Wheeler (2004) offers a number of definitions within his readings for sustainability that focused upon a number of specific sub-areas. His own personal definition of sustainability was, “development that improves the long-term health of human and ecological systems” (p. 24). A classification that would be effective in the forum of policy making would need to focus on the impact that sustainability would have on the current community as well as the impact on future generations. It would be important to consider all aspects of community when defining sustainability for policy making, as policy makers are a representation of the communities/towns/cities that they serve. A definition that was noted within Wheeler’s readings that would be effective to meet this goal was authored by the Brundtland Commission (1987), “Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (p. 24). This definition would encompass the prospective goal of a policy maker and thereby preserve the needs of the community as a whole.
2. What are the difficulties associated with making sustainability a policy goal?
The difficulties that are associated with making sustainability as a goal revolves around what constituents perceive as the current impending needs of the time. It takes a great degree of skill for policy makers to educate the public of the need to implement sustainability within their communities. Wheeler notes the importance of planners aligning with the government in order to facilitate change. Planners can serve as an aide to policy makers and encourage legislation and public participation in achieving and obtaining set goals. Citizens may have some resistance in supporting sustainability goals that do not have immediate advantages; therefore it is important to unify policy makers and citizens to elicit their participation into the process. Goodnow (1995) states, public choice governs the rate at which society elects to approach environmental sustainability voluntarily and purposefully, or, as at present to recede from it” (p. 20). Wheeler (2004) states, “Plans are only effective if they are implemented, inspire action, or otherwise help bring about changes in the world. Whether this happens depends in large part on whether those with power buy into the planning processes, learn new ways of looking at the world, or come to see their own interests as dependent on change” (p. 51). Thus, the goal is obtainable, but will take the involvement of citizens and various sectors of government.
3. If you had to design a practical framework to help a state environmental agency (e.g. Arizona Department of Environmental Quality) achieve ecological, economic and social sustainability, what would the framework look like? For example, how would you include citizens? How would you include experts? Which experts would you include?
In order to obtain a practical framework for a state environmental agency, it would be necessary to include the involvement of government officials, citizens and experts within the field. This principle is built upon the planning process addressed by Wheeler (2004) when noting how to formulate a team composed of a variety of participants. In order to begin the process, it would be necessary to ensure that citizen support is maintained; citizens could serve as board members and as those who are influential in propelling the grassroots component of various projects. The government would be influential in recruiting experts within the field to assist in research projects and designs to further scientific understanding of sustainability and ways of practical implementation. It would also be necessary to evaluate the programs that have been set in place by other countries as a way to measure future effectiveness.
4. Voters and politicians often want short term results, but many argue that sustainable development calls for long-term policy plan. How do we take the long term view that sustainable development requires in this political environment?
Solow (1991) makes reference to the dual connection between environmental issues and sustainability stating, “The environment needs protection by public policy because each of us knows that by burdening the environment, by damaging it, we can profit and have some of the cost, perhaps most of the cost, borne by others. Sustainability is a problem precisely because each of us knows or realizes that we can profit at the expense of the future rather than at the expense of our cotemporaries and environment” (p. 183). Therefore it is necessary to take measures to preserve the environment, as there is a potential for abusing the current resources that are in place. Public policy and regulation is one measure to ensure that resources are well maintained and preserved for future generations. This requires policy makers and citizens to have a long term view in mind when evaluating the necessity for limits in the usage of resources. At times, it is difficult for the public to understand the implications of current actions if there has been no education nor attention brought to the subject matter. Thus it would be important to have an approach that considers the future. Wheeler (2004) states, “Must longer perspectives are needed that take into account human and ecological well being 50, 100, or 200 years from now – during future generations…” (p. 35). Thus, those who are policy makers and concerned citizens could aid in educating the public on assessing how current actions can lead to long term consequences.
