What is Sustainability? Marian Brown

Summary

In this lecture, Marian Brown explores sustainability as a decision-making framework rather than a fixed endpoint. Tracing its historical roots from the Middle Ages’ commons and the Iroquois Seventh Generation philosophy to the modern Brundtland Commission definition, she emphasizes balancing environmental, social, and economic impacts. Brown highlights the importance of considering people, the planet, and financial outcomes in every choice, applying the precautionary principle, and aiming for continuous improvement. Using examples like fair-trade coffee and lessons from Hurricane Katrina, she demonstrates how mindful decisions, both small and large, contribute to a more sustainable world, encouraging a lifelong approach to thoughtful action.

Takeaways

• 😀 Sustainability is a continuous decision-making framework, not an end goal. It involves ongoing improvements over time.
• 🌱 The concept of sustainability dates back to medieval times with the 'commons' in English common law, where shared resources like air and forests were considered wealth accessible to everyone.
• 🌀 The Iroquois Confederacy's Seventh Generation Philosophy emphasizes making decisions based on their impact on seven generations into the future.
• 🌍 The UN's Brundtland Commission (1987) defined sustainable development as meeting present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet theirs.
• 💡 Sustainability is often represented by the 'Triple Bottom Line'—People, Planet, and Profit—but this can sometimes limit decision-making by implying it only exists in the overlapping area of all three.
• 🌎 Some argue that the environment should have primacy in sustainability, with the economy as a 'subsidiary' to a healthy environment, as suggested by Earth Day founder Senator Gaylord Nelson.
• 🌪️ Events like Hurricane Katrina highlighted the long-term consequences of unsustainable environmental development and its impacts on society and economy.
• 🤔 Sustainability is a 'how,' not a 'what'—it's a way of making decisions that consider the human, environmental, and economic impacts of every choice.
• 🔄 Key decisions in daily life, like purchasing choices, should be guided by a sustainability decision-making framework that considers people, the environment, and economics.
• ⚖️ The precautionary principle advises avoiding decisions that could negatively impact human health or the environment, even when complete information is unavailable.
• 💪 Sustainability encourages continuous improvement. With each decision, we strive to make better, more sustainable choices, creating positive global impact over time.

Q & A

What historical examples were used to explain early concepts of sustainability?

The speaker referenced English common law in the Middle Ages, which considered the commons—such as air, oceans, forests, and fisheries—as shared resources. Additionally, the Iroquois Confederacy's Seventh Generation philosophy encouraged chiefs to consider the impact of decisions on the seventh generation of descendants.

How did the Brundtland Commission define sustainable development?

The 1987 Brundtland Commission defined sustainable development as development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

What are the three main components often used in sustainability frameworks?

Sustainability is commonly represented through three overlapping components: People (social needs), Planet (environmental needs), and Profit (economic needs). These are also referred to as social, natural, and financial capital.

Why does the speaker criticize the traditional Venn diagram representation of sustainability?

The traditional Venn diagram, showing only the overlap of people, planet, and profit, can give a misleading impression that sustainability exists only in a very narrow intersection. This may stifle decision-making and discourage broader sustainable choices.

What argument is made for giving the environment primacy in sustainability decision-making?

The speaker argues that a functioning environment is essential for a functioning society and economy. Without environmental health, social and economic systems cannot operate effectively, as illustrated by the devastating impacts of hurricanes Katrina and Rita on New Orleans due to loss of natural marshland buffers.

How does the speaker define sustainability in practical terms?

Sustainability is described as a decision-making framework focused on continuous improvement. It involves evaluating the impacts of decisions on people, the environment, and finances, and striving to make more informed and balanced choices over time.

What are the three questions recommended for evaluating a decision’s sustainability?

Before making a decision, ask: 1) How will this impact people? 2) How will this impact the environment? 3) How will this impact finances or business outcomes?

What is the precautionary principle, and how does it guide sustainability decisions?

The precautionary principle advises avoiding actions that could have severe negative effects on human health or the environment. It promotes careful consideration and prevention of harm before taking action.

Why does the speaker emphasize 'more sustainable' rather than 'sustainable' decisions?

Because sustainability is a continuous improvement process with no fixed endpoint. Decisions can always be refined and improved as more information and options become available, making it more realistic to focus on achieving increasingly sustainable outcomes.

How can everyday decisions, such as buying coffee, illustrate the principles of sustainability?

Choosing Fair Trade or certified organic coffee can positively impact farmers' livelihoods and encourage environmentally sustainable practices. Even small individual decisions can have broader social, environmental, and economic impacts.

What overarching mindset does the speaker recommend for approaching sustainability?

The speaker encourages a mindful, deliberate approach to daily decisions, consistently evaluating human, environmental, and economic impacts, acting on informed choices, and continuously improving over time.