| Titre : |
Theoretical background papers : an alternative conceptual framework for sustainability : systemics and thermodynamics |
| Type de document : |
texte imprimé |
| Auteurs : |
Peter Hobson, Auteur ; Pierre L. Ibisch, Auteur |
| Importance : |
p 127-148 |
| Langues : |
Anglais (eng) |
| Catégories : |
SCIENCES DE L'ENVIRONNEMENT
|
| Mots-clés : |
DURABILITE THERMODYNAMIQUE SYSTEME ECOLOGIQUE PENSEE ECOLOGIQUE PANARCHIE |
| Résumé : |
The conventional view held by many scientists was that a thorough understanding of nature in all its diversity and complexity could be best achieved by an ever increasing detailed analysis of its single pieces , in other words, adopting an atomistic approach to the study of the individual components within a system and by observing cause-effect behavior between them . However, such technomorphic reductionism does not factor in emergent properties of systems, variability and non-liar processes across scales, which leads to problematic misunderstandings . In this paper, a systemic approach to sustainability is developed setting out som e of the philosophy and science underpinning current understanding of complex systems and thermodynamics. Ecosystem theory, based on systems theory and ecosystem thermodynamics, facilitates a better understanding of the relationship between natural and anthropogenic systems. It also sets out clear parameters and measurable boundaries to systems in terms of productivity, carrying capacity, limits of change, resilience, as well as factors in the unpredictable nature and uncertainty of system behavior . Systems, to a certain extent , are open to both energy and material flow but continue to maintain definition and integrity in rather the same way as does a cell with a permeable membrane. A central feature to systems ecology is the transformation of energy through and across system-scale boundaries of ecosystems, encompassing thermodynamics, chemistry and both biological and ecological energetics.
In this paper, a systemic treatment of the concept of sustainability is developed. The thesis also builds on the understanding and findings of other authors who have already claimed that a systemic perspective on the nature –society continuum provides a clearer frame of reference for effective analysis and a more appropriate basis for understanding the urgent problems we face on earth. Accepting the premise that all environmental and social constructs are systems or part of a system, then where components are observed to interact and forms systems, a logical question would enquire about the nature of the force that drives systems towards assembling and sefl-organizing. This question has in part been answered through on-going research into thermodynamics, however rather less is understood about the relationships between the environment, rapidly evolving social systems and the concept of sustainability in the context of both thermodynamic and non-equilibrium thermodynamics to problems of environment-culture relationships and sustainability.
While the post-normal and transdisciplinary concepts related to systemics and thermodynamics have simulated and enriched general sustainability science, we feel that they have not been introduced into biodiversity conservation and the discourses related to the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Just as systemics provides general explanations for the function and dysfunction of both biological-ecological and cultural entities, it is also the necessary means of carrying out the analysis of interlinkages between biodiversity and development.
|
| Numéro du document : |
AA GVI |
| Niveau Bibliographique : |
5 |
| Bull1 (Theme principale) : |
GESTION DE L'ENVIRONNEMENT |
| Bull2 (Theme secondaire) : |
POLITIQUE DE L'ENVIRONNEMENT |
Theoretical background papers : an alternative conceptual framework for sustainability : systemics and thermodynamics [texte imprimé] / Peter Hobson, Auteur ; Pierre L. Ibisch, Auteur . - [s.d.] . - p 127-148. Langues : Anglais ( eng)
| Catégories : |
SCIENCES DE L'ENVIRONNEMENT
|
| Mots-clés : |
DURABILITE THERMODYNAMIQUE SYSTEME ECOLOGIQUE PENSEE ECOLOGIQUE PANARCHIE |
| Résumé : |
The conventional view held by many scientists was that a thorough understanding of nature in all its diversity and complexity could be best achieved by an ever increasing detailed analysis of its single pieces , in other words, adopting an atomistic approach to the study of the individual components within a system and by observing cause-effect behavior between them . However, such technomorphic reductionism does not factor in emergent properties of systems, variability and non-liar processes across scales, which leads to problematic misunderstandings . In this paper, a systemic approach to sustainability is developed setting out som e of the philosophy and science underpinning current understanding of complex systems and thermodynamics. Ecosystem theory, based on systems theory and ecosystem thermodynamics, facilitates a better understanding of the relationship between natural and anthropogenic systems. It also sets out clear parameters and measurable boundaries to systems in terms of productivity, carrying capacity, limits of change, resilience, as well as factors in the unpredictable nature and uncertainty of system behavior . Systems, to a certain extent , are open to both energy and material flow but continue to maintain definition and integrity in rather the same way as does a cell with a permeable membrane. A central feature to systems ecology is the transformation of energy through and across system-scale boundaries of ecosystems, encompassing thermodynamics, chemistry and both biological and ecological energetics.
In this paper, a systemic treatment of the concept of sustainability is developed. The thesis also builds on the understanding and findings of other authors who have already claimed that a systemic perspective on the nature –society continuum provides a clearer frame of reference for effective analysis and a more appropriate basis for understanding the urgent problems we face on earth. Accepting the premise that all environmental and social constructs are systems or part of a system, then where components are observed to interact and forms systems, a logical question would enquire about the nature of the force that drives systems towards assembling and sefl-organizing. This question has in part been answered through on-going research into thermodynamics, however rather less is understood about the relationships between the environment, rapidly evolving social systems and the concept of sustainability in the context of both thermodynamic and non-equilibrium thermodynamics to problems of environment-culture relationships and sustainability.
While the post-normal and transdisciplinary concepts related to systemics and thermodynamics have simulated and enriched general sustainability science, we feel that they have not been introduced into biodiversity conservation and the discourses related to the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Just as systemics provides general explanations for the function and dysfunction of both biological-ecological and cultural entities, it is also the necessary means of carrying out the analysis of interlinkages between biodiversity and development.
|
| Numéro du document : |
AA GVI |
| Niveau Bibliographique : |
5 |
| Bull1 (Theme principale) : |
GESTION DE L'ENVIRONNEMENT |
| Bull2 (Theme secondaire) : |
POLITIQUE DE L'ENVIRONNEMENT |
|
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