What is the systemic vision of sustainability?

The systemic vision of sustainability defends the impossibility of thinking about long-term economic growth. This conclusion is supported by two main premises.

The first is that environmental reality is systemic. From this perspective, a system is simply a set of interrelated elements (or subsystems). All physically existing systems are open, affecting and being affected by factors, elements or variables in the environment.

The second premise states that growth is based on available natural and social resources. It must be considered that the carrying capacity of the Earth is limited. Therefore, growth also has its limits.

Sustainability

Until now it has been difficult to reach a consensus around the concept of sustainability. However, the recognition that human activity cannot continue without overloading critical ecosystems has gained ground..

In 1987 the World Commission on Environment and Development defined sustainable development as that which is capable of satisfying the needs of the present without compromising those of future generations..

This shows concern about the effect of human activities on ecosystems..

Thus, sustainability can be defined as the ability of human systems to address a full range of human concerns in the long term. This concept refers to both the survival of the species and its quality of life..

The definition of sustainability applies to integrated systems that comprise humans and nature.

The structures and functioning of the human component should reinforce or promote the persistence of the structures and functioning of the natural component, and vice versa..

Development and the systemic vision of sustainability

From the systemic vision of sustainability, the only growth model capable of overcoming the challenge of inclusion and satisfaction of needs in the long term is the sustainable development model..

Broadly speaking, the model attempts to combine growing concerns about a variety of environmental issues with socio-economic problems..

In this way, the concept of sustainable development has represented an important change in the understanding of man's relationships with nature and between people..

This is in stark contrast to the dominant perspective of the last two hundred years, in which there was a separation of the environment from socio-economic issues. It was conceived as something external to humanity, mainly to be used and exploited..

In contrast, the systemic vision of sustainability and its growth model recognize the interdependence of the natural system and development..

On the one hand, the environment offers the resources to achieve progress and social well-being. But these resources have to be preserved and used rationally and efficiently..

It is precisely economic growth that allows us to have the financial, scientific and technical means to achieve it..

What the sustainable development model seeks is to make compatible the satisfaction of the social needs of now and those of tomorrow.

This is achieved through a process of constant change that regulates the exploitation of natural resources and directs investment and scientific-technological progress..

References

1. Suárez, M. V. and González Vázquez, A. (2014). Sustainable Development: A New Tomorrow. México D. F .: Grupo Editorial Patria.
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3. Goldie, J .; Douglas, B and Furnass, B. (2005). An urgent need to change direction. In J. Goldie, B. Douglas, and B. Furnass (editors), In Search of Sustainability, pp 1-16. Collingwood: Csiro Publishing.
4. Gallopín, G. (2003). A systems approach to sustainability and sustainable development. Santiago de Chile: ECLAC / CELAC.
5. Hopwood, B .; Mellor, M. and O'Brien, G. (2005). Sustainable Development. Mapping Different Approaches. Retrieved on November 27, 2017, from citeseerx.ist.psu.edu.
6. Bifani, P. (1999). Environment and sustainable development. Madrid: IEPALA Editorial.