Systems integration for global sustainability

• Published in: Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 2015-02, Vol.347 (6225), p.963-963
• Main Authors: Liu, Jianguo, Mooney, Harold, Hull, Vanessa, Davis, Steven J., Gaskell, Joanne, Hertel, Thomas, Lubchenco, Jane, Seto, Karen C., Gleick, Peter, Kremen, Claire, Li, Shuxin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Boundaries; Ecological monitoring; Ecology; Economics; Environmental impact; Environmental Influences; Joining; Network Analysis; Policies; REVIEW SUMMARY; Sustainability; Systems integration; Water
• ISSN: 0036-8075; 1095-9203
• DOI: 10.1126/science.1258832

Without sustainable solutions, the world's most pressing environmental concerns will continue to persist or worsen. Achieving the goal of sustainability involves so many factors—from economics to ecology—that investigating one or even a handful of variables at a time often overlooks major parts of the problem. Liu et al. review systems-based approaches that are beginning to provide tenable ways to assess sustainability. Further integrating coupled human and natural components of a problem across multiple dimensions, including how one solution can create unintended consequences elsewhere, is essential for developing effective policies that seek global sustainability. Science , this issue 10.1126/science.1258832 Global sustainability challenges, from maintaining biodiversity to providing clean air and water, are closely interconnected yet often separately studied and managed. Systems integration—holistic approaches to integrating various components of coupled human and natural systems—is critical to understand socioeconomic and environmental interconnections and to create sustainability solutions. Recent advances include the development and quantification of integrated frameworks that incorporate ecosystem services, environmental footprints, planetary boundaries, human-nature nexuses, and telecoupling. Although systems integration has led to fundamental discoveries and practical applications, further efforts are needed to incorporate more human and natural components simultaneously, quantify spillover systems and feedbacks, integrate multiple spatial and temporal scales, develop new tools, and translate findings into policy and practice. Such efforts can help address important knowledge gaps, link seemingly unconnected challenges, and inform policy and management decisions.