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Tobbi Stewart
English 103-005
Mrs. Lamos
November 6th, 2011
Research Paper
Sustainability: The Weight of the World on Your Shoulders
Sustainability Introduced
What is this concept of sustainability and all the talk that accompanies such
an emerging current event? This generally is the reaction of the public worldwide in
response to questions concerning sustainability. The sustainability issue is
confusing to most people, and from this confusion misconceptions are born and
undulated out of control. So now, let’s look at sustainable development, and
suddenly contradictions are aroused that concern the perceived meaning of
development. When people think of development, they tend think of “purposeful
changes intended to improve the quality of human life.” The contradictions come
from the combination of the two words, “sustainable” and “development,” because
these changes often “degrade the natural environment as to threaten the very
improvements that were intended” (Withgott and Brennan). Any common college
dictionary defines sustainability as “the ability to maintain at a constant level or
rate,” or you could say it is the total capacity to endure with relation to space and
time. When we introduce the domain of ecology, the definition can be broadened to
conservation and ecological balance by avoiding complete depletion of natural
resources.

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As if it weren’t quite clear enough as of yet, the issue of sustainability (or for
that matter sustainable development) is largely
complex and easily one of the most debatable
topics of our generation. Whether the topic is
widely accepted or not, the challenges facing
“Mother Earth” and human habitation are
undeniably present; for the Earth is being plagued
with a carrying capacity crisis, which is simply her
ability to support habitation. The very matter at
hand and the vast extent of the problem will not
permit simple short-term solutions. Solutions like
this only apply increased pressures onto the entire system.
To better understand the multitude of scale and dimension, three major
components must be introduced into the equation of sustainability; these are
healthy environment, social justice, and economic growth components (see fig.1).
Gro Harlem Brundtland, who served as the Prime Minister of Norway for several
terms, brought these three components together as the major parameters to
sustainable development. Brundtland was asked to chair the World Commission on
Environment and Development, better known as the Brundtland Commission, to
establish a broad political concept of sustainable development. In 1987, her
commission published “Our Common Future,” a report that had extensively
investigated the very concerns of the need for global awareness. With the statement
“sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present
Figure1: Component of
Sustainable Development

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without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs,”
Brundtland set in motion a movement of action towards the improvement of the
three major components to equal one “Sustainable Society” (See fig.1). The standard
was then set to frontier a sustainable movement towards stewardship of out planet.
This notion of sustainable development is far from refining social
perceptions of the “what kind” of crisis are human beings facing living on Earth. It
would appear as though only scientists and researchers investigating the challenges
of Earth’s carrying capacity could really comprehend the issues of the need to
become a sustainable society. A perception shared by many researchers, including
(Sayer and Campbell) in their book titled The Science of Sustainable Development.
Generally speaking, the author’s state it plain and simple in the chapter Getting into
the System; “Science must improve the ability of the farmers, fishermen, and
foresters to sustain a flow of the diverse products and services that they depend
upon”. No better interpretation is warranted. Earth is far from not be able to
provide its inhabitants the necessary resources essential to life, provided mankind
embraces a new attitude towards stewardship. Many of the problems mankind faces
are human-induced, relating directly to how they have interacted with the
environment, consuming and disposing of resources as waste, as well as developing
and destroying fragile eco-systems so vital to the ecological services by which it
provides. In the defense of sustainable development, and the state of our world as
we can presently address, it would be far greater to be proactive and educate the
populations on how to lessen their individual ecological footprint than to have to

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react to a series of irreversible environmental problems that may threaten the very
existence of mankind.
The adverse effects of human habitation on Earth have been gaining more
speed within our generations’ lifetime than ever before. This can be quantifiably
proven with the many schools of research and scientific disciplines that investigate
these growing issues. One major problem being echoed out loud is the issue of
global warming, or climate change. These two are somewhat interchangeable, but
consequently different in factors that influence and manipulate them both to
change. Neither is theory of phenomenon, but a measurable factor witnessed every
day by merely observing the constant and inconsistent weather patterns. This is
why some researchers propose ideas such as “The Grand Challenges”, which issue
important answerable questions within a decade’s time. These answerable
statements include “Improvement of usefulness of forecast of future environmental
conditions and their consequences for people”, and “Determine how to anticipate,
avoid, and manage disruptive global environmental change” (Reid). This is
testament, at least from several standpoints that scientists and researchers
acknowledge that global climate changes do exist and solutions must be found.
This is just one area of concern, the consequences run so much deeper. Human
habitation hasn’t always been responsible for the climate change until more
recently; with the advent of technologies and the use of fossil fuels, the pressure on
the carrying capacity ramped up exponentially.

