1. Sustainability is about being flexible not about being right.
Sustainability * Term encapsulates important tension * It suggests “staying the same.” * But we don’t want to sustain “the status quo.” * We want to pursue a new way of thinking about sustainability that includes change and dynamism.
Assumptions
Relevant Elements
Addresses human needs
We are not living sustainably
Implies Change for better
Greater Good (who decides?)
Systems are dynamic and characterized by uncertainty
Technological Optimism/Unknown Consequences
Temporal / Spatial Extent
Social Justice
Institutions that learn/reflexive
Value judgments
Creativity
Expanding options/opportunities
We need to overcome human vs. nature dichotomy.
Sustainability is about being flexible not about being right.