arne Naess) • ecofeminism (Françoise D’Eaubonne) • various ‘green’ political parties many variants: e.g., alliances with socialism, feminism, peace movement, etc. examples of
- 76. interactions amongst values / ideologies / strategies values ideology strategies
- 77. • reform environmentalism (traditional bureacracies and political action) • direct action and intervention (e.g. Earth First!) • single-issue lobbying / intervention groups (e.g., Save the Rouge Valley System) • permanent organizations (e.g., Greenpeace) • alliances and coalitions (e.g., Canadian Coalition on Acid Rain) • round tables, forums (e.g., National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy) environmental strategies and strategists
- 78. interactions amongst values / ideologies / strategies values ideology strategies
- 79. interactions amongst values / ideologies / strategies values ideology strategies • feedback loop allows for reflection, re-evaluation, adaptive management
- 80. ideology interactions amongst values / ideologies / strategies values strategies • if no feedback loop: inflexible, unresponsive
- 81. ideology interactions amongst values / ideologies / strategies values strategies dogma
- 82. interactions amongst values / ideologies / strategies values ideology strategies
- 83. Sustainability: How do we move from rhetoric to reality?
- 84. principles
- 87. To be useful, principles of sustainability must: be easily understood be applicable in many contexts be transferrable across scales translate well from fundamental values into applied policy and practical action identify possibilities for radical transformative change AND positive incremental change
- 88. Some Principles of Sustainability in the literature: Our Common Future (WCED 1987) Principles defining sustainable development (OSEM 1989) Defining a sustainable society (Robinson et al . 1990,1996) Agenda 21 (1992) Six principles of sustainable development (ORTEE 1992) Guideposts for a sustainable future (Nickerson 1993) Framework for Sustainable Development (CIDA 1994) The Natural Step (Robert et al . 1994) Sustainability Principles (ORTEE 1994), etc.
- 89. Recent compilation of Principles of Sustainability http://iisd1.iisd.ca/sd/principle.asp -IISD (Winnipeg)
- 90. Guideposts for Sustainability (after Nickerson, 1993) Activities are sustainable when they: 1. Use materials in continuous cycles. 2. Use continuously reliable sources of energy. 3. Encourage desirable human traits (equity; creativity; communication; coordination; appreciation; intellectual and spiritual development). One example:
- 91. Guideposts for Sustainability Activities are not sustainable when they: 4. Require continual inputs of non-renewable resources. 5. Use renewable resources faster than their rate of renewal. 6. Cause cumulative degradation of the environment. 7. Require resources in quantities that could never be available for people everywhere. 8. Lead to the extinction of other life forms.
- 93. What do you answer if someone asks you, – What is your major? – What are your career goals? – What is your ethnic origin?
- 97. disciplinary Multidisciplinary Interdisciplinary Transdisciplinary - what are the differences? Reference: Stefanovic, Ingrid. 1996. Interdisciplinarity and Wholeness: Lessons from Eco-Research. Environments 23(3): 74-94.
- 98. Disciplinary: of or pertaining to a discrete branch of learning knowledge within generally accepted boundaries
- 99. Disciplinary: often associated with discipline-specific vocabularies, methods, and assumptions Examples of disciplines: sociology, philosophy, biology, political science, chemistry, economics, geography, mathematics...
- 100. Multidisciplinary: standard disciplinary approaches are applied to a common research question, problem or issue insights achieved through an approach which is essentially additive rather than integrative
- 101. Multidisciplinary: a spontaneous coalescence of these disparate approaches is anticipated arguably the approach which produces the most substantive research results
- 102. ISSUE
- 104. Interdisciplinary: the issue, problem, or concern defines the disciplinary expertise which is brought to bear …arguably the most effective policy- oriented problem-solving approach
- 105. Interdisciplinary: a level of integration which involves more than an additive analysis of the disciplinary perspectives insights are achieved through an approach which is explicitly integrative -> an a priori attempt is made at synthesis across disciplinary boundaries
- 106. ISSUE
- 107. ISSUE
- 110. Transdisciplinary: recognizes the interconnectedness of all aspects of reality and knowledge Goal: distinctions amongst disciplines are eliminated completely
- 111. Transdisciplinary: “an attempt to transcend the dynamics of a dialectical synthesis to grasp the total dynamics of reality as a whole” Examples of transdisciplinary endeavour: – general systems theory – phenomenology