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A World In Crisis: Human Impacts
There are three main areas that embody the Earth’s ability to sustain life and
remain habitable for a very diverse set of organisms. These three areas relate to
environmental dimensions that are the most essential elements to life; without just
one of them, the biodiversity of the planet could very well parish. These essential
dimensions are the atmosphere, bodies of water, and the use of the land. Each
dimension currently faces a profusion of problems that threaten to withdraw the
very power and purpose they hold on the Earth. Within each of these dimensions
lies a complex set of challenges to correct or reverse damage that may take away
from the efficient use of these valuable services (See fig.2). The protection of these
environemntal dimensions would be our first line of defence in becoming proactive.
As we look at the atmosphere, we tend to see beautiful hues of blue, mixed
with puffy white clouds that seem to be endless. This environmental service
provides every human being
with the capacity to breath
oxygen, absorbs solar
radiation, protects the
Earth from meteorites,
keeps essential water and
nutrient cycles moving, and
moderates climate
(Withgott and Brennan).
Although great strides have been made by many powerful countries to protect the
Figure2: Graphic depiction of human impacts onEarth

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environment, there are still considerable issues that loom high above. These issues
mainly concern primary pollutants into the atmosphere such as carbon monoxide,
sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide to name a few (See fig. 2). Not all the outdoor air
pollutants are man-made; some are natural in nature such as volcanic eruptions,
forest fires, and dust storms. One of the major contributors’ that has been linked to
the global warming effect is the burning of fossil fuels (Withgott and Brennan).
Essentially, becoming more proactive in our energy uses, including the use of
alternate energies with lower or no emissions, could provide one solution to the
challenges of global warming.
Let us move the focus now to water, probably the most essential
environmental service available, although a strong argument can be made for air.
Water covers up to 71% of the Earth’s surface and is the vital resource unique to our
planet. Up to 97.5% of the water content of Earth is locked up in oceans, and 2.5%
devoted to fresh water systems. Of that 2.5%, 79% of water is locked up in ice caps
and glaciers, 20% is groundwater, and a mere 1% is considered surface fresh water.
Of that 1%, water can be broken down to lakes, soil moisture, atmospheric vapor,
and rivers. Water supplies every household with plumbing, water supplies all
disciplines of agriculture, and water supplies just about every industrial operation
on the planet (Withgott and Brennan). That’s a lot of water supply to be had; but
consider that most of the supply is coming from potable water (commonly
understood as clean, filtered, or treated water). And of that potable water, 99.9% is
coming from the 1% available surface fresh water. Considering that this 1% of
surface fresh water is unevenly distributed amongst the Earth, how can the issues of

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depletion and pollution (both point and non-point sources) continue without some
sort of justification to an end (See fig. 2)? The answer may lie within each individual
on the planet to be more aware of his or her own water use and become a proactive
member of the solution to conserve that small 1% of available fresh water.
Lastly, to consider the scope of the whole picture completely and understand
how all three environmental dimensions impact each other, we need to understand
land use, more specifically soil and agriculture. Soil is one of the most complex
systems here on Earth, teaming both with inert materials and biological activity. The
components that make up soil combine not only air and water, but also minerals and
biota, which blend to create profiles of horizons differing in a regional aspect
(Withgott and Brennan). Soil is the absolute key to food production and agriculture.
As a matter of fact, as mankind distanced themselves from hunter-gatherer lifestyles
to land cultivators, it was the soil exploration that early farmers found to be the
inviting factor for plant growth. It was this very discovery that helped the
population of mankind to begin a steady increase of growth. The ability to cultivate
land, grow and provide a steady amount of food was ideally the start of civilized
populations. But many centuries later, the land is degrading and slipping into a non-
usable state. Productive soil is slowly disappearing and the need to provide food is
exponentially rising. Erosion and pollution of soil are two of the main factors; here
within lie several factors why soil is being degraded (See fig. 2). Factors such as
chemical pollution, compaction, forest removal, overgrazing, drought, salinization,
climate change, depletion of water sources are all contributing to the loss of soils
(Withgott and Brennan). How can these problems be overcome in time to feed a

