Defining Sustainability

1. Of all the definitions listed for sustainable development I think the best is Wheeler’s, ““Sustainable development is development that improves the long-term health of human and ecological systems”. This definition takes into account economic sustainability, environmental sustainability and social sustainability. The social and economic factors are covered under the “human system health”. Humans should be successful both socially and economically to be considered healthy. Environmental sustainability is accounted for under “ecological system health”. This definition also considers the necessity of long term planning. It is our short term tunnel vision that has led us to the current environmental situation we are in. Perhaps simultaneously a strength and a weakness, this definition is quite general and does not provide any sort of framework for sustainable development. This makes the definition most useful as a filter when creating policy. If a policy “improves the long-term health of human and ecological systems” than it is considered sustainable. This definition does assume that we would not be creating policy that would be overly detrimental to ourselves in the short term. Although, that is not to say that a policy might not require some sort of sacrifice or change in behavior in the short term.

2. There are many difficulties associated with making sustainability a policy goal. Perhaps most blaringly is the lack of an agreed definition of sustainability. An economist might have an entirely different view of sustainability than an environmentalist and while sustainability might be a goal of both they may end up working against each other.

Sustainability also calls for major changes, both institutionally as well as in our general outlook. While sustainability has certainly become a buzzword, a change in outlook will have really occurred when we see more people willing to walk to a local business and possibly pay a little more rather than get in their cars and drive 10 miles to a big box store to pay the cheapest price. We will see this when people are really able to take the concept to heart and assume a greater responsibility for the choices we make. Institutionally we will need to change a great many things which might be unpopular politically, such as refusing subsidies to farmers using unsustainable practices. These changes are going to be difficult and the responsibility to make these changes rests evenly on citizens and public administrators. It is difficult to make sustainability a policy goal if these hard changes are seen as unpopular. As politicians are elected for a set term they are often considering what they need to do in the short term to get re-elected. If we can make long term sustainability a priority and pass this concern onto our elected officials then sustainability can become a realistic policy goal.

3. There are many factors to consider when designing a practical framework for an environmental agency to achieve economic, social and ecological sustainability. I think the best way to do this is to base the framework on public participation. An environmental agency should on the whole be composed of environmental experts so this leaves the involvement of stakeholders interested in economic and social sustainability. Fostering a strong public participation program that will include as many citizens as possible will help to ensure social sustainability. Civil society will be encouraged to flourish and participate in the policy development. This public participation will have the dual effect of increasing the effectiveness of the agency as well as encouraging social sustainability. In a large city like Phoenix, involving economic experts could be achieved by creating a panel. The panel could be composed of local economic experts. As policies are developed they can be put before the panel for their opinions and feedback. This framework will ensure that consideration is given to ecological, economic and social sustainability. As should be the case it should be up to the agency to decide the final policy. But by consciously and thoroughly involving the public and creating an economic panel many voices will be heard which should improve the final policy.

4. Attaining a long term view that sustainable development requires will necessitate deep seated changes at many different levels. Most importantly, a long term view will require changes in values. Politicians must shift their focus from the next election to the long term good of their constituents. But in order to elect these values based politicians in the first place citizens must undertake a dramatic change in values as well. We must not look only to our current financial situation but also to the long term health of our economy and our environment. As Goodland said we don’t have time to “grow” into sustainability. If we are going to move to a long term view of sustainability we might need to sacrifice some things in the short term to achieve this goal.

I believe that in order for this to happen we must deliberately foster a growth in civil society. As civil society has dwindled so has our sense of community. We all look out for ourselves without feeling any sense of responsibility toward the underprivileged or towards future generations. I think the decline of the civil society has also led to politicians who do not feel liable to their constituents and thus act only with their self interest in mind. When people are not active in their communities there is no one to challenge politicians when they act in a shortsighted, selfish manner. But if as a society we can grow our sense of community and change the roots of our values we will make headway in adopting a long term view of sustainable development.