There are many definitions in use for the word "sustainability".
This reflects the multiple perspectives in use.
We need improved language to discuss science and value questions such as this.
the nexus of science and value is policy
GDP example
economics has an advantage because we associate growth and economic development (good) with GDP (questionable linkage - but still true that we relate it)
public needs to equate that term with value to them
ecology/environmental science doesn't seem to have terms that are widely understood
"resilience"?
in Portland - "ecosystem services"?
Hedgehog and Foxes
hedgehogs know one thing, have one answer
in this case it's that sustainability is threatened by growth beyond our carrying capacity
over-consumption
Malthus, Ehrlich, I=PAT
foxes think that it's caused by many interacting factors including poverty and affluence
need to solve on a case-by-case basis
in both cases that problem is still that we need to use vocabulary that links to well established, common knowledge or theory
for example: we need to have a better way to describe moral relationships across generations
we can't just leave future generations of individuals to argue for them selves as rationalists would want
if we have no concept of how to include the future in the discussion, we are in trouble
Pre-experiential ideologies are inappropriate because they leave no room for learning.
We need an action-oriented approach to problems.
Leopold, Muir and Pinchot
Pinchot - utilitarianism
Muir - deep ecology or preservationism
Leopold didn't just compromise, he developed a method for testing contingent beliefs and learning
pragmatism - locates truth in a community process for addressing a problem
truth emerges from this open-ended process
NOT - where you start
relationship to natural selection as described by Darwin
natural selection (ability to deal with problems)
NOT JUST individuals who had superior competitive abilities
BUT FUNDAMENTALLY the process and situtations that set this up
for humans this includes culture and institutions
an ethic
an ecological ethic limits the freedom to act (i.e. limited rights to exploit)
a philosophical ethic is difference between social and anti-social behavior
there is no simple calculation that gives us the key for what's ethical (refering to Ehrlich or Malthus)
human culture needs to learn rapidly because our impact is accelerating
need to manage by the seat of our pants
truth is determined by the longevity of a culture or practice
ability to adapt to environmental change is crucial (one of features of Diamond's analysis of culture collapse)
we nee to adapt to quickly changing environment using the tools of management (not relying on science or technology) ESM
balance social goals through framing of problems to integrate science
Pragmatism is the habit of mind for guiding environmental thought.
to include experienced evidence
using an adaptive, experimental approach for all actions
examine the language we use to describe the environment
AND the language we use to describe how we describe the environment, i.e. metalanguage about the problems
the meaning of language emerges in the process of acting and managing
a good example of this process:
using a computer simulation model to capture the views and ideas about how a process works
see Walters 1986
people, working together, build meaning
