2. Flaws in the Fabric -- People and Nature

Introduction

• Title: Flaws in the Fabric: People & Nature

• Author: Warren Herold

• Course: Foundations of Sustainability, University of Arkansas

Sustainable Development

• Definition: Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

  • Current Issues:

    • Only addressing some people’s needs, leading to inequalities.

    • Contributing to problems for future generations, such as increased greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations.

  • Questions to Consider:

    • Why are we failing to achieve sustainable development?

Flaws in the Fabric

• Issues Identified:

  • Human systems and natural systems are often incompatible.

  • Quote: Niko Roorda: "Many issues making sustainable development necessary arise from fundamental errors in our world arrangements."

One-way Traffic Concept

• One-way Traffic: Refers to the unidirectional flow of resources in the agricultural system that negatively impacts sustainability.

• Example of Historical Practices:

  • Traditionally, livestock consumed locally grown plants, supported by manure fertilization, representing a closed cycle.

Current Agricultural Practices

• Modern Practices:

  • Example: Vietnam imports approximately 80% of its animal feed.

  • Consequences:

    • Exporting countries face resource depletion and environmental degradation.

    • Importing countries experience issues like over-fertilization, increased nitrate levels, and biodiversity loss.

Challenges in Closing the Cycle

• Question: Why don't we revert to closed cycles in agricultural practices?

  • Reasons:

    • Economic: Cheaper to import/export.

    • Resistance to change existing practices.

Benefits and Costs of Trade

• Discussion on Trade:

  • Trade can yield benefits but often overlooks environmental and social costs.

  • Key Questions:

    • Why are external costs ignored? What can be done?

Dependency on External Inputs

• Agricultural dependency on external resources leads to negative environmental consequences, including increased costs, land scarcity, and pollution.

Structure of Responsibility

• Who Can Solve the Problem?:

  • Various stakeholders involved, including farmers, government, and consumers.

  • Need collective action towards sustainable practices.

Positive Feedback Mechanism

• Growth tendencies lead to unsustainable practices and ecological instability.

• Quote by Niko Roorda: "Human nature mirrors a growth focus, often leading to catastrophes."

Population Growth

• Historical population estimates show a sharp increase, emphasizing the strain on resources and sustainability.

• Population Projections: UN predicts significant growth through 2100.

IPAT Model

• Formula: I = P x A x T

  • I: Environmental impact (ecological footprint)

  • P: Population size

  • A: Affluence (per capita consumption)

  • T: Technology (resource intensity)

• Discusses the roles of population, consumption, and technology on environmental degradation.

Inequality Issues

• Water Inequality: Despite abundant global fresh water, access disparities exist.

  • Majority of global water is salt water, with significant portions of fresh water unavailable for use.

Food Inequality

• Under-Nourishment and Food Insecurity: Showcase statistics on food insecurity and continual growth in daily calorie consumption in the U.S.

• Daily caloric intake data indicates increasing patterns, yet questions arise regarding the quality of consumption.

Sustainability Strategies

• Final Thoughts: Environmental goals and social/economic equality are intertwined; both aspects are necessary for a cohesive sustainability framework.