Re: What makes Sustainability Science Unique?

mohanmunas — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 05:53:00 GMT

Great start defining SS. I missed the meeting, but here is some belated input. At the 1992 Rio Eart Summit, I presented a holistic framework for making development more sustainable, called SUSTAINOMICS -- the basic principles are very consonant with the concepts of SS. It is taught in several universities and practiced worldwide.

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The sustainomics framework draws on the following basic principles and methods (Munasinghe 1992a, 1994, 2002a, 2007) -- for details, see:

http://www.eoearth.org/article/Sustainomics_and_sustainable_development

(a) Making development more sustainable (MDMS)

The step-by-step approach of “making development more sustainable” (MDMS) becomes the prime objective, while sustainable development is defined as a process (rather than an end point). Since the precise definition of sustainable development remains an elusive and perhaps unreachable goal, a less ambitious strategy that merely seeks to make development more sustainable does offer greater promise. Such a gradient-based method is more practical and permits us to address urgent priorities without delay, because many unsustainable activities are easier to recognize and eliminate. Although MDMS is incremental, it does not imply any limitation in scope (e.g., restricted time horizon or geographic area – see item (c) below). MDMS also seeks to keep future options open and identify robust strategies which meet multiple contingencies and increase resilience. Thus, while implementing short and medium term measures, we also follow a parallel track by continuing efforts to better define and achieve the long term goal of sustainable development.

(b) Sustainable development triangle and balanced viewpoint

Sustainable development requires balanced and integrated analysis from three main perspectives: social, economic and environmental. Each view corresponds to a domain (and system) that has its own distinct driving forces and objectives. The economy is geared towards improving human welfare, primarily through increases in the consumption of goods and services. The environmental domain focuses on protection of the integrity and resilience of ecological systems. The social domain emphasizes the enrichment of human relationships and achievement of individual and group aspirations. Interactions among domains are also important.

(c) Transcending conventional boundaries for better integration

The analysis transcends conventional boundaries imposed by discipline, space, time, stakeholder viewpoints, and operationality. The scope is broadened and extended in all domains, to ensure a comprehensive view. Trans-disciplinary analysis must cover economics, social science and ecology, as well as many other disciplines. Spatial analysis must range from the global to the very local, while the time horizon may extend to decades or centuries. Participation of all stakeholders (including government, private sector and civil society) through inclusion, empowerment and consultation, is important. The analysis needs to encompass the full operational cycle from data gathering to practical policy implementation and monitoring of outcomes.

(d) Full cycle application of practical and innovative analytical tools

A variety of practical and novel analytical tools facilitate governance over the full cycle from initial data gathering to ultimate policy implementation and feedback.

What makes Sustainability Science Unique?

Sarah Banas — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:07:18 GMT

At the 2009 Forum for Sustainability Science Programs in Chicago, one of the discussion threads included what differentiates sustainability science from established fields such as, say environmental science or industrial ecology. Comments included:

SS is about the methodology of thinking rather than didactic rote.
SS is based on content drawn from real situations in which choices are constrained.
SS looks at history of UN development conventions [Brundtland, Rio, Status of Women] and provides a framework for connecting them all.
Suggestions for litmus test for determining whether a course is/is not SS:
- SS focuses on both environment and development (not limited to developing countries)
- SS focuses on human-environment interactions
- SS includes moving knowledge into action
Many in SS focus too much on environment, not enough on economy; SS includes rethinking what economy is
SS must consider both global scale and human scale, not just one or the other.

What do you think?

Roundtable for University-based Sust Sci Programs

Re: What makes Sustainability Science Unique?

What makes Sustainability Science Unique?