Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
does not necessarily subsume economy but rather is interdependent on
economy, sustainability means maintenance of total stocks of capital (that is,
weak sustainability) since improvement in man-made capital (such as
development of alternative energy, enforcement of pollution tax) can offset
some decline in natural capital.
The first view is significant in that it specifies the minimal necessary
condition of sustainability and inspires environmentalists to action. This view,
however, neglects the human dimension and what constitutes critical natural
capital is subject to debate. That is, the view does not recognize the potential
of man-made capital to improve natural capital. The Green Belt Movement in
Kenya illustrates the role of man-made capital that mutually reinforces natural
capital—how communities organize themselves to choose the path to preserve
natural resources by planting trees to educate the workforce and improve the
quality of life in their communities.
The second view suggests that one can minimize consumption of natural
resources while finding solutions, leaving room for human efforts. However, it
is unrealistic to presume perfect substitutive relationships among natural
capital and man-made capital since some critical natural capital simply has no
substitute. A more realistic view is to preserve critical natural capital while
acknowledging the tradeoff relations that exist between natural capital and
man-made capital. Therefore, sustainability cannot be assessed without an
understanding of this nature-society relation. The capital theory of
sustainability provides a calculus for integrating natural and human systems
(i.e., natural capital and man-made capital in economic terms), and offers a
starting point to assess sustainability in an integrative manner. Once the
concept of sustainability is theorized, aspects of sustainability can be measured
to assess sustainability objectively.
Developing and Organizing Sustainability Indicators Informed
by Capital Theory
What is measured can be managed. Without indicators, it would be hard to
monitor progress toward sustainability. Sustainability indicators should serve
as a pointer to symptoms of system (e.g., Biochemical Oxygen Demand or
BOD to monitor the self-cleansing of water), and an orientor of systems (e.g.,
the rate of fossil fuel exploitation/rate of alternative energy development)
(Meadows, 1998). Additionally, good sustainability indicators should be
integrative (i.e., should portray linkages among the environmental, economic,
