1. Divergent vs Convergent Development Models
Drawings from Tenza-Peral A, García-Barrios L, & Giménez A, 2010.

2. Topics for discussion
How does the discussion of convergent and divergent development models fit into the general framework of sustainability science?
How does the developing world’s perspective on preferred development scenarios differ from that of the developed world?
Are convergent development models more sustainable than divergent models?

3. The services that flow from landscapes depend on how land is used
Natural Capital, Services and Human Wellbeing
The services that flow from landscapes depend on how land is used
Carpenter et al In: Dasgupta et al

4. Natural capital can be used for multiple purposes
Natural capital can be used for multiple purposes. How is it balanced between human well being and maintaining life support systems?
Is this a necessary trade-off? Does the convergent model do both better?

5. “Efficiency frontier”
An efficient land-use pattern is one that maximizes biodiversity at a given level of economic return (and vice versa)
Polasky et al 2008
“Efficiency frontier”
Actual land-use
Pattern (1990)
Present value of a land-use activity (Billions of dollars)

6. Are convergent models closer to the “efficiency frontier” than divergent models without sacrificing economic/human benefits?
Convergent
development models
“Efficiency frontier”
Life support systems/ Biodiversity
Divergent
development models
Human well-being/Economic Benefits

7. Or do convergent and divergent development models represent different ends of a trade-off?
Life support systems/ Biodiversity
Divergent
development models
Human well-being/Economic Benefits

8. 2. How does the developing world’s perspective on preferred development scenarios differ from that of the developed world?
Divergent model stems from patterns resulting from the green revolution. High-input agriculture. Urbanization. Conservation. U.S. model?
Convergent model keeps population dispersed in rural environments, low-input decentralized agriculture, slowed urbanization. Better model for Mexico?
Pressures of globalization vs. local community preferences?
Tropical vs. Temperate?

9. 3. Are convergent development models more sustainable than divergent development models?
E.g., Mexican coffee plantations
Important temporal dimension
high productivity in short term vs sustained long term productivity