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world population soon to reach 7 billion? The best way to answer this very alerting
question again lies in the proactive mind frame of all land users. The challenge to be
better stewards of land use will echo from coast to coast on every continent, begging
us to educate and spread awareness.
With 7 billion mouths to feed, and an estimated 9 billion by the year 2050,
where does this leave the carrying capacity of Earth in the equation? How can we
sustain populations of this size with degradation of valuable soils for agriculture,
diminishing water supplies both in quantity and quality, and rapid consumption of
finite resources? Population growth has a very direct impact on the environment in
both an “ecological” sense and a consumption of “eco-system services” sense. To
make matters worse, most of the population spikes are coming from developing
countries, where poverty tends to worsen the depletion of eco-services. Within the
growth of population arises another abscessing concern, the rise of urbanization. “If
global urbanization continues the way it has, these problems will likely accelerate
explosively as humans become progressively more urban” (Wu). Would global
urbanization increase consumption within a localized eco-system, or would the rise
put pressure on the regional or even the global scale of consumption? It would be
easy to assume that the answer would be “yes”, considering the increase in global
population; however, the awareness and action of becoming proactive could help
balance the scales of both growing problems.
The scope of the problem struggles immensely because of the rate at which
growing populations are consuming natural resources. Most, if not all, are made
directly available by balanced and diversified eco-systems that in return provide life

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sustaining ecological services. Those consumables include water, food, energy, and
materials essential to life, with waste as the by-product of consumption. This waste
comes in many forms, most not very beneficial to keeping an eco-system healthy
and functioning properly. What most of society sees as maintaining lifestyles, really
equates as the driving force of human impacts to the environment. If we could just
see the links that we have with nature, some of the issues may not be as bad as they
have become. As echoed by (Diaz), eco-systems services are the vital links between
the two. (Diaz) also goes on to explain that not all eco-systems are the same and
require the same biodiversity, but they all have a common altering factor, social
actors. It is these choices of lifestyles and spending patterns, in combination with
social agendas of the actors that govern the rate at which consumption takes place.
Each consumable has its beneficial qualities, along with its negatively impacting
consequence from misuse or overuse (See fig.2). This could very well be the single
most important factor to change, or become a proactive goal.
Water for instance, which is closely tied to food production, can easily be
polluted and become unsustainable, leading us to draw supplies from underground
aquifers and major fresh waterways. The benefit is the ability to draw upon fresh
water systems for supply (presently speaking), the drawback being the depletion of
future water supplies and the reduction of the global water cycle. This alone can
affect the fragile balance of important eco-systems. For instance, a local eco-system
that offers its eco-services to a newly developing urban area could use up to 60% of
the eco-systems fresh water sources, and in return, contaminate the water system
by sewer and waste products (Wu). And this is just a glimpse into the problem.

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Then there is the use of renewable and non-renewable energy sources. With
energy concerns and consumption on the forefront of conservation efforts, the need
to explore alternative sources is the hotbed of most sustainable initiatives. The new
alternatives would be considered the benefit, but the depletion of fossil fuels and the
damage that has already been caused from their usage are the negative impacts. It’s
at this point we can become confused about the way we impact the problem.
Finally, we have materials, the types that are being used to produce and
manufacture goods and services for further consumption. The negative impact is
what’s known as dematerialization, which is the conversation of materials in a
linear path. Material consumption comprises the largest portion of generated
wasted and disposal. Waste and disposal provide no benefit at all to any system
unless the waste is returned into the consumption cycle by closing the linear path
into a recycle loop. The concept of a recycling loop along with the idea of reduce,
reuse, and the creation of “industrial metabolism” would be great components to
creating alternative energy sources (Withgott and Brennan). Isn’t that what our
planet needs more of, large efforts to be proactive with our waste products to
preserve the future of living on Earth? Weighing out the benefits and negative
impacts of consumption, the recently erected field of research that concerns
themselves with sustainability issues have created methods of measuring the
failures and successes of sustainable development.
Sustainability: A Standard to Measure Eco-Services
The measurement of sustainability denotes multiple methods in which
quantitative data can determine the necessary means of sustainable management

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needed in any given ecosystem, whether it is a diverse rainforest, or densely
populated urban area. These domains of measurements are best known as
indicators for change. There is a range of this scale, which presents indication when
change needs to occur, and to what extent change needs to be applied to a certain
set of concerns (See fig. 3). If the methods by which we measure sustainability are
made public and used to raise awareness, this could be our best tool to be proactive.
The main concern weighs heavily on the carrying capacity.
One very fundamental concept that is key to understanding the importance
for the need to act sustainably is the carrying capacity of Earth, which simply can be
defined as the capacity of the Earth to provide resources essential to the “quality of
life”, with limits upon a certain amount of inhabitants. This measurement is greatly
influenced by population growth and the levels in which the populations consume
resources. There are other ways to view carrying capacity, such as “tipping points”,
Figure3: Measuring Sustainable Development

