[Truncated abstract] The application of reductionism, breaking down problems to simpler components that can be solved and then aggregating the results, is one of the bases of classical science. However, living organisms, ecosystems, social and economic structures are complex systems, characterised by non-linear interactions between their elements and exhibit emergent properties that are not directly traceable to their components. Sustainability assessment frameworks oversimplify system interactions, achieving limited predictive capacity and causing managerial behavior that may reduce system's ability to adapt to external disturbance. Intrigued by the importance of complexity, we explore the central theme of how complex thinking can influence the understanding and progress towards sustainability. The purpose is to conceptualize the relationship of key terms (such as sustainability, functionality and resilience), and consecutively develop new or adjust existing sustainability frameworks to take into account complex systems interactions. We aim at developing theory and frameworks that can be used to raise awareness of the pitfalls of the growth paradigm and direct towards modest positions when managing complex systems. We seek to define the structural elements that influence system adaptive capacity, allowing identification of early signs of system rigidity or vulnerability and the development of knowledge and techniques that can improve our predictive and managerial ability. The focus has been on a variety of system scales and dynamics. At the collective community level, a number of stakeholder engagement practices and frameworks are currently available. However, there is limited awareness of the complexity challenges among stakeholders, who are commonly directed to a triple bottom line analysis aiming at maximizing a combination of outputs. An attempt is conducted to measure the functionality of the processes underlying a standing stock, in contrast to sustainability measures that only assess the variations of the standing stock itself. We develop the Index of Sustainable Functionality (ISF), a framework for the assessment of complex systems interactions within a large-scale geographic domain and apply it to the State of Western Australia. '...' Finally, we focus on smaller systems scales and develop a methodology for the calculation of Product Ecological Footprint (PEF) including elements from the accounting method of activity based costing. We calculate PEF for three apple production systems and identify significant differences from first stage calculations within the same industry. Cross-industry application will provide a practical way to link individuals' consumption with their ecological impact, reduce misperceptions of products' ecological impacts and develop a market-driven approach to internalizing environmental externalities. At the firm level PEF can be compared with investment costs, resulting in the opportunity to optimize both functions of financial cost and ecological impact in decision making. We have developed methods for incorporating complexity in sustainability assessment frameworks. Further work is required in testing and validating these methodologies at multiple system scales and conditions. Integrating such tools in decision making mechanisms will enhance long-term management of socioecological systems performance.

China has undertaken a vast engineering project: the large-scale transfer of water from the south of the country to the north, the intention being to alleviate flooding in the south and water shortages in the north. It may take up to fifty years to complete. This thesis examines the broad outline of the scheme, the planning that has gone into it, its historical and political background, and the political, social, and ecological problems that it has encountered and may be likely to cause in the future. The political context of a 'pro-technology' policy amongst today's Chinese leaders is highlighted. The Chinese study is made in the light of water-transfer schemes that have been implemented, or proposed, in other countries; and also ideas about sustainable development, policy processes, and natural resource management. Five case studies are considered: the Aral Sea (Central Asia), the Snowy Mountain Scheme (Australia), the National Hydrological Plan (Spain), the Central Arizona Project (the United States) and the South-to-North Water Transfer Project (China). They are examined as a basis for understanding policy problems and processes in water resource management, and also to make some suggestions for their resolution in the Chinese case―though finding a permanent or definitive solution lies beyond the scope of the present inquiry. The difficulties for traditional policy processes to manage uncertainty and complexity are particularly acute in the area of natural resource management. For example, climate change issues challenge present water management systems and diversion projects. Therefore, uncertainty and complexity issues, beyond the 'ideal' policy cycle, are considered, particularly in relation to climate change, but also the water diversion schemes themselves. Climate change presents a particularly important challenge to the Chinese Project.

