Portland State University
Introduction to Sustainability Concepts and Theories
Jennifer Allen and David Ervin
Center for Sustainable Processes and Practices
PSU Academic Sustainability Programs
June 19, 2007

Portland State University
Outline
nHistorical evolution of sustainability
nDefinitions
nKey concepts, theories, and ideas
nPSU’s sustainability programs
–Facilities and operations
–Academics -- research and instruction

Portland State University
Historical evolution
nStockholm Conference on Human Environment (1970)
nWorld Conservation Strategy (1980)
nNatural Step (1980s)
nWorld Commission on Environment and Development’s ‘Our Common Future’ (1987)
nUN (Rio) Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) (1992)
nUN Session on Agenda 21 (1997)
nUN Johannesburg Conference (2002)
nEarly focus on environmental issues; now expanding to social and economic concerns.
n

Portland State University
Sustainability initiatives
nU.N.
nU.S. Government (DOD, EPA, DOE)
nStates (Oregon Sustainability Directives)
nCities (Portland Office of SD)
nLocal communities (watershed groups)
nNon-profit organizations (Natural Step)
nBusiness groups (trade associations)

Portland State University
Definitions
nBrundtland Commission – Sustainable development meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
nReconciliation of society’s development goals with its environmental limits over the long term
(Our Common Journey, National Research Council)
nSimultaneous achievement of economic prosperity, a healthy environment, and social equity for
current and future generations.

Portland State University
What is different?
nTimeframe – inter-generational focus challenges short term planning and “discounting” future
values.
nAsks us to think about connection between economic, social, and environmental issues
nWhy is this difficult???
–Think about how we are organized
–Think about how we are educated!
–
n
n

Portland State University
Institutional structures
nGovernment - Agency focus
nPolicies - Air, water, health, food, etc  - all addressed separately
nUniversities, schools - Disciplinary focus
nBusinesses – Budgets often fragmented – capital vs. operating
n
n-> Institutional and organizational issues pose major challenges
–
–

Portland State University
Three components of sustainability
1.Environment – maintaining the earth’s life support system (e.g., ecosystem services such as
pollution filtering).
2.Social – maintaining community (civic) capacity that fosters effective participation and
‘equitable’ treatment of all stakeholders.
3.Economic – maintaining an economic system that provides a non-declining standard of living for
this and future generations.
n

Portland State University
Environment
Integration as Key Sustainability Principle

Portland State University
Source: Axis Performance Advisers
n
n
Environmentalist View
Environment
Social
Economy
Social
Environment
Business Worldview
Economy
Humanist
View
Social
Economy
Environment

Portland State University
 Evolving sustainability theories
nEarly community development model – study environment, society and economy as separate disciplines
(circles of influence)
nPopular sustainability theory – emphasize links between environment, society and economy
n‘Ideal’ scientific model – three circles: largest is ‘environment’, second ‘social’ circle lies
within largest, and ‘economy’ lies within social; use systems approach to incorporate linkages
(dependencies) and feedback effects between all three spheres

Portland State University
Key concepts
nEcosystem stability and resilience – magnitude of disturbance that can be absorbed before the
system changes structure.
nSystems theory -- suggests that ecological, social, and economic systems are a group of
interrelated, interacting or interdependent constituents forming a complex whole.
nScale and place matter. Why?

Natural Systems are diverse and complex…
DEPH0419 DEPH0709 DEPH0457 DEPH0578 DEPH0629 CORB5412 ACI60200


…evolving and adaptive….
FOC07754 WR913061 ABN60014 AAS60331 CORB0394 DEPH0653


The integrity of these systems is key to their resilience
DEPH0683 CORB7619 CORB0134 WR927686 DEPH0642 DEPH0624 CORB4267


Social systems are also diverse….
CORB2693 CORB2692 CORB2628 CORB2611 CORB2614 CORB2654 CORB2684


…complex…
WR927276 CORB1046 HMCL2360 WR927342 CORB4365 CORB2197 CORB6772


…and maintaining their integrity and diversity is key…..
DEPH0697 DEPH0694 DEPH0673 CORB2609 CORB4772 CORB6356 CGRV0038 CORB2171


…to allow them to evolve and adapt…..
CORB7509 CORB2625 CORB2660 CORB2636 CORB2634 CORB2647 CORB3489


…to the changing world we live in
DEPH0662 DEPH0686 CORB6375 CORB6353 CORB6386 CORB0850


