Sustainable Science: What and Why?
by: Deva DeAngelis
written Dec 2012
Sustainable science is a combination of earth, social, and political sciences with the intention of identifying and utilizing systems that are naturally, or with a little help, homeostatic in their ability to create health and long-term vitality. Even though the term “sustainable” is considered vague, it is labeled as such because of the broad range of technologies, natural systems, and attitudes that can be put together in combinations relevant to specific areas to create systems that will support the health and happiness of all forms of life within it. Sustainable science explores biology and ecology to understand the dynamic relationships between all living systems, sociology to examine the modern attitudes and dependencies on finite resources, and both social and political systems that presently promote a hierarchy in both monetary and behavioral relations. All of these factors seem to weigh evenly on our present, so called, “civilized” dynamic, which promotes over-consumption and increasing wealth with little regard to present life and the future of our planet.
We have only recently begun to identify the importance of the smaller natural systems that work together to function as a larger planetary system. Rainforests create their own atmosphere, and help regulate global circulation as they release mass amounts of oxygen, and store carbon as biomass. The high level of biological diversity contained within even a square mile of these dynamic environments makes them very resilient to natural disasters and other disturbances that could set back an area, with very few species, a significantly greater amount of time. It is advantageous to understand these connections that different biomes contribute to the larger picture, which is where the idea of a systems thinking approach is of utmost importance. Systems thinking recognizes that all systems are made up of smaller parts, and that the examination of only one part can miss the important dynamics of how the relationship between the parts make the whole system work.
An important distinction exists in the trajectories between traditional and sustainable sciences. Traditional science focuses on a certain, often narrowly perceived goal, sometimes with little regard for morality, or impacts of both the scientific process itself, or the results‘ implications. Sustainable science seeks to investigate components from a variety of fields that each address a common goal, which is to promote and sustain the health and life of all kinds, and essentially learn how to live off of the natural interest of the earth, the excess, without imposing on its principle.
Succeeding to implement sustainable sciences and technologies to an adequate degree relative to the issues that we are facing today is exceedingly challenging, mostly in relation to our idea of progressive civilization, and all that this concept seems to offer. We have a history of thousands of years to support our current popular societal structure, and on the planet today, we have thought systems and individual beliefs that are rooted on the confidence or hope for leisurely wealth, government protection, and certain individual freedoms that were partially built on the shoulders of inequality, segregation, and under a hierarchy that has proceeded to claim and sell knowledge, resources, and even people. When we look at poverty, which we now understand statistically, rather than solely empathetically, and see that the larger gaps between the rich and the poor contribute to discontentment and disease, violence and desperation, most of us understand that we need to alleviate this condition with all of its related consequences. But to take apart this problem, one must use the systems thinking approach to consider all of the aspects of societal implications, one of them being the discomfort for some people to give up a portion of their power and wealth. Most of us are attached to our acquired goods because they are desirably comfortable, which understandably would often mean a level of discomfort while readjusting to a less catered life-style. This is only one piece of the challenging dynamic in creating what would be no less than a paradigm shift to our very fortified, somewhat historically blind society; very challenging indeed, but not at all impossible.
We are a complicated and resilient species, and have more than enough solutions at our fingertips to address every one of the issues we face today. We have devised solar, wind, and wave technologies, have developed numerous forms of biofuels, have outstanding localization resources at hand, as well as understand a level of intricacies of human and societal behaviors that has never before been gathered in known history. When we create a material need out of finite resources, we are recreating our culture to depend on something that cannot last, and while we continue to ignore this fact, we also ignore the waste, pollution, and hazard, that are threatening our very survival as a species. We need the animals, and a variety of plants, and clean air, and water, and happy people; which brings me to my next point.
When we take action to provide basic necessities for every individual on the planet, changing our ideas of value from the monetary system to a supportive system of human values, while implementing the changes that are least harmful to remaining life-forms and resources, real change can begin to blossom. We are empathetic creatures by nature, and when people find the will and way to begin helping one another, it will be like floodgates opening. The happier we are, and the more we are allowed to take care of each other, the more our souls flourish, and happy minds are considerably more innovative, and will be able to pursue even greater solutions that we cannot possibly foresee.
Sustainability is not only advantageous, but necessary. When we are not all clamoring frantically up the illusory latter of infinite wealth, and recognize that we have all we need, we will be able to relax and appreciate.