Sustainability and Sustainable Development: A Systemic Approach
Sustainability
The industrial revolution sparked significant economic growth in developed countries and a global population surge. This resulted in dramatic environmental changes, leading to a major environmental crisis. The economic system continues to grow, often disregarding the global ecosystem and the risks this growth generates.
Concept 1: Carrying Capacity and Environmental Resistance
The carrying capacity of an ecosystem refers to its ability to sustain a population of a species. It’s measured by the maximum number of individuals (K) that can be supported by an ecosystem or region. As a population grows, environmental resistance limits this growth. This resistance stems from various factors, including mineral resources, competition, and diseases. The Gross Primary Production (GPP) – the organic material synthesized by producers (plants) through photosynthesis – is a crucial factor in enabling and limiting growth. The Net Primary Production (NPP), the organic matter available to heterotrophs, is the primary limiting factor for animal population growth. The overall loading capacity refers to an ecosystem’s ability to sustain life for all species, not just one.
Humans possess the unique ability to minimize environmental resistance through agriculture, livestock management, and healthcare advancements, leading to population increases. Furthermore, humans utilize endosomatic energy, meaning a region’s capacity to support human settlements depends not only on crop production and water availability but also on resources like energy and minerals, and the land’s resilience to absorb shocks. This is referred to as human carrying capacity.
The impact of a population on a territory depends on its density. In the case of humans, impact also depends on individual behavior.
Per capita environmental impact = NUMBER OF RESOURCES / PERSON X AMOUNT DEGRADATION / PERSON
The ecological footprint measures the productive land or sea area (ha) required to produce resources and assimilate waste, including vegetation needed to absorb CO2. The global average footprint is 2.3 hectares/capita, exceeding the planet’s carrying capacity of 2.1 ha/inhabitant.
ECOLOGICALLY ECONOMIC BALANCE = PRODUCTION-AREA LAND POPULATION ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT X
A positive balance indicates an ecological deficit, where a country consumes beyond its capacity and relies on resources from other regions.
Concept of Sustainability
Sustainability refers to the viability of the interaction between the socio-economic system and the natural environment. This interaction should result in the evolution of the socio-economic system while preserving the ecosystem’s carrying capacity and overall capacity to provide resources and absorb human waste. As the socio-economic system extracts resources and expels waste, the ecosystem undergoes changes that affect the socio-economic system, requiring adjustments in its organization. Both systems evolve over time:
Evolution of the Socio-economic System:
- Quantitative Growth (population, infrastructure, services)
- Qualitative Growth (improved quality of life without population increase)
- Regression Phase (if the relationship with the environment becomes unsustainable)
Evolution of the Ecosystem:
- Succession: The ecosystem grows, increasing species and interactions.
- Stability/Climax: Maximum system complexity.
- Regression: Occurs when there’s an impact or disturbance, lowering carrying capacity.
Operational Principles of Sustainability
- Principle of Sustainable Harvesting (Renewable Resources): The rate of harvesting should be equal to or less than the rate of renewal.
- Principle of Sustainable Resource Depletion (Non-Renewable Resources): Use is quasi-sustainable when the depletion rate equals the creation rate of renewable substitutes. For reusable non-renewable resources, quasi-sustainable use involves compensating for the discharge rate through recycling or reuse.
- Principle of Sustainable Emission (Biodegradable Waste): The emission rate should be equal to or less than the ecosystem’s natural assimilation capacity.
- Principle of Zero Emissions (Non-Biodegradable Waste): This type of pollution should be avoided.
- Principle of Sustainable Integration: Human settlements and activities should be integrated into the natural environment without exceeding its carrying capacity.
- Principle of Sustainable Technology Selection: Favor technologies that promote efficiency in transportation, energy use, and waste treatment.
- Precautionary Principle: Consume less than the limits set by the biosphere and ecosystems to avoid stressing them and anticipate potential negative effects.
Environment and Sustainable Development
Sustainable development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Mechanistic Environmental Vision
Traditional economic systems often viewed themselves as isolated from their environment. This perspective shifted with growing awareness of environmental issues. The “U-curve” concept suggests that environmental quality initially deteriorates with economic and population growth but improves as living standards rise. This view often assumes that technology can solve environmental problems and that natural functions are replaceable. This mechanistic philosophy treats the environment like a machine, where parts can be replaced if they break down. It also attempts to place a monetary value on the environment.
Concept of Environmental Systems
UNESCO defines an environmental system as a complex of physical, chemical, biological, and social components interacting in ways that can have direct and indirect effects on living organisms. This systemic approach recognizes that human societies are embedded within and dependent on ecosystems. There’s a constant interaction: socio-economic systems extract resources and expel waste, leading to resource depletion and environmental impacts that can negatively affect societies (induced risks). Human and economic assets are also vulnerable to natural hazards.
Science and technology cannot fully replace the functions of the natural environment; they are complementary. Both are necessary for human societies to thrive. The solution lies in curbing growth and stabilizing production and consumption to preserve natural capital and minimize environmental problems. From a systemic perspective, the environment should not be valued solely in monetary terms.
Ecological, Economic, and Social Sustainability
The integration of ecological, economic, and social considerations has led to the concept of three types of sustainability: ecological, economic, and social. Ecological sustainability focuses on conserving natural capital, while economic sustainability aims to maintain productive capital. Social sustainability emphasizes human capital and equitable wealth distribution. While achieving all three simultaneously can be challenging, practical actions should strive for a balance. Sustainable projects should adhere to the operating principles of ecological sustainability, be cost-effective, and promote human well-being and wealth redistribution.
Environmental Management from the Perspective of Environmental Sustainability
Achieving true sustainability may require curbing and reducing growth, which is difficult in the current economic climate. While economic growth remains a dominant focus, governments are also attempting to mitigate its consequences through regulations on settlements and productive activities. Environmental management measures are being implemented to regulate human activities in ways that allow natural systems to continue functioning as a support system for activities, a resource provider, a waste sink, and a basis for risk planning.