Topic 3: We briefly discussed the asymmetric interactions affecting the trajectories of sustainability in the North versus South during class. How are these asymmetries experienced on other geographic scales and what are the sustainability impacts of these interactions?

We briefly discussed the asymmetric interactions affecting the trajectories of sustainability in the North versus South during class.  How are these asymmetries experienced on other geographic scales and what are the sustainability impacts of these interactions?

Hi, y'all - 

This is less an answer to the above question, and more just a thought that I had during this portion of your presentation yesterday.  I would love to hear folks' thoughts.

So, in speaking about the environmental kuznet's curve, you made the point that the downward sloping curve emerges in scenarios that involve local effects, NIMBY issues, or successful environmental governance.  You also associated the EKC with the North and the flattening curve with the South (and with non-local effects).  As far as I can tell, EKCs bear out in local/NIMBY environmental management scenarios which, of course, are more likely to be tackled in the North where there is money for environmental protection and clean-up - we're talking about correlation not causation in the discrepancy between the North and South.

So what I'm wondering is how you see the four "future scenarios" that Prof. Kates mentioned (markets, governance, fortress world, utopian transition) working to allow the EKC to either (a) bear out in non-local scenarios or (b) allow the South mechanisms to finance NIMBY campaigns, etc.  Clearly the South isn't doomed to a Kuznet's free world, at least let's hope - so what type of future structure will suit sustainable development best?

Previously Christina Nolfo wrote:

We briefly discussed the asymmetric interactions affecting the trajectories of sustainability in the North versus South during class.  How are these asymmetries experienced on other geographic scales and what are the sustainability impacts of these interactions?

I am also responding to a portion of the Princeton presentation.  You discussed how different indeces indicated different measures of success.  Clearly, there is no singular effective measurement tool of "sustainability."  As we go forward with attempting to measure sustainability, what types of indicators you all think would be included in a human-environment sustainability index?  Would this index be used at a national or subnational level? 

I imagine we are going to cover this topic more later in the seminar, but I am interested in general thoughts.

Previously Christine O'Connell wrote:

Hi, y'all - 

This is less an answer to the above question, and more just a thought that I had during this portion of your presentation yesterday.  I would love to hear folks' thoughts.

So, in speaking about the environmental kuznet's curve, you made the point that the downward sloping curve emerges in scenarios that involve local effects, NIMBY issues, or successful environmental governance.  You also associated the EKC with the North and the flattening curve with the South (and with non-local effects).  As far as I can tell, EKCs bear out in local/NIMBY environmental management scenarios which, of course, are more likely to be tackled in the North where there is money for environmental protection and clean-up - we're talking about correlation not causation in the discrepancy between the North and South.

So what I'm wondering is how you see the four "future scenarios" that Prof. Kates mentioned (markets, governance, fortress world, utopian transition) working to allow the EKC to either (a) bear out in non-local scenarios or (b) allow the South mechanisms to finance NIMBY campaigns, etc.  Clearly the South isn't doomed to a Kuznet's free world, at least let's hope - so what type of future structure will suit sustainable development best?

 

 

Previously Christina Nolfo wrote:

We briefly discussed the asymmetric interactions affecting the trajectories of sustainability in the North versus South during class.  How are these asymmetries experienced on other geographic scales and what are the sustainability impacts of these interactions?