2. What are the difficulties associated with making sustainability a policy goal?
The difficulties that are associated with making sustainability as a goal revolves around what constituents perceive as the current impending needs of the time. It takes a great degree of skill for policy makers to educate the public of the need to implement sustainability within their communities. Wheeler notes the importance of planners aligning with the government in order to facilitate change. Planners can serve as an aide to policy makers and encourage legislation and public participation in achieving and obtaining set goals. Citizens may have some resistance in supporting sustainability goals that do not have immediate advantages; therefore it is important to unify policy makers and citizens to elicit their participation into the process. Goodnow (1995) states, public choice governs the rate at which society elects to approach environmental sustainability voluntarily and purposefully, or, as at present to recede from it” (p. 20). Wheeler (2004) states, “Plans are only effective if they are implemented, inspire action, or otherwise help bring about changes in the world. Whether this happens depends in large part on whether those with power buy into the planning processes, learn new ways of looking at the world, or come to see their own interests as dependent on change” (p. 51). Thus, the goal is obtainable, but will take the involvement of citizens and various sectors of government.
3. If you had to design a practical framework to help a state environmental agency (e.g. Arizona Department of Environmental Quality) achieve ecological, economic and social sustainability, what would the framework look like? For example, how would you include citizens? How would you include experts? Which experts would you include?
In order to obtain a practical framework for a state environmental agency, it would be necessary to include the involvement of government officials, citizens and experts within the field. This principle is built upon the planning process addressed by Wheeler (2004) when noting how to formulate a team composed of a variety of participants. In order to begin the process, it would be necessary to ensure that citizen support is maintained; citizens could serve as board members and as those who are influential in propelling the grassroots component of various projects. The government would be influential in recruiting experts within the field to assist in research projects and designs to further scientific understanding of sustainability and ways of practical implementation. It would also be necessary to evaluate the programs that have been set in place by other countries as a way to measure future effectiveness.
4. Voters and politicians often want short term results, but many argue that sustainable development calls for long-term policy plan. How do we take the long term view that sustainable development requires in this political environment?
Solow (1991) makes reference to the dual connection between environmental issues and sustainability stating, “The environment needs protection by public policy because each of us knows that by burdening the environment, by damaging it, we can profit and have some of the cost, perhaps most of the cost, borne by others. Sustainability is a problem precisely because each of us knows or realizes that we can profit at the expense of the future rather than at the expense of our cotemporaries and environment” (p. 183). Therefore it is necessary to take measures to preserve the environment, as there is a potential for abusing the current resources that are in place. Public policy and regulation is one measure to ensure that resources are well maintained and preserved for future generations. This requires policy makers and citizens to have a long term view in mind when evaluating the necessity for limits in the usage of resources. At times, it is difficult for the public to understand the implications of current actions if there has been no education nor attention brought to the subject matter. Thus it would be important to have an approach that considers the future. Wheeler (2004) states, “Must longer perspectives are needed that take into account human and ecological well being 50, 100, or 200 years from now – during future generations…” (p. 35). Thus, those who are policy makers and concerned citizens could aid in educating the public on assessing how current actions can lead to long term consequences.
I enjoyed your response to your blog. I think you were right on with stating that one of the difficulties of implementing and developing environmental policy is that people want instantaneous improvement. We are a nation that values instant gratification. However, when developing sustainable goals you have to look at the long-term implications. But then you run into problems with that goal as well. No one can predict the future as you deal with the unpredictable – uncertainties of what the future will bring. I believe I read somewhere in the Wheeler reading that it is impossible to predict what will happen in 30 years with regards to environmental policy. You cannot predict the development of technology or what natural occurrences may transpire.
ReplyDeleteYour answer to the first question made me look back at last week's reading by Robert Solow. In his article "Sustainability: An Economist's Perspective," he states that "sustainability is about distributional equity...It is about the sharing of well-being between present people and future people" (Solow, 1991, p.182). This statement supports what you said about considering our impacts on future generations.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this principle and really liked the manner in which Solow addressed this issue. He goes on to explain the difficulties that arise from this mindset, including how to balance both investments (environmental protection for the future) and savings (taking care of people today). I agree with Solow that it is somewhat of a paradox to be highly concerned with the welfare of the future, when the welfare of the current population is struggling right now. This is a complicated issue, but one that is important. I believe no matter how complex, to the extent possible we should look into the future and consider the impacts our decisions will have on future generations.