The ecological crisis, recognized by scientists as well as an increasing number of lay people urges a response from a variety of disciplines. The consideration of sustainability requires the help of a variety of disciplines, including anthropology, which can contribute an ability to identify cultural patterns that impede cultural change towards sustainability, skills to describe culturally appropriate responses to situations, and capabilities to cultivate changes in lifestyles as aspired to by the group. I tell the story of three groups focused on sustainable communities. I narrate these with a postmodern approach. In the case studies, I combined techniques from applied anthropology (rapid appraisal, participant observation, focus groups, and interviews) with postmodern techniques (consideration of context, shared authority, multi-vocality, and co-creative ethnography). This study explores the effectiveness of facilitating changes through the use of anthropology and empowering participants so they can continue to make changes. The study also explores the effectiveness of combining applied and postmodern techniques. One example of this, and the hallmark of the project, is the photographic, co-creative ethnography, which, representing the work of one local group, invited imagined future sustainable lifestyles, and continued to build community bonds between participants. The collaborative ethnography engaged individuals in the ethnographic process, inviting them to contribute their voices and images. In the case studies, I explored questions such as what are cultural obstacles to living a sustainable lifestyle, what specific cultural strengths can foster an ecological identity, and what can applied anthropology offer non-governmental organizations working on similar topics? I also explore emic definitions of what is the community, what are its needs, and what is sustainability? Further, objectives include reinvigorating community bonds, testing the assumption that public participation in the process is more effective than a process dictated by an outside expert, and exploring the dual role of participant and researcher. I compared the two local case studies of communities of interest in community and sustainability with a national organization working similarly towards sustainability. After analysis of my research questions, I discuss the potential for the applied anthropologist as midwife based on my experiences with the case studies. The applied anthropologist attempts to respond to local level concerns and issues about the environment and reducing human impact, while building community. The action-oriented approach is similar to that of a midwife, which facilitates empowerment of the community involved to birth a more ecological identity. The approach has eight phases (recognition of a need, contact, dialogue, definition of needs, definition of the community, developing a plan of action, implementation, and evaluation), which provide opportunities for changes to occur in the behaviors and beliefs of the participants. The approach incorporates systems thinking to comprehend complex situations and to bring systematic approach to the process. The applied anthropologist as midwife fosters development of a sustainable community identity through the unique process. / Graduation date: 2003

China has undertaken a vast engineering project: the large-scale transfer of water from the south of the country to the north, the intention being to alleviate flooding in the south and water shortages in the north. It may take up to fifty years to complete. This thesis examines the broad outline of the scheme, the planning that has gone into it, its historical and political background, and the political, social, and ecological problems that it has encountered and may be likely to cause in the future. The political context of a 'pro-technology' policy amongst today's Chinese leaders is highlighted. The Chinese study is made in the light of water-transfer schemes that have been implemented, or proposed, in other countries; and also ideas about sustainable development, policy processes, and natural resource management. Five case studies are considered: the Aral Sea (Central Asia), the Snowy Mountain Scheme (Australia), the National Hydrological Plan (Spain), the Central Arizona Project (the United States) and the South-to-North Water Transfer Project (China). They are examined as a basis for understanding policy problems and processes in water resource management, and also to make some suggestions for their resolution in the Chinese case―though finding a permanent or definitive solution lies beyond the scope of the present inquiry. The difficulties for traditional policy processes to manage uncertainty and complexity are particularly acute in the area of natural resource management. For example, climate change issues challenge present water management systems and diversion projects. Therefore, uncertainty and complexity issues, beyond the 'ideal' policy cycle, are considered, particularly in relation to climate change, but also the water diversion schemes themselves. Climate change presents a particularly important challenge to the Chinese Project.

International evidence clearly indicates that water shortages and the enhanced value attached to water and aquatic ecosystems are key concerns faced by many countries. International experience, since the mid-1980s, has emphasised the importance of addressing political, social, environmental and economic issues through active stakeholder participation in riverine and water resource management. These trends and issues are relevant to South Africa, where integrated water resource management (IWRM) is now a cornerstone of water resource policy and the National Water Act (NWA). Apartheid excluded communities in former homelands (racial reserves) from participation in IWRM. The research presented in this thesis was based on the search for philosophies and methods to involve the rural, former homeland people of the Kat River Valley in South Africa in IWRM. Post-modern, humanist and some logical positivist geographical philosophies were used during the research. This research applied Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) philosophy and methods and was influenced by the seminal work of Paolo Freire (1972). In addition, the use of innovative methods for engagement of the oppressed, using theatre methods developed by Augusto Boal (1995, 2000) was explored to add value to PRA. In addition, the application of Action Research ensured that community participants were actively involved in the research being conducted for this thesis. The applied research in the Kat River Valley in South Africa evolved through three key phases. In Phase One quantifiable data on the Kat River Valley and its residents was sought. This investigation did not empower the resident communities of Fairbairn and Hertzog – a lesson that influenced the move to more participatory methods in subsequent phases of the research. Lessons learned from using surveys encouraged exploration of participatory methods to enable participants to become “co-learners”. Phase Two of the research commenced with a series of feedback meetings, in which participants recognised that they faced an environmental crisis. Through a series of participatory workshops, residents came to acknowledge and affirm their environmental knowledge. Residents then committed themselves to gaining a deeper understanding of their environment and their lives. My role changed from that of a researcher to a facilitator. Phase Three of the research and the shift to Action Research commenced after local residents identified the need to personally take charge of their environmental challenges in the Kat River Valley and recognised the need to collaborate at a catchment scale for effective IWRM. This eventually led to the formation of a Water User Association and Catchment Forum. The key theoretical contribution of the thesis relates to the identified relationship between the development orientation and ecological paradigm, and an assessment of the impact this has on the inputs, processes, outputs and outcomes of IWRM. This theoretical contribution is equally valid in other countries, where the tradeoffs are essentially the same, but the framework for making the choices is different because of varying socio-economic and biophysical circumstances

