The last few years have seen a well-publicized decline in democracies around the world. Research from Ohio State University suggests, however, that regardless of the nature of governance, few countries actually do well by their citizens.
The study found that while 67% of countries were able to provide water in a safe and sustainable way, just 6% were ecologically sustainable in terms of both water consumption and carbon sequestration.
“For a country to be self-sufficient, its population needs access to food, water and energy, resources that can often only be provided by the surrounding ecosystem. Yet because human activities tend to cause unintended side effects like global warming or ozone depletion,” the researchers explain.
“It’s imperative that experts look for ways to develop society in an ecologically sustainable manner. At the same time, in order to be socially just, countries need to secure resources to meet the basic needs of all of its citizens.”
Ecological ceiling
The study devised its framework by drawing upon the renowned framework of planetary boundaries and the concept of a “safe and just operating space.” This approach defines a country’s ecological ceiling, representing the boundaries within which human activities must operate to minimize the risk of inflicting irreversible harm upon the Earth.
The ultimate goal is for human activities to align harmoniously between the limits of a society’s ecological ceiling and its social foundation. The social foundation serves as a boundary delineating the essential resources required to prevent critical human deprivation, encompassing aspects such as access to food, water, and energy.
By striving to exist within this realm, societies can navigate toward a sustainable equilibrium that ensures both environmental preservation and human well-being.
“If you are exceeding the ecological ceiling, then you’re not sustainable from an environmental perspective,” the authors explain. “If you’re below the social foundation, then you’re not meeting basic human needs, and that can be frustrating from an equity point of view.”
Sustainable practices
Utilizing up-to-date water and carbon sequestration data from reputable sources like the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and other international agencies, the researchers undertook a comprehensive analysis of how the requirements of 178 nations worldwide aligned with the capacities of their respective ecosystems.
The findings revealed that a significant majority of countries surpass their national ecosystems’ thresholds when it comes to carbon emissions, exerting a strain on the environment. However, most countries tend to operate close to the limits of their water supply.
In some cases, countries face limitations beyond their control. The study indicated that 37% of nations lack the ability to adequately cater to their citizens’ needs concerning carbon sequestration, while 10% face similar challenges with regard to water availability.
It is worth noting that the ability of countries to meet the sustainable needs of their populations is not solely determined by their socioeconomic status. Variances in this regard often stem from how a nation manages its supply and demand dynamics.
Safe levels
For instance, Canada, as a vast and prosperous country with a relatively small population, possesses abundant natural resources such as forests and lakes, which can effectively capture carbon. Given its resource abundance, Canada’s consumption levels align with the safe and just limits outlined in the framework.
Conversely, countries like Gabon, despite being economically less affluent, possess significant natural capital that can support activities aimed at improving human well-being.
On the other hand, countries in the Middle East, North Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa face challenges in meeting the safe and just requirements for carbon due to the scarcity of vegetation necessary for carbon sequestration. Consequently, these nations may need to rely more on carbon capture technologies and global trade to address their carbon emissions.
While the study’s findings may appear daunting, the researchers believe that their work offers a glimmer of hope in mitigating the environmental risks associated with human development. The results suggest that many nations could achieve the resources they need to thrive by significantly reducing their current levels of demand.
Sustainability transition
This can be accomplished through various measures, such as adopting renewable energy sources, integrating plant-based diets into food cycles, and transitioning from a linear economic model to a sustainable circular economy when producing goods and services.
Moreover, the researchers propose that integrating the framework into technology, policy, and trade decisions, particularly in future engineering projects, could guide nations toward meeting their needs in a more safe and equitable manner. By implementing such strategies, there is potential for substantial progress in addressing the environmental challenges posed by human development.
“From a positive perspective, our work provides opportunities for engineers and other professions to innovate and come up with new ways of doing things right,” the researchers conclude. “Whoever is going to figure that out is going to be the future of a more sustainable and just world.”
