Sustainability and Environmental Management: A Systemic Approach
Sustainability
The industrial revolution initiated a period of substantial economic growth in developed nations and a global population surge. This led to significant environmental changes, culminating in a major environmental crisis. The economic system has expanded and persists, even at the risk of the global ecosystem and life itself.
Concept 1: Carrying Capacity of Ecosystems
Carrying capacity refers to an ecosystem’s ability to sustain a population of a particular species. It is determined by the maximum number of individuals (K) that an ecosystem or region can support. As a population grows, resistance factors limit this growth. This resistance stems from various factors, including mineral resources, competition, and diseases. The most crucial factor influencing growth is the Gross Primary Production (GPP) within an ecosystem. Producers (plants) synthesize organic material through photosynthesis. Net Primary Production (NPP), the organic matter accessible to heterotrophs, is the primary limiting factor for animal population growth.
Overall Carrying Capacity
Overall carrying capacity refers to an ecosystem’s ability to support not just one species but the entire ecological community. Humans possess the unique ability to mitigate environmental resistance through agriculture, livestock management, and healthcare advancements, thereby increasing their population. Additionally, humans utilize endosomatic energy, making the capacity of a region to sustain human settlements dependent not only on crop production and water availability but also on other resources like energy, minerals, and the land’s resilience to shocks. This is termed human carrying capacity.
Environmental Impact
The impact of a population on a territory depends on its density. In the case of humans, impact is also influenced by individual consumption patterns.
Per capita environmental impact = NUMBER OF RESOURCES / PERSON X AMOUNT DEGRADATION / PERSON
The ecological footprint, measured in hectares (ha), represents the productive land or sea area required to produce resources and assimilate waste, including the vegetation needed to absorb CO2 emissions. The global average ecological footprint is 2.3 ha/capita, while the planet’s carrying capacity is 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 carrying capacity and compensates by importing resources.
Concept of Sustainability
Sustainability refers to the viability of the interaction between a socio-economic system and an ecosystem (natural environment). This interaction should result in the evolution of the socio-economic system without compromising the carrying capacity of the ecosystem. As the socio-economic system extracts resources and disposes of waste into the ecosystem, it induces changes that affect both the ecosystem and the socio-economic system itself. Both systems evolve over time:
Evolution of Socio-economic System:
- Quantitative growth (population, infrastructure, services)
- Qualitative growth (improved quality of life)
- Regression (if the relationship with the environment becomes unsustainable)
Evolution of Ecosystem:
- Succession: the ecosystem grows in complexity (increasing species and interactions)
- Climax: maximum system complexity
- Regression: occurs with impacts or disturbances (reduced carrying capacity)
Operational Principles of Sustainability
- Principle of Sustainable Harvesting (Renewable Resources): The rate of resource extraction should be equal to or less than the rate of renewal.
- Principle of Sustainable Resource Use (Non-renewable Resources): For non-renewable but reusable resources, the rate of depletion should be offset by recycling or reuse.
- Principle of Sustainable Waste Disposal: The emission rate of biodegradable waste should not exceed the natural assimilation capacity of ecosystems.
- Principle of Zero Emissions (Non-biodegradable Waste): The release of non-biodegradable and toxic waste 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: Prioritize efficient technologies in areas like transportation, energy, and waste treatment.
- Precautionary Principle: Given the complexity of natural systems, consume less than the limits set by the biosphere to avoid stressing ecosystems.
Environment and Sustainable Development
Sustainable development meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Mechanistic Environmental Vision
Traditional economic systems often view themselves as isolated from the environment. This perspective has persisted until recently, with growing awareness of environmental issues. The”U-curv” hypothesis suggests that environmental quality initially deteriorates with economic and population growth but eventually improves as living standards rise. Proponents of this view believe that technology can solve environmental problems and that natural functions are replaceable. This mechanistic philosophy treats the environment as a machine, where parts can be substituted. It also promotes the monetary valuation of the environment.
Concept of Environmental Systems
UNESCO defines an environmental system as a complex of physical, chemical, biological, and social components that interact and produce direct and indirect effects on living organisms. This concept is systemic and relative. Human societies are systems embedded within and dependent on ecosystems. There is constant interaction: socio-economic systems extract resources and expel waste, leading to resource depletion and environmental impacts. Science and technology cannot fully replace the functions of the natural environment; they are complementary. Curbing growth and stabilizing production and consumption are crucial for preserving natural capital.
Ecological, Economic, and Social Sustainability
Sustainability encompasses ecological, economic, and social dimensions. Ecological sustainability focuses on conserving natural capital. Economic sustainability aims to maintain and enhance productive capital. Social sustainability strives for a more equitable distribution of resources and opportunities. While achieving sustainability in its entirety is challenging, practical actions should be directed towards this goal. Sustainable projects should integrate ecological, economic, and social considerations, adhering to the operating principles of ecological sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and social equity.
Environmental Management from the Perspective of Environmental Sustainability
To achieve true sustainability, growth (population or economic) will have to stop and reduce but not possible in today’s economy.Although follows the criteria of economic growth, states are also fighting the consequences of measures regulating it through settlements and productive activities. They are developing a series of environmental management measures to regulate human activities in ways that natural systems can continue to fulfill its functions of being a support of activities, resource and waste sink and risk planning.