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The Ant, The Grasshopper Or Schrödinger'S Cat: An Exploration Of Concepts Of Sustainability

Author

Listed:
  • JOHN GRINDE
  • ANSHUMAN KHARE

    (Athabasca University, Centre for Innovative Management, 301 Grandin Park Plaza, 22 Sir Winston Churchill Avenue, St. Albert, AB T8N 1B4, Canada)

Abstract
Living within the limits imposed by a finite earth may be the predominant challenge of the 21st century; however there is no agreement on what this means economically or politically. Continually increasing population and per capita consumption within a finite environment is a biologic impossibility. Today many of nature's resources are being harvested at rates where growth is uneconomic and damaging to future production.This paper explores linkages between economics, society and nature as complex adaptive systems in a world of uncertainty. To understand that these self organising systems exist in equilibrium, dependent on feedback loops, is to understand that as humanity destroys system equilibrium we push the entire system to the edge of criticality and perhaps chaos. Consequences of criticality and chaos theory are now thought to follow power laws; wherein the size of any single system disruption is impossible to predict, especially when inter-relationships with other systems are not understood. Understanding the biosphere from a holistic perspective is critical when considering priorities and making wise choices.Thoughts of some environmental thinkers are reviewed for a perspective on the meaning of true sustainability, where it may lead and how we must redesign human systems to adapt to a sustainable world. The authors believe holism exists; that similarities with other fields of study exist in the environmental issues of today; and, that ideas and solutions may be also found in unexpected places. Although no recommendations are made it is hoped that interest is stimulated in answering the question when are we going to act collectively to address some of the present day myriad issues.

Suggested Citation

  • John Grinde & Anshuman Khare, 2008. "The Ant, The Grasshopper Or Schrödinger'S Cat: An Exploration Of Concepts Of Sustainability," Journal of Environmental Assessment Policy and Management (JEAPM), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 10(02), pages 115-141.
    • Handle: RePEc:wsi:jeapmx:v:10:y:2008:i:02:n:s1464333208003007
    DOI: 10.1142/S1464333208003007
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    Cited by:

    1. Yang, Guo-liang & Fukuyama, Hirofumi & Song, Yao-yao, 2019. "Estimating capacity utilization of Chinese manufacturing industries," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 94-110.

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