Ecological Footprint

Modern Interpretations of Sustainable Development

The purpose of Ross’ article is to examine early interpretations of sustainable development policy that are based on weak sustainability principles, as well as exposing the inadequacies of that policy. More specifically, Ross finds that the policy fails to “address either the fact that there are limits to the earth’s resilience or our cultural and moral failure to curb our consumption,” (p. 33). Ross also cites the WCED’s Brundtland Report of sustainable development as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (p. 34). The concept of weak sustainability practices favour high economic growth at the expense of the environment, and are based “on the premise that technology and international trade will ensure that there are resources to meet cultural or human carrying capacity” (p. 35). 

This philosophy is in contradiction to many ecological theorists such as Hardin, Orr, Rees and Wackernagel, who strongly advocate for ecological sustainability practices that demonstrate social, cultural and moral change and restraint in consumption, over short term economic band-aids that will not account for future generations. Citing the WWF, Ross explains that “humanity’s demand on the planet’s living resources, its ecological footprint, exceeded the earth’s ecological limits by the 1980s and has continued to rise such that now its ecological footprint exceeds the planet’s regenerative capacity by about 30 per cent” (p. 35). Referring to Rees and Wackneragel’s observation, Ross reiterates that we need to “‘shift our emphasis from “managing resources” to managing ourselves so that we learn to live as part of nature’” (p. 54).

(Retrieved July 18, 2011 from http://eyeon2050sustheory.blogspot.com/2008/05/in-their-1987-report-to-united-nations.html)

 

Other Comments:

Ross also explains how the environment, economy and society are all interdependent parts that make up sustainable development. Ross goes on to say that ecological sustainability should be at the center of sustainable development, rather than economic growth, the latter being part of a more “business-as-usual weak-sustainability approach” (p. 45). It is not just about changing our approach, but also about how we approach development – we have to consider the ecological limits first and then determine what development is possible given the limits. We also have to know that though technology increases productivity, it often does nothing about lessening consumption, which is central to sustainable development. Adding to the above summary, Ross concludes that in order for change to occur, we need to have proper leadership and look at the long-term goals of supplying for the present, without over-consuming and taking away from the future.

Ross, A. (2009). Modern interpretations of sustainable development. Journal of Law and Society, 36(1), 32-54.