TREN 1F90 Introduction to Sustainability

Sustainable development: u 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

Elements of sustainability Environment EconomySociety - World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987

the sustainable development triangle

Elements of sustainability Environment EconomySociety - World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987

Elements of sustainability Environment - World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987 biodiversitybiodiversity materialsmaterials energyenergy biophysical interactionsbiophysical interactions

Elements of sustainability Economy - World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987 money and capitalmoney and capital employmentemployment technological growthtechnological growth investmentinvestment market forcesmarket forces

Elements of sustainability Society - World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987 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 ‘3 Es’ Model Ecology EconomyEquity

The Healthy Community Model SOCIETY ENVIRONMENT ECONOMY HEALTH

Sustainability: PROBLEMS u Depletion of finite resources –fuels, soil, minerals, species u Over-use of renewable resources –forests, fish & wildlife, fertility, public funds u Pollution –air, water, soil u Inequity –economic, political, social, gender u Species loss –endangered species and spaces - WCED, 1987

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

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

Two key sustainable development concepts: the concept of needs, particularly the essential needs of the world’s poor the concept of needs, particularly the essential needs of the world’s poor EQUITY EQUITY -WCED 1987

Two key sustainable development concepts: EQUITY EQUITY the quality of being fair or impartial; fairness; impartiality the quality of being fair or impartial; fairness; impartiality something that is fair and just. something that is fair and just. -dictionary.com

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

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 the idea of limitations (ecological, technological, and social) which affect the environment’s ability to meet present and future needs LIMITS TO GROWTH LIMITS TO GROWTH -WCED 1987

Two key sustainable development concepts: LIMITS TO GROWTH LIMITS TO GROWTH - quantitative and qualitative limits - living within the regenerative and assimilative capacities of the planet -WCED 1987

Sustainable development... u implies limits Not predefined absolute limits, but limitations imposed by: 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

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 u Economic growth may be reduced or curtailed to meet limitations imposed by environment, technology, or society

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

materials and energy

Obsolescent “frontier” civilization: ENERGY CONVENTIONAL URBAN SYSTEM MATERIALS HEAT WASTE & TOXINS One-way flow of materials and energy CONSUMERSOCIETY NON-RENEWABLE and RENEWABLE HIGHTHROUGHPUT

CONSERVERSOCIETY Sustainable civilization: Cyclical flows of materialsCyclical flows of materials Appropriate energy usageAppropriate energy usage Energy Efficiency RENEWABLE Waste Minimization Toxics control LOWTHROUGHPUT ENERGY MATERIALS Low-quality Heat Energy Low-volumeNontoxicWasteMaterials

information and decision making

Sustainable development... u 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.

ECONOMY ENV’T SOCIETY TRADITIONAL DECISION MAKING

ECONOMY ENV’T SOCIETY TRADITIONAL DECISION MAKING NON-PARTICIPATORY NON-PARTICIPATORY FRAGMENTEDFRAGMENTED

SOCIETY ENVIRONMENT ECONOMY ECONOMY ENV’T SOCIETY TRADITIONAL DECISION MAKING ECOSYSTEM-BASED DECISION MAKING ‘ECO- SYSTEM HEALTH’

SOCIETY ENVIRONMENT ECONOMY ECOSYSTEM-BASED DECISION MAKING PARTICIPATORY PARTICIPATORY INTEGRATED INTEGRATED ‘ECO- SYSTEM HEALTH’

Fragmented decision-making ISSUE federal / national municipal public private provincial / state regional otherinterests communitygroups - after Barrett and Kidd, 1991

Integrated decision-making regionalprovincial/ state municipalmunicipal privateprivate communitycommunity groups groups publicpublic other interests federal/ federal federal/ national national ISSUEISSUE - after Barrett and Kidd, 1991

decision making reactive reactive

decision making reactive reactive (‘end of pipe’) (‘end of pipe’)

decision making anticipatory anticipatory reactive reactive

decision making anticipatory anticipatory (planning for change) change) reactive reactive

decision making radical radical anticipatory anticipatory reactive reactive

decision making radical radical(fundamental; root causes) root causes) anticipatory anticipatory reactive reactive

decision making radical radical anticipatory anticipatory reactive reactive

radical radical anticipatory anticipatory reactive reactive Industry Industry change in demand change in demand - less consumption - less consumption - alternative consumption - alternative consumption change in process change in process - clean technology - clean technology - elimination of toxics - elimination of toxics sewage treatment plant sewage treatment plant - ‘end of pipe’ solution environment environment and and economy economy and and society society environment environmentandeconomy oreconomy