South Africa is recognised as one of the megadiverse nations of the world. In recent years, the South African Government has prioritised human needs, without adequately safeguarding the country’s natural resources. Biodiversity is the living fabric of our planet, responsible for human health, well-being and ultimately, the preservation of the environment. It is the Government’s responsibility to ensure that processes and policy frameworks recognise the significance of biodiversity and its role in ensuring a sustainable future for the country while at the same time ensuring essential services delivery to its people. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of environmental governance on biodiversity management at the local government level in South Africa. The study was conducted in three Metropolitan Municipalities in South Africa. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire from officials of these municipalities. Variables that were assessed include capacity assessment, intergovernmental relations, budget and biodiversity management. Interviews were conducted with the Heads of the environmental departments of the municipalities. A review of the defining national and international environmental law was conducted to evaluate the transformation, challenges and successes of biodiversity mangement at the local government level in South Africa. The results of this study highlight the challenges faced by local governments in implementing biodiversity management such as capacity constraints, lack of resources and the absence of a biodiversity mandate at the local government sphere. Integrating biodiversity management at the local level will only be possible through more robust policy development, stronger cooperation and communication among the different levels of government, as well as enhanced capacity (skills) and resource provision in the municipalities. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Science)

Given the livelihoods challenges which face many rural communities, understanding a community’s livelihoods dynamics and opportunities is one major step to developing workable options to address the challenges. This study has focused on one rural community and used the five determinants of the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach to describe the livelihoods situation in Embui sub-location in Machakos County, Kenya. Residents of Embui have had to deal with the fact that traditional production systems are not sufficient to provide for their livelihoods needs. The community and continues to be challenged by limited capital for diversifying income sources, low skills and limited social and economic services. This study recommends support to marketing of locally produced artifacts, improved access to capital and provision of water for irrigation along with extension services as the key areas of support to improve the living standards of the residents of Embui / Development Studies / M.A. (Development Studies)

Die voorbestaan van die mensdom is nou verweef met die toestand waarin die omgewing verkeer. Menslike aktiwiteite het 'n groot impak op die omgewing, terwyl die omgewing weer die mens se lewensgehalte bepaal. Hierdie studie is dan daarop gemik om deur omgewingsopvoeding, die mens te lei tot omgewingsgesonde gedrag met die oog op volhoubare ontwikkeling. Ten einde hierin te slaag, word die verskillende omgewingsprobleme en die redes daarvoor eers uitgeklaar. Daarna word die faktore wat tot omgewingsagteruitgang kan lei, ondersoek. Hieruit blyk duidelik <lat die wereld en die RSA, in die toekoms digter bevolk, meer besoedel, ekologies minder stabiel en daarom meer gevoelig vir natuurrampe gaan word. Soos uit die proefskrif sal blyk kan omgewingsopvoeding 'n positiewe bydrae tot bierdie omgewingsprobleme lewer. Om daarby uit te kom word daar dus eers 'n kort bistoriese oorsig van omgewingsopvoeding gegee. Die rol en bydrae wat enkele internasionale organisasies tot omgewingsbewustheid gelewer het, word ondersoek. Daar word 'n oorsig gegee van verwikkelinge in die RSA en die invloed van die Aardeberaad op omgewingsopvoeding in die RSA, word ontleed. Ten einde outentieke omgewingsopvoeding te vergestalt word aanvaar <lat die mens met sy geboorte in 'n wereld gewerp word waaraan hy slegs met sy dood kan ontsnap. In hierdie gesitueerdheid in die wereld as leefnrimte, moet hy sin aan sy bestaan gee, terwyl hy ook 'n poging moet aanwend om die omgewing te verbeter, as voorsorg vir die oorlewing van toekomstige geslagte. Met inagneming van die opvoedings- en omgewingsrelasie waarin die mens tot sy omgewing staan, word die essensiele kenmerke van omgewingsopvoeding blootgele, ten einde moontlikheidsvoorwaardes te stel vir outentieke omgewingsopvoeding. Besondere Idem word gele op omgewingsgedrag wat volhoubaarheid nastreef. Dit alles kulmineer in omgewingsgesonde gedrag wat as oorkoepelende doelstelling vir omgewingsopvoeding gestel word. Omdat die mens se gedrag teenoor die omgewing bepaal word deur sy omgewingsetiek, word drie verskillende benaderings tot omgewingsetiek onderskei. Klem word gele op die noodsaak van omgewingsgeletterdheid. Ten einde die mens se optrede teenoor die omgewing te probeer verstaan, word drie omgewingsgedragstyle ontleed. Twee wetenskaplike aardgenese-hipoteses word beskryf vir verdere duidelikheid oor omgewingsgedrag. Aan die einde van die studie, word enkele beginsels gestel wat kan lei tot die ontwikkeling van omgewingsgesonde gedrag met die oog op volhoubare voortbestaan. / Mankind's survival is interwoven with the state of the environment. Human activities have a great impact on the environment, while the environment, again, determines the quality of man's life. This study aims to aid mankind, through environmental education, to environmentally sound behaviour with an eye on sustainable development. To attain this, the different environmental problems and their causes, are sorted out first. Then the factors that can lead to environmental degradation are investigated. From this it is quite clear that in the future, the world and the RSA will be more densely populated, become more polluted, be ecologically less stable and will therefore be more sensitive to natural disasters. Because environmental education can make a positive contribution to this, a short historical survey of environmental education is given. The role and contribution of some international organisations is investigated. Developments in the RSA are surveyed and the influence of the Earth Summit on environmental education in the RSA is analysed. At birth, mankind is thrown into a world from where he can escape only at death. In this world in which he has to stay, he must give meaning to his existence, while also trying to improve the environment to guarantee the survival of coming generations. Bearing in mind the educational and environmental relationship between any human being and his environment, the essential characteristics of environmental education are exposed in order to set possible conditions for authentic environmental education. Special emphasis is placed on environmental behaviour aimed at sustainablility. All this culminates in environmentally sound behaviour that acts as the overall aim for environmental education. Because man's environmental ethic determines his behaviour towards the environment, three different approaches to environmental ethics are distinguished. Emphasis is placed on the necessity for environmental literacy. In order to try to understand man's behaviour towards the environment, three styles of environmental behaviour are analysed. For further clarification of environmental behaviour, two scientific earth genesis hipotheses are also described. In conclusion, this study leads to certain principles that can lead to the development of environmentally sound behaviour aimed at the sustainable survival of mankind. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Filosofie van die Opvoeding)