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which is well defined by (Reid). The concept is to “confine the impacts of
unavoidable excursions of the system into dangerous ranges, we will have to
enhance resilience to change.” A very common goal is not to exceed “one planet”
consumption. The carrying capacity can be greatly influenced by the amount of
biodiversity within a given eco-system. Maybe great focus should be put on this
concept as a visible marker to mankind to be more alert and ready to find solutions.
The importance of biodiversity of any given ecosystem is equally relative to
the functionality of the ecosystems resilience and biocapacity, by which it impacts
the provisions of ecosystem services, essential to supporting life. As stated in an
extensive research project linking nature to the wellbeing on the quality of human
life, “The crucial role of biodiversity in the links between ecosystems and societies
has been repeatedly highlighted both as source of wellbeing and as a target of
human actions, but not all aspects of biodiversity are equally important to different
ecosystem services” (Diaz). What this highlights is the vital need to preserve the
biodiversity of all eco-systems, as they apply to every aspect of the functional use of
human need. As the preservation efforts grow, the eco-system services return to a
balanced system and provide stability in our effort to be sustainable.
Economical and Social Dimensions of Sustainability
Most likely the most important consideration on the actions that must be
performed to remain within the carrying capacity of the Earth is the consideration
of the economical dimensions of social and cultural agendas. One such dimension is
decoupling an economy, this allows for adequate growth of economical production
without detrimental pressures bestowed upon an environment that may negatively

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impact the ecosystem. This concept is a working model of reducing resource
intensity that is driven by key improvement platforms. This platform allows for
stable growth, without total degradation of essential ecosystems, or assuming that
nature is a commodity to trade. To further demonstrate the links to nature, the
Global Land Project proposed the “framework of operating at a finer level of
resolution through the links between different components of the social system
(social actor strategies) and the ecological system (FD components)” (Diaz).
Nature is vastly becoming known as a
commodity, assuming the same meaning as it
would in economics. When the commodity
becomes less available or scarce, the price
becomes higher and less attainable. Thus nature is
being thought of as an economic externality. This
driving force is largely responsible for the
misconception of endless available resources. The
supply and demand chain now determines how resources are managed and used,
which is providing a negative effect on resource use; when this happens, social
barriers begin to provide even more negative impacts. Perhaps this is where the
general population loses their perceptions of becoming proactive and saying “how
can I change what is happening to the planet.”
The social element of sustainability is going to be the biggest challenge when
it comes to adopting the changes needed for the future carrying capacity of the
Earth. The concept of stewardship of our land will be the majority embraced. This
Figure4: Sustainable Visual of Human
Wellbeing inRelation to Economical
and Social Dimension

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element is essential because it’s the key factor to manipulating human development.
Social norms and behaviors, along with cultural practices are all at stake, which
could ultimately determine the overall outcomes of entire civilizations. It is up to
these social systems to pave a new road to change for the better of mankind; it is up
to everyone to find a way to be a proactive proponent.
Within the perimeters of peace, security, and justice, the social system
exposes some very serious stresses upon the wellbeing of humans within their
environments with the provisions of ecosystem services. One of the most important
stresses put on an eco-system is poverty. The element of poverty alone adds a
tremendous amount of environmental pressures due to demand on localized
resources. According to the Brundtland Commission report “Our Common Future,”
“poverty is a major cause and effect of global environmental problems. It is
therefore futile to attempt to deal with environmental problems without a broader
perspective that encompasses the factors underlying world poverty and
international inequality” (Brundtland). Reducing poverty can be alleviated, but this
is on a much grander scale then our own proactivity will balance. The intervention
of government with real sensible solutions is highly important; but we all know how
difficult that can be with the political agenda’s taking priority.
The realm of the social element leaves much to speculate concerning public
opinion about the issues of environmental problems and carrying capacity. What
does the public think about sustainability, global warming, and climate change?
According to a 15-year study on “Public Views on Climate Change,” there is
“widespread awareness and concern about environmental issues and climate

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change” but is generally not as “important as social and personal issues.” The study
also exposed a “limited understanding” of climate change. This study was conducted
in the United States and in several European countries, and basically found that
perceptions did not vary much (Lorenzoni and Pidgeon). When the facts of such a
broad study indicate the importance bestowed upon worldwide problems “as less
important than social and personal issues,” we can almost absolutely understand
the capacity by which we should be embracing a proactive mindset. We should be
challenging each other to be more proactive towards heading off the problems
before it’s too late.
Concluding with Potential Solutions
The research conducted for this paper has presented many facts and reasons
for the state of our planet under the three major components that justify a global
agenda geared towards sustainability. The evidence presented has laid out a
foundation of sustainable dimensions that lend
themselves to a better understanding about
what is truly happening to our planet and how
it affects human habitation; also how humans
are connected to nature, and nature is tied to
the impacts of human consumption and waste.
This paper was written to educate the reader on
the very issue of sustainability and meant to provoke the thought of a world without
the provisions of ecological services, but a challenge had been issued concerning the
proactive nature of human problem solving. Currently, there are many associations
Figure5: Ecological FootprintGraphic

