TU's Fath offers different "foundations for sustainability"

By Brian Fath, Ph.D.

Perhaps it is fitting that the fourth National Climate Assessment Report was released on Black Friday, as consumerism is a large part of why the findings point to a potentially dark future for the planet.

Issued by the United States Global Change Research Program, the report compiles scientific assessments from numerous federal agencies and addresses the impacts and risks of climate change in the U.S.

It lays bare the concern that climate change is not a concern only for the future, citing billions of dollars already lost in profits and productivity as well as property damage due to sea level rise. Its effects are expected to touch areas like the economy, human health, water supply, agriculture, ecosystems, oceans and tourism.

It is important to keep in mind that climate change—like most environmental problems—is a symptom of a deeper imbalance with the human–nature relationship.

However, efforts we take now can still determine which pathways we choose and which symptoms we experience.

In my recently published book—co-authored with Dan Fiscus—Foundations for Sustainability: A Coherent Framework of Life-Environment Relations, we provide insight into a new way of thinking that focuses on a holistic, multi-model view of life and the environment. We argue the current simplistic, reductionist approach is partially responsible for the global environmental problems we currently face. 

Our book aims to challenge the mainstream view and presents a roadmap for the reform of current thinking, presenting the case for a multi-model view of life on earth. Through describing better basic science and applied science results, we hope to increase the understanding of what is needed to achieve a world that is both environmentally and economically sustainable.

The findings within the book are important for governments and policymakers working toward sustainability. 

We propose six principles of holistic life science we consider vital to reestablishing the balance between humans and nature that is based on lessons Dan and I have learned from our own work in ecological network analysis and systems ecology. For example, our ability to model and understand complex life systems echoes the call of the report which seeks better knowledge and management to find win-win outcomes.

This story is one of several related to President Kim Schatzel’s priorities for Towson University: TU Matters to Maryland.