Defining Sustainability: Absolutely | Anjila Hjalsted | TEDxGoodenoughCollege

Summary

The speaker addresses the overuse and vagueness of the term 'sustainable,' highlighting issues with focus and numbers in sustainability claims. They introduce the concept of 'absolute sustainability,' advocating for a quantifiable definition that measures environmental impact against a set 'allowance.' Using the planetary boundary framework and philosophical approaches, they propose a scientific method to determine if something is truly sustainable, urging a shift towards designing for absolute sustainability to safeguard future generations.

Takeaways

• 🌱 The term 'sustainable' is often used vaguely and can mean different things to different people, leading to confusion and misleading claims.
• 🌾 'Sustainable cotton' typically refers to organic cotton, which is beneficial for reducing pesticides but may have lower yields and higher carbon emissions.
• ☕ The comparison between cow milk and oat milk cappuccinos illustrates the 'numbers problem' in sustainability, where one may be more sustainable than the other but still not meet the ideal standard.
• 🔢 The concept of 'absolute sustainability' is introduced as a way to define sustainability in clear, quantifiable terms, rather than relative terms.
• 👶 The speaker's personal connection to sustainability is highlighted by becoming a parent, emphasizing the importance of considering future generations.
• 📈 The 'Brundtland definition' of sustainability from 1987 is mentioned, noting its age and the need for a more precise and quantifiable definition.
• 🌍 The 'planetary boundary framework' is introduced to provide numerical limits on the strain we can place on the Earth's resources before reaching disastrous levels.
• 🎂 An analogy of sharing a cake is used to explain the concept of determining an individual or society's 'share' of the Earth's resources.
• 🔄 The interdisciplinary approach of combining engineering, science, and philosophy is emphasized to create mathematical equations that can calculate sustainability.
• 🤔 The audience is encouraged to question the sustainability claims of products and services, pushing for a standard of 'absolute sustainability'.
• 💪 The speaker expresses optimism that humanity can achieve absolute sustainability, calling for radical changes in product, service, and policy design to meet this goal.

Q & A

What is the main issue with the term 'sustainable' as it is currently used?

The term 'sustainable' is often used vaguely and can mean different things to different people. This vagueness can lead to misleading claims and confusion about what truly constitutes sustainability.

What are the two main problems with the concept of sustainability as discussed in the script?

The two main problems are the 'focus problem' and the 'numbers problem'. The focus problem occurs when sustainability is addressed in only one aspect, ignoring other important factors. The numbers problem arises when something is labeled sustainable but is only slightly more sustainable than the alternative, without a clear standard for comparison.

What is the difference between sustainable cotton and organic cotton as mentioned in the script?

Sustainable cotton usually refers to organic cotton, which is grown without the use of synthetic chemicals, thus reducing pesticide use and toxic pollutants. However, organic cotton farming is often associated with lower yields, which can lead to increased water use, land use, and carbon emissions.

What is the 'Brundtland definition' of sustainability mentioned in the script?

The Brundtland definition of sustainability is a widely accepted concept that defines sustainability as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It was introduced in 1987.

What does the script suggest as a more accurate way to define sustainability?

The script suggests defining sustainability absolutely, by determining the allowable impact on the Earth and comparing it to the actual impact. This approach aims to solve both the focus and numbers problems by broadening the focus and providing a clear, quantifiable standard.

What is the concept of 'absolute sustainability' as proposed in the script?

Absolute sustainability is a concept where something is considered sustainable if it stays within its environmental allowance, meaning it does not exceed the limits set by the planetary boundary framework in various aspects such as climate change, water, and land use.

How does the script relate the idea of sharing a cake to understanding sustainability?

The script uses the cake analogy to explain the concept of sharing resources on Earth. To share a cake (or Earth's resources), one must know the size of the cake (the planetary boundaries), who wants to share it (current and future generations), and how to distribute it fairly.

What is the 'planetary boundary framework' mentioned in the script?

The planetary boundary framework is a set of guidelines that quantify the limits of how much we can strain the Earth's systems before causing irreversible damage. It provides numerical limits for factors like carbon emissions and freshwater use.

How does the script suggest we determine if something is absolutely sustainable?

The script suggests using mathematical equations derived from philosophical approaches to sharing, which can calculate an exact answer to whether something is sustainable in absolute terms. This involves comparing the environmental impact of an action or product to its allowable limit.

What is the main takeaway from the script regarding our approach to sustainability?

The main takeaway is that we need to be critical and question the sustainability claims made about products and services. We should strive for absolute sustainability, which requires not just being slightly better than the alternative, but staying within the environmental limits set by the planetary boundary framework.

How does the script encourage us to think about sustainability in the future?

The script encourages us to think about sustainability in terms of our responsibility to future generations. It emphasizes the importance of defining and achieving absolute sustainability to ensure a livable planet for our children and grandchildren.