4.1.1 Understandings and critiques of sustainability and sustainable development

study design: Unit 4 This area of study explores the contemporary state of environments in Australia and the importance of natural environments for individuals and society. Students examine the nature of sustainability and, using key indicators, evaluate the health of outdoor environments. They investigate current and potential impacts of damage to outdoor environments. Practical outdoor experiences enable students to further develop and apply their practical knowledge and skills for safe and sustainable interaction with outdoor environments.

Study design 4.1.1 Sustainability has become a wide ranging term, used in a variety of ways. Students should examine a number of definitions including the Brundtland Commission (1987) and more recent analyses of ecological footprints. Sustainable development - or ecologically sustainable development (ESD) - has received criticisms about both the purpose and consequences of the term, concerns over the vagueness and philosophical underpinnings of ESD, and claims that ESD is an oxymoron, and therefore a meaningless term. Students should examine some of thee criticisms and be able to justify their own positions on the nature and usefulness of the concept of sustainable development.

be able to… Identify definitions of sustainability and sustainable development Analyse the concept of sustainable development and the critiques surrounding it

Sustainability and sustainable development

Why is it hard to define? The term ‘sustainability’ is hard to define because it can be linked to an idea, a property of living systems, a manufacturing method or a way of life. We generally associate the term ‘sustainable’ with being environmentally friendly, renewable and green. Textbook pg. 231-232: Multiple definitions

Most definitions include… Living within the limits of what the environment can provide Understanding the many interconnections between economy, society and the environment The equal distribution of resources and opportunities

What does renewable mean? Renewable: A commodity or resource, such as solar energy or firewood, that is inexhaustible or replaceable by new growth. Non-renewable: A resource that does not renew itself at a sufficient rate for sustainable economic extraction in meaningful human timeframes.

Brundtland Commission 1987 In 1983, the Brundtland Commission took place in order for countries to come together to pursue sustainable development together. A report was released titled ‘Our Common Future’ Sustainable development was defined for the first time as… “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”

The way that the ‘Our Common Future’ report describes sustainable development as a “process in which… the exploitation of resources, the direction of investments, the orientation of technological development and institutional change … are all in harmony and enhance both current and future potential to meet human and needs and aspirations

Critiques of the term

What does ‘critique’ mean? To critique something is to analyse or assess it

Critiques of the term Vagueness of the term - The term is used too widely and has become meaningless - known as ‘greenwashing’ Contradiction of the term - sustainability is an oxymoron Sustainability too difficult to be measured Developing Nations are disadvantaged Cost - sustainable practices are generally expensive

Vagueness of the term ‘Sustainability’ is a term that is overused. The term is used in many things from government policies to cars, holidays, lifestyles and products. It has become a trend. “It’s come to be a squishy, feel-good catchall for doing the right thing” - Robert Engelmann Because of how easily, freely and often it is used, often without any accountability or understanding and consequence for the Earth’s resources; it can be deemed meaningless.

Greenwashing: Companies or organisations who spend more time and money claiming to be ‘sustainable’ as opposed to actually working on minimising their impact.

Contradiction/oxymoron Oxymoron: a figure of speech used when the subject contradicts itself. To be ‘sustainable’, any development would need to have no lasting impact on the environment. To develop is to advance, improve or expand. Therefore the Earth’s resources need to be used. Due to the Earth’s ever-expanding population, increasing amounts of resources are needed… is it truly possible for society to develop and be sustainable at the same time?

Measurement There is no universal measurement indictors or a criteria for measuring sustainability. Ecological footprints provide a basic understanding of our reliance on the Earth’s resources, yet don't provide solutions to any problems. How are we to measure the effectiveness of any sustainable developments without measuring tools?

Developing Nations Developing countries aren't able to adopt expensive new technologies Developing countries have larger emissions, not by choice. Their industry revolves around making sure that the needs of people are met e.g. food and shelter. They are unable to meet these needs, so how could it’s very difficult for them to focus on sustainable practices.

Cost Sustainable practices can be very expensive Solar panels, grey water systems, economical cars etc are all very costly. These can take years to pay themselves of (7 on average for solar panels). Cost