The Field of Environment and Social Sustainability Essay

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Environmental and social sustainability is a relatively new field that has gained huge attention in the recent past following the increased concerns on sustainable development because of the devastating impacts of industrial processes on the environment. This paper examines this field as an area of interest to me, especially with regards to helping human systems i.e. organizations to protect the environment and ensure social development. This reflection begins with an evaluation of different definitions of environmental and social sustainability, which culminate in the development of an operational definition of this field. The article also incorporates an evaluation of individual steps taken to refine personal vision as an internal practitioner in this field. The other important components discussed in the paper include personal vision and mission statement for working in this field, strategic plan, professional growth, personal role in the field, and the relevance of environmental and social sustainability relative to its history.

Table of Contents

Abstract

Table of Contents

Definitions of Environmental and Social Sustainability Field

My Fit Within My Field

The History of Environmental and Social Sustainability and Current Relevance

Role in Environmental and Social Sustainability

Publishing in My Field

My Mission and Vision

Professional Growth

Strategic Plan

Comprehensive Plan for Effectiveness

Conclusions and Reflections

Reference List

Definitions of Environmental and Social Sustainability Field

Environmental and social sustainability is a relatively new field with numerous job opportunities in social sciences, humanities, and sciences. The role of professionals in this field is to promote environmental protection, profitability, and social sustainability. However, there are different definitions of environmental and social sustainability because of various reasons including the emergence of this sector as a new field and the varying roles of professionals in this field. First, environmental and social sustainability is described as the adaptation and integration of preventive principles and consideration into decision making processes relating to the environment and social life (United Nations Environment Management Group, n.d.). Secondly, environmental and social sustainability is defined as establishment of safeguards to prevent and lessen unnecessary harm to the environment (United Nations Environment Management Group, n.d.). These safeguards sometimes involve a mixture of minimum standards and guidelines for best practices. Third, environmental and social sustainability is engaging in practices and development initiatives that meet the needs of the current generation without compromising the capability of future generations to meet their own needs (McKenzie, 2004).

These different definitions of environmental and social sustainability are appealing to me because they represent the varying dimensions and aspects of this profession. These definitions cover the field with regards to environmental and social components, sustainable development in organizations, and developmental initiatives across the globe. They represent the different nature and roles of professionals in this field with regards to incorporating social sciences, sciences, and humanities. Actually, these definitions are appealing because they cover the three major aspects of this field and all its related practices i.e. environmental protection, social responsibility, and profitability. The various job opportunities in the field primarily focus on these three major aspects and are covered in the three definitions.

My operational definition of environmental and social sustainability is the use of formal and informal structures, systems, procedures, and relationships to support the ability of existing and future generations to meet their needs in a healthy and less harmful manner. This operational definition addresses the three major aspects of the various responsibilities of professionals in the field regardless of their specific career paths. When the formal and informal processes, relationships, systems, and structures are used towards meeting people's needs effectively, they help in environmental protection, social responsibility and profitability by current and future generations.

My Fit Within My Field

As previously mentioned, environmental and social sustainability entails careers or job opportunities relating to science, social sciences, and humanities (Sustainable Degrees, n.d.). Professionals in this field are exposed to different career paths and options whose main goal is to promote social responsibility, environmental protection, and profitability. Generally, professionals in this field have unique roles that focus on combination of economics, environment, and social and cultural issues. In the business world, the intersection between these varying issues is commonly known as triple bottom line since it entails people, profits, and the planet. Consequently, the ability of an individual to function effectively in this field requires competence in these different issues and professions.

Therefore, job or career fit in the field of environmental and social sustainability requires suitable variables relating to personality and professional strengths. One of the strengths for job or career fit in this field is competence in sciences, social sciences, and the humanities (Sustainable Degrees, n.d.).

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This is a major strength because the various job responsibilities towards the triple bottom line require capability to handle social, environmental, cultural, and economical issues. Secondly, flexibility is a crucial personality type for job or career fit in environmental and social sustainability since there is no set or specific career path in this field (Sustainable Degrees, n.d.). This field is inter-disciplinary in nature, which results in the existence of various sustainability jobs.

I have started refining my vision for my role as a scholar or practitioner in the field of environmental sustainability by studying in different professions, particularly social sciences and humanities. Social sciences and humanities are professions that are helping me to prepare my proficiency and competence in environmental and social sustainability. In addition to building my competence, this is also helping me develop flexibility given the lack of a single set of career path in this sector. These two major aspects will help me work as a professional in environmental and social sustainability in the corporate world to focus on triple bottom line.

The History of Environmental and Social Sustainability and Current Relevance

Environmental and social sustainability is a relatively new field though sustainable development has been an issue of increased concern for a long period of time. The concept of sustainability in relation to the environment became increasingly important worldwide in 1987 after the report by the Brundtland Commission (Center for History and Economics, n.d.). However, Environmental History became increasingly important strand of discipline in the 1970s though historians have been reluctant to contribute to debates regarding sustainability. The Brundtland Commission played a crucial role in the emergence of this discipline by arguing that financial and social systems could not be separated from the environment.

The initial definitions of environmental and social sustainability were refined by the UN Conference on Environment and Development in 1992 in Rio (Edwards, 2010). The new definitions included concepts of environmental action, scientific knowledge, and environmental knowledge. The other important development in the growth of this field was the 2002 Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development, which generated the idea of sustainable production and consumption. By the beginning of the 21st Century, the science of climate change had become increasingly renowned and firmly developed. This developed the discipline because of the increased significance of environmental, social, scientific, and economic aspects in sustainable development.

The aspects of this history that remain relevant today and of interest are economic development, environmental protection, and social development since they are the three pillars of this discipline. Economic development relates to providing people and communities with what they want without compromising the quality of life whereas environmental protection entails safeguarding the environment from probable damage in the future. Social development entails using suitable strategies to maintain access to basic resources without lowering the quality of life. The two important ideas or concepts of environmental and social sustainability that I'll ensure in my practice are environmental protection and social development. With regards to social development, I'll encourage and educate people to engage in environmental sustainability and protection and dangers of failure to do so. In relation to environmental protection, I'll advocate for the use of renewable power sources while educating on strategies towards protecting ecosystems.

Role in Environmental and Social Sustainability

Similar to other fields, environmental and social sustainability has various roles, responsibilities, and job opportunities. These varying roles are attributable to the broad nature of this field and the lack of a single set of career in this sector. Some of these roles include leadership or management, research, internal practitioner, consultancy, specialty areas, and teacher. As an internal practitioner in environmental and social sustainability, the two areas of practice that most appeal to me based on my current thinking, experience, and strengths upon graduation are social development and environmental protection. These practice areas have been selected because they are some of the pillars of environmental and social sustainability.

As previously mentioned, social development entails effective and efficient access to basic resources through engaging in environmental sustainability and protection in a manner that doesn't compromise life's quality (Environmental Science, 2015). This process requires using existing legislation to prevent pollution and harmful business activities. On the other hands, environmental protection entails focusing on greener future through technologically sound business practices and other human activities. One of the major ways for achieving this is installation of renewable power sources across homes and businesses.

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