Different systems have different requirements…
DEPH0683 CORB7619 CORB0134 WR927686 DEPH0642 DEPH0624 CORB4267


One size does not fit all….
WR505547 FOC01142 12771_BUDDHA IN STONE FOC03702 45631_DESERT TEMPLE


Portland State University
Key concepts cont’d.
nCapital – natural, manmade, financial, human, and social assets that deliver services into the
future.
nEquity – intra-generational, i.e., current groups, and inter-generational, i.e., over generations
nEconomic viability – maintaining firm profitability and government solvency.
n

Portland State University
Guiding principles
1.Maintain sufficient stocks of capital (natural, manmade, human and social) through use and
investment such that future generations can achieve at least the same quality of life as current
generations.
2.Assure equitable distributions of capital forms across contemporary groups and countries and
across generations.
n

Portland State University
Key questions
1.To what degree can manmade and human capital substitute for forms of natural capital? (strong vs.
weak sustainability)
2.Will we encounter irreversible thresholds for certain ‘critical’ natural capital?
3.How do we engage relevant groups to identify the values that define sustainability goals and
equity?
4.How can nonmarket environmental and human services be counted in market-based economy?
5.Do we have adequate science and data to assess progress?

Portland State University
Roles in Pursuing Sustainability
1.What roles can/should the business sector play in moving toward sustainability?
2.What changes in government programs & policy are necessary to pursue sustainability goals?
3.What roles can/should non-profit organizations play?
4.What roles can/should universities play in fostering sound decisions about sustainability?
n

Portland State University
Take away ideas
nEnvironmental, social and economic systems must work in complementary ways, not at odds.
nPursuing sustainability is a continuing process, not an end state.
nUncertainty in science and politics pervades the process.
n‘Learning by doing’ and adaptive management are necessary.
nPartnerships and integration are essential.
nOne size does not fit all.
n
n
n
n
n

Portland State University
Bottom line
nSustainability is increasingly accepted as a goal by developed and developing countries,
businesses, and non-profits.
nThere is a need for more rigorous scholarship and innovative practices.
nPortland and Oregon are seen as national and international leaders in sustainability.
nPSU has a unique opportunity and responsibility in sustainability research, education and
practice.
n

Portland State University
PSU Motto
n
n
n Doctrina Urbi Serviat
n
n“Let Knowledge Serve the City”
DOCURBI

Portland State University
PSU Sustainability Vision & Mission
n VISION: To be an internationally recognized university known for excellence in student learning,
innovative research, and community engagement that simultaneously advance economic vitality,
environmental health, and quality of life.
n
n MISSION: Serve as a leading academic laboratory for developing sustainable processes and
practices using multi-disciplinary approaches in partnership with business, government, and other
organizations.
n

Portland State University
Sustainability Declaration(2005)
1.Infuse sustainability into all colleges, schools and programs.
2.Develop a sustainable physical campus that is an example to other institutions.
3.Make Portland State a demonstration model of sustainable processes and practices.
4.Develop core multidisciplinary research competencies in key sustainability areas related to
pressing real world problems.
n

Portland State University
Innovate sustainable practices as demonstration models
nTransportation alternatives (2005 Portland BEST Award)
nGreen buildings – Epler Hall and Broadway Housing (2005 Portland BEST Award)
nWaste management and recycling
nSustainable food services (2006 BEST Award)
nSolar energy array on Cramer Hall
n

Portland State University
Infuse sustainability into curriculum
nUndergraduate minors
–Sustainability (Environmental Science and Resources)
–Sustainable Urban Development (Urban Studies and Planning)
nGraduate certificate (university-wide)
–Four core courses (environmental, social, economic, and systems integration)
–Two approved electives

Portland State University
Develop core multidisciplinary research competencies
n
nCenter for Sustainable Processes & Practices (CSP2)
–Place for rigorous, cross-disciplinary research with integrated environmental, social and economic
components
–Locus for collaborative research and dialogue with academic and community participants
–Institutional support for building a resource base
n

Portland State University
What’s on the horizon?
nPSU, in collaboration with OSU, U of O, and OIT is helping to develop a signature research center
on clean energy, bio-based products green buildings and development (Bio-economy and Sustainable
Technologies or BEST).
nDeveloping research and education collaborations with foreign universities, e.g., Tongji (China).
n‘Focus the Nation’ educational initiative on global warming and clean energy
nClimate change research and education

Portland State University
Portland State University –  Sustainable by Nature