CUC100 Discusses the Concepts of Sustainability

This journal article discusses the concepts of sustainability, systems and natural capital and outlines the three pillars of sustainability, the different challenges to sustainability and their responses and sustainability as a discipline. Sustainability in this article has been explained as the collection of processes or systems that can operate and maintain it for prolonged periods, and is based on a state of equilibrium and dynamics. System is defined as a set of interconnected elements functioning together in a way that the output of the entire system is more than the sum of its parts. It is proposed that systems are fundamentals to sustainability.

The characteristics of systems include minimal wastage of resources and energy, connected inputs and outputs between the components of a system, interdependence and interconnectedness within the system, diversity and constant exchange of energy. Sustainability is also been explained as a natural capital. The three pillars of sustainability have been identified as environment, economics and equity (Barkemeyer et al., 2014; Bessou et al., 2016).

Commentary:

            In order to achieve sustainable development targets it is therefore important to develop a sustainable system that involves multiple elements working interdependently on each other, with outputs from one system becomes the input of the next (Bessou et al., 2016). It should also be ensured that the sustainable system can maintain itself for long periods of time. Additionally, the components of the system should be so arranged that the output of the entire system should be more than the sum of each of the elements in the system.

Other aspects that can be ensured to maintain a sustainable system is the optimization of the energy and resource usage, minimal production of wastes and the elements of the system working synergistically with interconnectedness and interdependence (Liu et al., 2015). Furthermore, three important aspects should be focused to develop a sustainable environment, such as a positive environment, supportive economy and equity. Utilising these aspects can help to develop and maintain a self sustainable system (Bessou et al., 2016).

Journal Article 2 

Summary:

This journal article by Herremans and Reid (2002) discusses the use of sustainability triad as a framework of teaching sustainability in classrooms. Case study of a national park (Waterton Minicase) is used to show how the framework can be used to determine if the three dimensions of sustainability (economic, social and environmental) are in congruence or conflict. The study shows that sustainability can be maintained by focusing on Economic, Social and Environmental values (Strezov et al., 2017). The authors suggested that to reach a sustainable target in a society three important continuum needs to be focused on, such as a) self interest and community interest, b) human values and values for flora and fauna, c) short term and long term vision.

The authors proposed that analyzing the situation from a sustainability point of view can help to understand the underlying causes of unsustainibility and find solutions to them. This also involves the changing of the values in order to comprehend the causes of conflict or congruencies among the three dimensions (Charles et al., 2017).

Commentary:

            From the given journal article, it can be understood that sustainable triad (which involves economic, social and environmental dimensions) is important to understand and implement sustainable measures in the organization (Herremans & Reid, 2002). Such knowledge can be incorporated in order to provide focus on all these three dimensions. When the system has focus on economic, social and environmental benefits, it can help to give rise of a sustainable culture and change in values (Adomßent et al., 2014).

Furthermore, while incorporating sustainable developmental strategies, the paradigm between self and community interest, individual values and value for the environment (flora and fauna) as well as the paradigm of long term versus short term goals can help to achieve a sustainable development (Ouedraogo, 2017). Such ideas can be used to teach sustainability to the students, and also foster a sense of respect towards the environment, society and economy. Focusing on these dimensions can also help to promote overall growth and development through the growth of the economy, society and the environment (Aras & Crowther, 2016).

Journal Article 3 

Summary:

This journal article by Brueckner et al. (2013) discusses about the changes that took placed within the mining industries in Australia. The authors pointed out that the mining industries have been historically considered as environmentally disruptive; however the industries in Western Australia have shown significant responsible and sustainable business practices and has developed into an important economic resource for the nation (Marnika et al., 2015). Their studies also showed that the industry still faces significant social, economic and environmental issues and with the prospect of future growth in the organizations these aspects should be addressed to ensure a sustainable growth of the organization.

The authors discussed important points such as a) the economic benefits of mining in Western Australia b) impact of mining on the environment, c) Impact of the mining industry on the indigenous rights and d) impact of the mining operations on the local communities. The authors also discussed the path towards a sustainable future (Dashwood, 2014; Brueckner et al., 2013)

Commentary:

            The journal article provides several key insights into the challenges that are faced by the mining industry towards the development and maintenance of sustainable practices. It can be seen that for an industry such as a mining industry, which are mostly considered to be environmentally disruptive, sustainable development can be achieved through the focus on the triad of sustainability, that is., through focus on the economic, social and environmental dimensions of the processes (Dashwood, 2014).

This implies that the organization should thoroughly analyze the economic benefits of the process, impact of the process on the environment, on the rights of the indigenous people and also on the community. Such considerations can help to address the three triads of sustainability and thus identify any challenges associated with the creation and maintenance of sustainable developmental objectives throughout the organization (Marnika et al., 2015). Focusing on such dimensions can also help in the changing the values of the organization in a way that fosters sustainable development (Brueckner et al., 2013).

References

Adomßent, M., Fischer, D., Godemann, J., Herzig, C., Otte, I., Rieckmann, M., & Timm, J. (2014). Emerging areas in research on higher education for sustainable development–management education, sustainable consumption and perspectives from Central and Eastern Europe. Journal of Cleaner Production, 62, 1-7.

Aras, G., & Crowther, D. (2016). The durable corporation: Strategies for sustainable development. Routledge.

Barkemeyer, R., Holt, D., Preuss, L., & Tsang, S. (2014). What happened to the ‘development’in sustainable development? Business guidelines two decades after Brundtland. sustainable development, 22(1), 15-32.

Bessou, C., Biard, Y., Perret, S., & Basset-Mens, C. (2016). Methodological support for analysis and development of inclusive and sustainable value chains-Step 1: Mapping of the existing methods and operational tools for each of the three pillars of sustainable development, ie economic, environment and social.

Brueckner, M., Durey, A., Mayes, R., & Pforr, C. (2013). The mining boom and Western Australia’s changing landscape: Towards sustainability or business as usual?. Rural Society, 22(2), 111-124.

Charles Jr, O. H., Schmidheiny, S., & Watts, P. (2017). Walking the talk: The business case for sustainable development. Routledge.

Dashwood, H. S. (2014). Sustainable development and industry self-regulation: developments in the global mining sector. Business & Society, 53(4), 551-582.

Herremans, I. M., & Reid, R. E. (2002). Developing awareness of the sustainability concept. The Journal of Environmental Education, 34(1), 16-20.

Liu, J., Mooney, H., Hull, V., Davis, S. J., Gaskell, J., Hertel, T., ... & Li, S. (2015). Systems integration for global sustainability. Science, 347(6225), 1258832.

Marnika, E., Christodoulou, E., & Xenidis, A. (2015). Sustainable development indicators for mining sites in protected areas: tool development, ranking and scoring of potential environmental impacts and assessment of management scenarios. Journal of Cleaner Production, 101, 59-70.

Ouedraogo, N. S. (2017). Africa energy future: Alternative scenarios and their implications for sustainable development strategies. Energy Policy, 106, 457-471.

Strezov, V., Evans, A., & Evans, T. J. (2017). Assessment of the economic, social and environmental dimensions of the indicators for sustainable development. Sustainable Development, 25(3), 242-253.