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and organizations taking action and creating solutions to the problems our world
faces now and well into our future. There are multiple disciplines coming together
to explore and research scientific measures needed to overcome these problems.
Proposals such as alternative human settlements, eco-friendly packaging,
population control measures and incentives, resource management, economic
incentives and opportunities, and the green movement are but a few viable
solutions. So why should a challenge be issued to become proactive if we have
solutions in place and actively being researched?
The challenge to be proactive focuses more on the individual
environmentalist and not so much on the social education of an entire population.
Three areas that can assist an individual to become more proactive with the impact
they bring to an eco-system are ones individual ecological footprint, recognition of
global issues, self-education, and integrated research. Of course, two of these
solutions lend themselves to finding global solutions, but when scaled back to fit the
do-it-yourselfer, these solutions provide a platform to plant the seed in others. The
first solution, ecological footprint, is fairly easy to understand. Simply put, it is a
measure of how fast we consume resources and generate waste compared to how
fast the environment can absorb these waste and renew the resources used. There
are many websites that have an EF calculator and information concerning the
outcome of your score (See fig. 5 for graphic representation of an ecological
footprint). With an arsenal of tools as described above, how could we fail at
obtaining control of our own destinies as stewards of our planet? Each solution
exemplifies the essence of becoming proactive in the sustainable movement.

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The remaining solutions: recognition/education and integrated research, can
both begin at an individual level, thus bringing the knowledge of how to educate
others to the forefront, and giving flight to a movement of change towards our
personal impacts affecting our environments. The integrative approach brings
together multiple modes of action to research the “how” instead of the “what”
approach to research. It introduces old schools of thought brought to the arena to
function as one unit. These major features are ideas such as integrating interactions,
adaptive management, knowledge management, multiple-scale, measuring impact
for learning, action research, collaboration, livelihood perspectives, facilitation tools,
partnerships, and many more features that tie the common goal of doing business in
a sustainable way (Sayer and Campbell). The shear potential this model creates can
be a very powerful tool for innovative research techniques leading to very creative
solutions that can be accepted worldwide.
The other solution brings this paper to a conclusion, for it is fundamentally
the most basic tool used to create awareness and bring problem solving methods to
the table. In order to make the public more aware and prepare to embrace a new
concept, the burden must lie on the way we educate us and recognize there are real-
time problems with much bigger ones looming on the horizon. The challenges are
far greater than can be rational expected at this point, and its getting closer in time
to realize what measures are needed to prevent the inhabitants of the Earth from
disappearing one day. The system of educating each other has brought our human
civilization to its current technological stance and a scientific understanding of our
planet. It would be far too arrogant to relieve us of the duty of becoming better-

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educated stewards of the planet. It is a proactive issue, one that challenges each and
every one of us, from an ecological standpoint, to bear the weight of responsibility
and take ownership of our mistakes. It is time to make a difference and work
together to help our planet regain her health and become a proactive member of
sustainability.

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Works Cited
Brundtland, Gro Harlem. Report of the World Commission on Environment and
Development: "our Common Future." New York: United Nations, 1987. Print.
Diaz, Sandra. "Linking Functional Diversity and Social Actor Strategies in a
Framework for Interdisciplinary Analysis of Nature’s Benefits to Society."
Sustainable Science. Rpt. in Sustainable Science, (2011) Web.
Lorenzoni, Irene, and Nick F. Pidgeon. "Public Views on Climate Change: European
and USA Perspectives." Climatic Change 77.1-2 (2006): 73-95. Print.
Sayer, Jeffrey, and B. M. Campbell. The Science of Sustainable Development: Local
Livelihoods and the Global Environment. Cambridge, U.K.: Cambridge UP,
2004. Print.
Withgott, Jay, and Scott Brennan. Essential Environment: the Science behind the
Stories. San Francisco: Pearson, 2009. Print.
Wu, J. "Making the Case for Landscape Ecology: An Effective Approach to Urban
Sustainability." Landscape Journal 27.1 (2008): 41-50. Print.

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Photos Used and Sources Cited
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geoffbrown.jpg
http://computingforsustainability.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/tree-large.jpg
http://nslw.org/images/ecostep_large.png
http://www.eatwelldogood.com/images/sustainability_diagram5.jpg
http://www.usbg.gov/sustainability/