Economic, environmental and social sustainability: Sustainable Development - Jon Erik Dahlin

Summary

This lecture on Sustainable Development, led by Jon-Erik Dahlin, explores the interconnected aspects of economic, environmental, and social sustainability. It emphasizes how these dimensions must be balanced to ensure long-term, stable development. The lecture covers key concepts like the 'three pillars' model, the Venn-diagram, planetary boundaries, and social challenges. Dahlin highlights how global environmental problems and social inequalities affect sustainable development, urging the need for compromises to address conflicting interests. The lecture also introduces models like the 'word cloud' and 'sustainability doughnut' to visualize sustainability concepts.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Sustainable development is a multidisciplinary concept, connecting economic, environmental, and social aspects.
• 📊 Different organizations focus on different aspects of sustainability based on their impact.
• 💬 A common definition of sustainable development is 'meeting the needs of the present without compromising future generations' ability to meet their needs.'
• 🏛️ Sustainable development is often represented as three pillars: Economic, Environmental, and Social sustainability, all interdependent.
• 💰 Economic sustainability focuses on creating value while considering local, national, and global factors.
• 🌿 Environmental sustainability involves using natural resources responsibly and protecting ecosystems.
• 👥 Social sustainability addresses human rights, equality, and well-being in society.
• ⚖️ The Venn diagram of sustainability highlights the overlap and conflicts between economic, social, and environmental dimensions.
• 🔄 Planetary boundaries define the limits within which humanity must operate to avoid irreversible environmental damage.
• 🍩 The sustainability doughnut model integrates social and environmental boundaries to create a 'safe and just space for humanity.'

Q & A

What is the common definition of sustainable development?

The most common definition of sustainable development is 'A sustainable development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.' This definition originates from the 1987 UN Brundtland Report.

What are the three main dimensions of sustainable development?

The three main dimensions of sustainable development are economic sustainability, environmental sustainability, and social sustainability. Each plays a vital role in ensuring that development can be maintained over time.

How do organizations or individuals perceive the concept of sustainable development differently?

Different organizations and individuals focus on different aspects of sustainable development depending on their priorities and how sustainability issues affect them. For example, some might focus more on environmental concerns, while others emphasize economic or social aspects.

What is the 'word cloud' concept mentioned in the transcript?

A 'word cloud' is a visual representation of words associated with a particular concept. Words that are mentioned more frequently are displayed in a larger font. In the context of sustainable development, terms like 'environment' and 'economy' often appear prominently.

What is meant by 'economic sustainability'?

Economic sustainability refers to a development model where production and services in society do not consume more value than they create. It ensures that economic activities are viable in the long run, and also considers national and global factors like job creation, economic equality, and internalizing environmental costs.

What is 'environmental sustainability'?

Environmental sustainability involves using natural resources in a way that does not deplete them and ensuring that production does not exceed the planet’s ecological carrying capacity. It focuses on preserving ecosystems and maintaining their ability to function over time.

What is 'social sustainability'?

Social sustainability refers to building a stable and dynamic society that meets human needs such as human rights, freedom, security, and equality. It also includes addressing health, work environment, and social justice issues, ensuring long-term social stability.

What is the significance of the Venn diagram model in sustainable development?

The Venn diagram model shows how the three dimensions of sustainability (economic, environmental, and social) overlap, emphasizing that these aspects are interconnected. This model helps identify areas of conflict and cooperation between different sustainability goals.

What are 'planetary boundaries' as described in the transcript?

Planetary boundaries refer to the physical limits of Earth’s systems, beyond which global systems may collapse or flip. The concept, developed by the Stockholm Resilience Centre, identifies nine planetary boundaries, three of which—climate change, nitrogen cycle disruption, and biodiversity loss—are already beyond safe operating limits.

What is the 'sustainability doughnut' model?

The 'sustainability doughnut' model combines planetary boundaries with social boundaries to define a 'safe and just space for humanity.' This model highlights both global environmental and social challenges, focusing on ensuring a balanced, sustainable development for the planet and its inhabitants.