1. TREN 1F90 Introduction to Sustainability

2. http://www.brocku.ca/tren/ courses/tren3p18 These notes available via the online course outline at:

3. TREN 1F90 Introduction to Sustainability u u Definitions – –environment – –policy – –scale – –jurisdiction u u Defining Sustainable Development u u About Interdisciplinarity

4. Definitions, tools and frameworks

5. en·vi·ron·ment in-'vI-r&(n)-m&nt, -'vI(-&)r(n)- [n] 1 : the circumstances, objects, or conditions by which one is surrounded [n] 1 : the circumstances, objects, or conditions by which one is surrounded 2 a : the complex of physical, chemical, and biotic factors (as climate, soil, and living things) that act upon an organism or an ecological community and ultimately determine its form and survival b : the aggregate of social and cultural conditions that influence the life of an individual or community. 2 a : the complex of physical, chemical, and biotic factors (as climate, soil, and living things) that act upon an organism or an ecological community and ultimately determine its form and survival b : the aggregate of social and cultural conditions that influence the life of an individual or community. - Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, 2004

6. environment [n] the totality of surrounding conditions. [n] the totality of surrounding conditions.

7. environmental effects … are felt, and modified, in 3 main ways - through the flows of: … are felt, and modified, in 3 main ways - through the flows of: MATERIALS MATERIALS ENERGY ENERGY INFORMATION INFORMATION -> fundamental ‘spheres of influence’ for sustainability -> fundamental ‘spheres of influence’ for sustainability

8. policy … a course or general plan of action to be adopted by a government, party, person, etc. … a course or general plan of action to be adopted by a government, party, person, etc. - Concise Oxford Dictionary

9. policy …a selected, planned line of conduct in the light of which individual decisions are made and coordination achieved …a selected, planned line of conduct in the light of which individual decisions are made and coordination achieved - Webster’s Encyclopedic Dictionary

10. ENVI conceptual tools

11. scale - an ordered series of graduated quantities, values, degrees, etc. - relative magnitude - Webster’s Encyclopedic Dictionary

12. scale may be: - physical / geographical - physical / geographical –ranking based upon size, dimension, geographical subunit, etc. - ecological - ecological –individual, deme, community, population - jurisdictional - jurisdictional –local, municipal, regional, federal, global

13. scale earthcontinentcountryprovinceregionmunicipalityneighbourhoodhouseholdindividual United Nations..governments.. ngos / community groups. individuals individuals GLOBAL / MACRO LOCAL / MICRO spatial jurisdictional / decision making jurisdictional / decision making

14. jurisdiction - the legal power to administer and enforce the law - the exercising of this power - the region within which this power is valid or in which a person has authority - authority - Webster’s Encyclopedic Dictionary

15. Defining Sustainable Development

16. 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

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

18. the sustainable development triangle

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

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

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

22. 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

23. The ‘3 Es’ Model Ecology EconomyEquity

24. The Healthy Community Model SOCIETY ENVIRONMENT ECONOMY HEALTH

25. 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

26. 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

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

28. 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

29. 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

30. 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

31. 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

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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

35. 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

36. materials and energy

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

38. 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

39. information and decision making

40. 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.

41. ECONOMY ENV’T SOCIETY TRADITIONAL DECISION MAKING

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

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

44. SOCIETY ENVIRONMENT ECONOMY ECOSYSTEM-BASED DECISION MAKING PARTICIPATORY PARTICIPATORY INTEGRATED INTEGRATED ‘ECO-SYSTEMHEALTH’

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

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

47. decision making reactive reactive

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

49. decision making anticipatory anticipatory reactive reactive

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

51. decision making radical radical anticipatory anticipatory reactive reactive

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

53. decision making radical radical anticipatory anticipatory reactive reactive

54. 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

55. Northern Telecom u based in Canada u 42 plants in various countries u manufacturer of electronic components (telecommunications) u 1988: 1000+ tonnes of CFCs per year u 1992: 0 tonnes of CFCs used per year Historical example:

56. Original Process 1) raw components and grease 2) manufacturing and assembly process 3) clean off grease with CFCs 4) finished product

57. Revised process 1) raw components, no grease 2) manufacturing and assembly process 3) no need to clean off grease with CFCs 4) finished product

58. Environment AND Economy u $1 million to develop new process u $4 million savings in first year (no CFCs) u $50 million savings to year 2000 u international environmental prize -> great publicity u contract with Mexico for industrial innovation (very lucrative)

59. radical radical anticipatory anticipatory reactive reactive

60. radical radical anticipatory anticipatory reactive reactive Industry Industry

