Ekologisk hållbarhet, vad är det?
(2013) MVEM12 20121Studies in Environmental Science
- Abstract
- The concept of sustainable development has repeatedly been criticized for being vague. Scholars have all but agreed to disagree on a possible definition. This study constitutes an attempt to define the concept of environmental sustainability. The main objective is that present-day ambiguity and vagueness of the concept is turned into an intelligible communication and constructive discussion (jfr Sartori 1984, s.10). The study is intended as a preparation for a larger research project. The method used is concept analysis, based on Giovanni Sartori’s guide Social science concepts: A systematic analysis. Initially the connotation of the concept was reconstructed by extracting characteristics from nine definitions of environmental... (More)
- The concept of sustainable development has repeatedly been criticized for being vague. Scholars have all but agreed to disagree on a possible definition. This study constitutes an attempt to define the concept of environmental sustainability. The main objective is that present-day ambiguity and vagueness of the concept is turned into an intelligible communication and constructive discussion (jfr Sartori 1984, s.10). The study is intended as a preparation for a larger research project. The method used is concept analysis, based on Giovanni Sartori’s guide Social science concepts: A systematic analysis. Initially the connotation of the concept was reconstructed by extracting characteristics from nine definitions of environmental sustainability, and by arranging these characteristics in a logical way. To be able to establish a definition better than the ones reconstructed, the denotation of the concept was explored within sustainability science. During the final step of the concept analysis – concept formation – new definitions of environmental sustainability were formed on warranted and clarified grounds.
The definition of sustainability is that the present needs are being met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The declarative definition of environmental sustainability is to sustain the life support systems. The denotative definition is to maintain and build resilience of ecosystems. The precising definition is the provisioning functions of ecosystems are utilized within their regenerative capacity and emission caused by utilization is kept within the assimilative capacity of the regulating functions of ecosystems – to sustain the supporting functions of ecosystems. This definition of environmental sustainability should be refined when depictions of ecosystems has advanced. The definition can also be further precised from a land use perspective. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/3812744
- author
- Cassel, Maria LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- MVEM12 20121
- year
- 2013
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- concept analysis, susatainability science, environmental sustainbility
- language
- Swedish
- id
- 3812744
- date added to LUP
- 2013-06-24 16:09:13
- date last changed
- 2013-06-24 16:09:13
@misc{3812744,
abstract = {{The concept of sustainable development has repeatedly been criticized for being vague. Scholars have all but agreed to disagree on a possible definition. This study constitutes an attempt to define the concept of environmental sustainability. The main objective is that present-day ambiguity and vagueness of the concept is turned into an intelligible communication and constructive discussion (jfr Sartori 1984, s.10). The study is intended as a preparation for a larger research project. The method used is concept analysis, based on Giovanni Sartori’s guide Social science concepts: A systematic analysis. Initially the connotation of the concept was reconstructed by extracting characteristics from nine definitions of environmental sustainability, and by arranging these characteristics in a logical way. To be able to establish a definition better than the ones reconstructed, the denotation of the concept was explored within sustainability science. During the final step of the concept analysis – concept formation – new definitions of environmental sustainability were formed on warranted and clarified grounds.
The definition of sustainability is that the present needs are being met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The declarative definition of environmental sustainability is to sustain the life support systems. The denotative definition is to maintain and build resilience of ecosystems. The precising definition is the provisioning functions of ecosystems are utilized within their regenerative capacity and emission caused by utilization is kept within the assimilative capacity of the regulating functions of ecosystems – to sustain the supporting functions of ecosystems. This definition of environmental sustainability should be refined when depictions of ecosystems has advanced. The definition can also be further precised from a land use perspective.}},
author = {{Cassel, Maria}},
language = {{swe}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Ekologisk hållbarhet, vad är det?}},
year = {{2013}},
}