From the Unity of Nature to Sustainability Science: Ideas and Practice

Robert W. Kates

No 218, CID Working Papers from Center for International Development at Harvard University

Abstract: The ideas of sustainability science are at least two centuries old; the practice is but a decade. This paper reviews some of those key ideas beginning with Humboldt and the unity of nature, and goes on to discuss just what is sustainability science. For its current practice, the author discusses three major tasks of sustainability science: fundamental research on use-directed problems; nurture of the next generations of sustainability scientists; and moving knowledge into action. The author illustrates each of these with some recent initiatives.

Keywords: Sustainability Science; Sustainability Science Research; Sustainable Development; Sustainability Education; Environment and Development; Sustainability Solutions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q01 Q56 Q57 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011-03
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cid:wpfacu:218

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