Sustainability Principles and Practice Chapter 1 What Is Sustainability?

Chapter Topics What is sustainability? Challenges and responses Sustainability as a discipline

Sustainability – definitions Able to continue for a long time Needs of each member of the biosphere are met without compromising ability of future generations to meet their needs

Fundamental concepts Systems Sustainability Triple bottom line Natural capital Triple bottom line

Systems Interconnected parts Whole greater than sum of its parts U.S. Global Change Research Program

Systems Closed loops – no waste Networks and connections Diversity Constant flows National Park Service

Natural capital Plants, animals, soil, water, air Ecosystem services Planetary “savings account” U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Triple bottom line Three pillars of sustainability are connected Equity Environment Economy

Triple bottom line Alternative model Environment Equity Economy Economy as wholly owned subsidiary of environment

Challenges Responses Extinction Population Overshoot Pollution Climate change Individual contributions  cumulative solutions Regenerative era Better quality of life

What is a discipline? Coherent body of knowledge Criteria for defining new knowledge Education programs Community of scholars Professional literature with peer review

Sustainability as a discipline Still forming Interdisciplinary Sustainability Knowledge and Skills

Preparing to work in the field Broadest education possible Become a Renaissance man or woman Practice lifelong learning Develop critical thinking skills Learn to work with people

Chapter Summary What is sustainability? Challenges and responses Persists over the long term Involves systems Includes triple bottom line Challenges and responses Planetary situation is dire Pieces of solutions can be seen Sustainability as a discipline Interdisciplinary field still forming Practitioners need broad education, critical thinking skills, people skills