61. radical radical anticipatory anticipatory reactive reactive Industry Industry change in change in demand for product demand for product change in change in industrial process industrial process sewage sewage treatment treatment plant for wastes plant for wastes

62. radical radical anticipatory anticipatory reactive reactive Industry Industry change in change in demand for product demand for product change in change in industrial process industrial process sewage sewage treatment treatment plant for wastes plant for wastesBiodiversity apply landscape apply landscape ecology principles ecology principles to human activity to human activity establish national establish national parks (12%) parks (12%) to protect habitats to protect habitats zoo / seed bank for endangered species zoo / seed bank for endangered speciesTransportation

63. radical radical anticipatory anticipatory reactive reactive Industry Industry change in change in demand for product demand for product change in change in industrial process industrial process sewage sewage treatment treatment plant for wastes plant for wastesBiodiversity apply landscape apply landscape ecology principles ecology principles to human activity to human activity establish national establish national parks (12%) parks (12%) to protect habitats to protect habitats zoo / seed bank for endangered species zoo / seed bank for endangered speciesTransportation complete redesign of our cities complete redesign of our cities alternative alternative fuels for cars fuels for cars catalytic catalytic converters converters

64. valuesideologystrategies values, ideologies and strategies

65. interactions amongst values / ideologies / strategies values individual, cultural, social, spiritual, moral

66. interactions amongst values / ideologies / strategies values ideologies Definable sets of values constitute individual, cultural, social, spiritual, moral Short form summary of basic values that eliminates the need to engage in deep philosophical investigations every time action is required

67. interactions amongst values / ideologies / strategies values ideologies Definable sets of values constitute (e.g. Industrial Capitalism, Marxism, Christianity, Liberalism, Socialism, Conservatism, Judaism) individual, cultural, social, spiritual, moral

68. interactions amongst values / ideologies / strategies values ideologies strategies Definable sets of values constitute (e.g. Industrial Capitalism, Marxism, Christianity, Liberalism, Socialism, Conservatism, Judaism) …which give rise to practical applications of ideologically consistent ideas, actions, policies and programs individual, cultural, social, spiritual, moral

69. interactions amongst values / ideologies / strategies valuesideologystrategies

70. environmental values valuesideologystrategies holistic perspective holistic perspective everything is connected to everything else everything is connected to everything else parts can only be understood in the context parts can only be understood in the context of the whole of the whole nature as a living organism or system nature as a living organism or system (after Macdonald, D. 1991. The Politics of Pollution. McClelland and Stewart, Toronto: p.33) McClelland and Stewart, Toronto: p.33)

71. environmental values valuesideologystrategies humans living within nature humans living within nature -> inherent value of other organisms and inanimate objects inanimate objects limits to growth limits to growth (after Macdonald, D. 1991. The Politics of Pollution. McClelland and Stewart, Toronto: p.33) McClelland and Stewart, Toronto: p.33)

72. environmental values valuesideologystrategies appropriate technology appropriate technology matching the scope and scale of technology matching the scope and scale of technology to the task at hand to the task at hand principles of durability and efficiency principles of durability and efficiency recognition that new technology brings both recognition that new technology brings both benefits and problems benefits and problems

73. environmental values valuesideologystrategies appropriate scaleappropriate scale appropriate sizes for institutions, social appropriate sizes for institutions, social organizations, communities organizations, communities accessible and accountable decision-makingaccessible and accountable decision-making in public and private sectors in public and private sectors

74. interactions amongst values / ideologies / strategies valuesideologystrategies

75. environmental ideologies valuesideologystrategies technological optimism technological optimism sustainable development (Brundtland Commission) sustainable development (Brundtland Commission) social ecology (Murray Bookchin) social ecology (Murray Bookchin) deep ecology (Arne Naess) deep ecology (Arne Naess) ecofeminism (Françoise D’Eaubonne) ecofeminism (Françoise D’Eaubonne) various ‘green’ political parties various ‘green’ political parties many variants: e.g., alliances with socialism, feminism, peace movement, etc. examples of

76. interactions amongst values / ideologies / strategies valuesideologystrategies

77. reform environmentalism (traditional bureacracies and political action) reform environmentalism (traditional bureacracies and political action) direct action and intervention (e.g. Earth First!) direct action and intervention (e.g. Earth First!) single-issue lobbying / intervention groups (e.g., Save the Rouge Valley System) single-issue lobbying / intervention groups (e.g., Save the Rouge Valley System) permanent organizations (e.g., Greenpeace) permanent organizations (e.g., Greenpeace) alliances and coalitions (e.g., Canadian Coalition on Acid Rain) alliances and coalitions (e.g., Canadian Coalition on Acid Rain) round tables, forums (e.g., National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy) round tables, forums (e.g., National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy) environmental strategies and strategists

