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Sustainability

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Wellbeing, Resilience and Sustainability

Abstract

As the environment has moved centre stage, there has been an upsurge in the study of sustainability and the relationship between humans and the natural environment. Indeed, because of its focus on systems and human behaviour, sustainability is evolving into a pivotal position in the new trinity of governance that we argue for in this book. As with the other concepts, we note a more human-centred approach developing, particularly with the Sustainable Development Goals. As with the other parts of the trinity, we note that this is overly focused on the individual and generally favours adaptation and amelioration over more structural or systemic change. With such deep changes taken for granted as part of the anthropocene, the focus on lifestyles, life choices, awareness, reflection and responsible individual behaviour tends to duck the big economic and political system questions. In its current formulation, the notion of ‘the anthropocene’ is particularly culpable in this in that it fails to address what is driving the ongoing environmental crisis.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    SDG Vision: We envisage a world free of poverty, hunger disease and want, where all life can thrive. We envisage a world free of fear and violence. A world with universal literacy. A world with equitable access to quality education at all levels to health care and social protection, where physical, mental and social wellbeing are assured (UN Declaration A/RES/70/1).

  2. 2.

    ‘Agenda 21 Chapter 28 on Local Authorities: Because so many of the problems and solutions being addressed by Agenda 21 have their roots in local activities, the participation and cooperation of local authorities will be a determining factor in fulfilling its objectives. Local authorities construct, operate and maintain economic, social and environmental policies and regulations, and assist in implementing national and subnational environmental policies. As the level of governance closest to the people, they play a vital role in educating, mobilising and responding to the public to promote sustainable development’.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK

    Jonathan Joseph

  2. Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK

    J. Allister McGregor

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  1. Jonathan Joseph
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  2. J. Allister McGregor
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Correspondence to Jonathan Joseph .

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Joseph, J., McGregor, J.A. (2020). Sustainability. In: Wellbeing, Resilience and Sustainability. Building a Sustainable Political Economy: SPERI Research & Policy. Palgrave Pivot, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-32307-3_4

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