Why does it seem so difficult for world leaders and humankind to develop in a sustainable way with intra and intergenerational justice and without harming the environment to a level where it creates a more dangerous surrounding for humans i.e. by air pollution and global warming through burning of fossil fuels?
It is December 2019; Greta Thunberg was just voted as person of the year 2019 by Times Magazine because she started the unique global Fridays for Future movement almost one year ago where pupils give up on their right of education to strike every Friday on the streets worldwide to make governments act towards climate change. The governments of the world came together to hold the UN Climate Change Conference in Madrid. Their goal was to produce a blueprint on how to limit climate change because at the moment the world is on a path towards an increasing temperature of up to 4.3 °C until the end of the century.
Table of Contents
1. Using examples discuss the claim that the three pillars of sustainable development are inherently in tension
Objectives and Themes
The work examines whether the three pillars of sustainable development—economy, society, and environment—are fundamentally in conflict or if they can be harmonized, using solar energy and sustainable palm oil production as primary case studies to explore the role of human definitions in sustainability.
- Theoretical foundations of the three-pillar model versus integrated models.
- Analysis of solar energy as a catalyst for environmental and social harmony.
- Evaluation of the Round Table for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) regarding industrial reform.
- The impact of subjective human definitions on the perception of sustainability tensions.
- The intersection of economic growth, social justice, and environmental preservation.
Excerpt from the book
Using examples discuss the claim that the three pillars of sustainable development are inherently in tension
It is December 2019; Greta Thunberg was just voted as person of the year 2019 by Times Magazine because she started the unique global Fridays for Future movement almost one year ago where pupils give up on their right of education to strike every Friday on the streets worldwide to make governments act towards climate change. The governments of the world came together to hold the UN Climate Change Conference in Madrid. Their goal was to produce a blueprint on how to limit climate change because at the moment the world is on a path towards an increasing temperature of up to 4.3 °C until the end of the century (IPCC, 2019: 8). Why does it seem so difficult for world leaders and humankind to develop in a sustainable way with intra and intergenerational justice and without harming the environment to a level where it creates a more dangerous surrounding for humans i.e. by air pollution and global warming through burning of fossil fuels (Kalogirou, 2004; Panwar et al., 2011)?
Governments first identified strategies for a healthy environment and more global justice in 1987 published in the Brundtland Report, where sustainable development was defined as meeting “[…] the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs” (World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987: 43). From an anthropocentric point of view sustainable development by itself sounds like a phenomenal goal aiming for (Hopwood et al., 2005). It refers to justice for current generations and future generations. A more modern version of sustainable development is the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development published by the United Nations in 2015.
Summary of Chapters
1. Using examples discuss the claim that the three pillars of sustainable development are inherently in tension: The chapter introduces the concept of sustainable development, the three-pillar model, and the central inquiry into whether these pillars are naturally in conflict, illustrated through renewable energy and palm oil production case studies.
Keywords
Sustainable development, climate change, three pillars, solar energy, RSPO, environmental protection, social justice, economic growth, planetary boundaries, sustainability models, renewable energy, human needs, fossil fuels, deforestation, global justice
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this publication?
The paper fundamentally investigates whether the economic, social, and environmental pillars of sustainable development are inherently contradictory or if they can coexist in a mutually reinforcing manner.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The analysis spans theoretical sustainability models, the practical application of solar energy, the certification standards of palm oil production, and the influence of human definitions on global sustainability goals.
What is the primary objective of this research?
The objective is to determine if the tension between sustainability pillars is inherent or if it depends on the subjective value systems and definitions applied by different societal and political actors.
Which scientific methods are utilized in this work?
The author employs a qualitative approach, utilizing a literature review of established sustainability models and case study analysis to examine real-world attempts at integrating economic and environmental goals.
What is examined in the main section?
The main section discusses the transition to solar power as an example of reducing environmental harm and assesses the RSPO's efforts to reform market practices within the tropical palm oil industry.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include sustainable development, climate change, three pillars, planetary boundaries, and social/environmental justice.
How does the author characterize the 'three pillars' model?
The author presents the three pillars as an interdependent framework that is often visualized as separate entities but functions best when understood as nested systems within planetary boundaries.
What role does the RSPO play in the author's argument?
The RSPO serves as an example of a 'Reform' approach, attempting to mitigate market failures and internalize environmental costs to show that economic growth and forest conservation can potentially be reconciled.
Does the author conclude that sustainability tension is unavoidable?
No, the author concludes that tensions are not inherently fixed but are heavily dependent on human expectations, subjective definitions of 'needs,' and the chosen institutional frameworks for sustainability.
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- Christina Wulf (Autor:in), 2019, The three pillars of sustainable development and their tensions. Discussion of various examples, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/957981
