GEOG 203 Lecture Notes - Lecture 13: Social Sustainability, United Nations Environment Programme, Our Common Future
23 May 2018
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(About) SUSTAINABILITY
Notes by Pierre Deslauriers, Ph.D.
(Synthesis from various sources/readings
SUSTAINABILITY refers to the ability of an ecosystem to maintain ecological processes and
functions, biodiversity, and productivity over time.
- Implicit to sustainability is an agreement that people must learn how to sustain
environmental resources so that they continue to provide benefits to us, other living
things, and the larger environment of which they are part
A MORE EXTENSIVE DEFINITION: sustainability (is) the doctrine that economic growth and
development must take place, and be maintained over time, within the limits set by ecology in
the broadest sense – e.g. the interrelations of human beings and their works, the biosphere,
and the physical and chemical laws that govern it.
IMPLICIT HERE are basic concepts of carrying capacity (SEE further in this doc for definition)
and Ecological integrity
Ecological integrity may be defined as: a condition that is characteristic of a natural region and
likely to persist, including abiotic components and the composition and abundance of native
species and biological communities, rates of change and supporting processes
The notion of SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT spins off from the sustainability concept.
In the broadest sense, it is development without harming the environment,
BUT NARROWER CONDITIONS have been put forward to make development TRULY sustainable.
Following the World Conservation Strategy there should be:
- Sensitivity to long and short term alternatives
- Taking into account of social, economic and ecological factors (the three ``basic
dimensions`` of sustainability
- Inclusion of living and non living entities/resources
Furthermore, to work around what many perceive to be an ``in built contradiction`` (Oxymoron)
in the term sustainable development, it must be insured that there is long lasting improvement
(true ``development``) and not only growth a shot te iease … o ylial ``ups ad
downs``)
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Notes by pierre deslauriers, ph. d. (synthesis from various sources/readings. Sustainability refers to the ability of an ecosystem to maintain ecological processes and functions, biodiversity, and productivity over time. Implicit to sustainability is an agreement that people must learn how to sustain environmental resources so that they continue to provide benefits to us, other living things, and the larger environment of which they are part. Implicit here are basic concepts of carrying capacity (see further in this doc for definition) and ecological integrity. Ecological integrity may be defined as: a condition that is characteristic of a natural region and likely to persist, including abiotic components and the composition and abundance of native species and biological communities, rates of change and supporting processes. The notion of sustainable development spins off from the sustainability concept. In the broadest sense, it is development without harming the environment, But narrower conditions have been put forward to make development truly sustainable.