78. interactions amongst values / ideologies / strategies valuesideologystrategies

79. valuesideologystrategies feedback loop allows for reflection, feedback loop allows for reflection, re-evaluation, adaptive management re-evaluation, adaptive management

80. ideology interactions amongst values / ideologies / strategies valuesstrategies if no feedback loop: inflexible, unresponsive if no feedback loop: inflexible, unresponsive

81. ideology interactions amongst values / ideologies / strategies valuesstrategies dogma

82. valuesideologystrategies

83. Sustainability: How do we move from rhetoric to reality?

84. principles

85. principles policy

86. principles policy practice

87. To be useful, principles of sustainability must: u be easily understood u be applicable in many contexts u be transferrable across scales u translate well from fundamental values into applied policy and practical action u identify possibilities for radical transformative change AND positive incremental change positive incremental change

88. Some Principles of Sustainability in the literature: u Our Common Future (WCED 1987) u Principles defining sustainable development (OSEM 1989) u Defining a sustainable society (Robinson et al. 1990,1996) u Agenda 21 (1992) u Six principles of sustainable development (ORTEE 1992) u Guideposts for a sustainable future (Nickerson 1993) u Framework for Sustainable Development (CIDA 1994) u The Natural Step (Robert et al. 1994) u Sustainability Principles (ORTEE 1994), etc.

89. Recent compilation of Principles of Sustainability http://iisd1.iisd.ca/sd/principle.asp -IISD (Winnipeg) -IISD (Winnipeg)

90. Guideposts for Sustainability (after Nickerson, 1993) Activities are sustainable when they: 1.Use materials in continuous cycles. 2.Use continuously reliable sources of energy. 3.Encourage desirable human traits (equity; creativity; communication; coordination; appreciation; intellectual and spiritual development). One example:

91. Guideposts for Sustainability Activities are not sustainable when they: 4.Require continual inputs of non-renewable resources. 5.Use renewable resources faster than their rate of renewal. 6. Cause cumulative degradation of the environment. 7. Require resources in quantities that could never be available for people everywhere. 8. Lead to the extinction of other life forms.

92. About Interdisciplinarity

93. What do you answer if someone asks you, – – What is your major? – – What are your career goals? – – What is your ethnic origin?

94. career goals academic major ethnocultural identity Normativecategories

95. doctor lawyer police officer mechanic paramedic Normativecategories

96. literature psychology mathematics biology sociology Normativecategories “disciplines”

97. disciplinary disciplinary Multidisciplinary Interdisciplinary Transdisciplinary - what are the differences? Reference: Stefanovic, Ingrid. 1996. Interdisciplinarity and Wholeness: Lessons from Eco-Research. and Wholeness: Lessons from Eco-Research. Environments 23(3): 74-94. Environments 23(3): 74-94.

98. Disciplinary: u of or pertaining to a discrete branch of learning u knowledge within generally accepted boundaries

99. Disciplinary: u often associated with discipline-specific vocabularies, methods, and assumptions u Examples of disciplines: sociology, philosophy, biology, political science, chemistry, economics, geography, mathematics... sociology, philosophy, biology, political science, chemistry, economics, geography, mathematics...

100. Multidisciplinary: u standard disciplinary approaches are applied to a common research question, problem or issue u insights achieved through an approach which is essentially additive rather than integrative

101. Multidisciplinary: u a spontaneous coalescence of these disparate approaches is anticipated u arguably the approach which produces the most substantive research results

102. ISSUE

103. discipline discipline discipline discipline discipline discipline discipline discipline

104. Interdisciplinary: u the issue, problem, or concern defines the disciplinary expertise which is brought to bear …arguably the most effective policy- oriented problem-solving approach

105. Interdisciplinary: u a level of integration which involves more than an additive analysis of the disciplinary perspectives u insights are achieved through an approach which is explicitly integrative -> an a priori attempt is made at synthesis across disciplinary boundaries

106. ISSUE

108. disciplinediscipline discipline discipline discipline discipline discipline discipline

109. sector sector ISSUE sector sector

110. Transdisciplinary: u recognizes the interconnectedness of all aspects of reality and knowledge u Goal: distinctions amongst disciplines are eliminated completely

111. Transdisciplinary: u “an attempt to transcend the dynamics of a dialectical synthesis to grasp the total dynamics of reality as a whole” u Examples of transdisciplinary endeavour: –general systems theory –phenomenology

112. disciplinediscipline ISSUE discipline discipline discipline discipline discipline discipline discipline discipline discipline discipline discipline discipline discipline disciplinediscipline discipline discipline discipline discipline discipline discipline