Trata-se de estudo da força normativa do direito constitucional de todos ao meio ambiente ecologicamente equilibrado para a construção de uma cultura de equilíbrio ambiental no Brasil, integrante da linha de pesquisa Direito Ambiental e Novos Direitos, área de concentração Direito Ambiental e Sociedade, do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Direito, nível de Mestrado acadêmico, da Universidade de Caxias do Sul (Brasil). O meio ambiente ecologicamente equilibrado, que é direito transindividual, é bem de uso comum do povo e essencial à sadia qualidade de vida, incumbindo ao Poder Público e da coletividade o dever de defendê-lo e preservá-lo para as presentes e futuras gerações. O novo paradigma constitucional do direito de propriedade privada condiciona o exercício do domínio à função social e à função ambiental da propriedade. Por isso, o Estado não mais defende qualquer propriedade, mas aquela que cumpre a sua função social e ambiental. A democracia participativa ambiental, por meio de seus vários instrumentos, garante às cidadãs e aos cidadãos a participação ativa na construção de uma cultura de equilíbrio ambiental no Brasil. A educação ambiental tem especial importância para criar em todos os partícipes da vida nacional a consciência da vontade de Constituição. A informação ambiental completa a educação ambiental. Tendo presente os pressupostos da força normativa da Constituição (Konrad Hesse), o estudo constata que, quanto ao conteúdo, a Constituição é atual, e quanto à práxis, o direito constitucional de todos ao meio ambiente ecologicamente equilibrado está tendo força normativa para a construção de uma cultura de equilíbrio ambiental no Brasil. / Submitted by Marcelo Teixeira (mvteixeira@ucs.br) on 2014-06-03T18:03:31Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Paulo Natalicio Weschenfelder.pdf: 1244233 bytes, checksum: bb6b7d4352b1bbe5ba0e65055e354b37 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-03T18:03:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Paulo Natalicio Weschenfelder.pdf: 1244233 bytes, checksum: bb6b7d4352b1bbe5ba0e65055e354b37 (MD5) / This is a study of the normative force of everyone´s constitutional right to an ecologically balanced environment in order to build a culture of environmental balance in Brazil, belonging to Environmental Law and New Rights research line, main field Enviromental and Social Law, of Post-Graduate Program in Law, for Master degree obtention, University of Caxias do Sul (Brazil). The ecologically balanced environment, which is a transindividual right, is a people´s common use and essential to a healthy quality of life, commissioning the Government and the collectivity to defend it and preserve it for the current and future generations. The new constitutional right to private property paradigm affects the exercise on the field of the social function and environmental function of the property. Therefore, the State no longer maintains any property, but one that fulfills its social and environmental function. Environmental participatory democracy, through its various instruments, guarantees to citizens the right to participate actively in building a culture of environmental balance in Brazil. Environmental education has particular importance for all participants in the national life consciousness of the will of the Constitution. Environmental information completes environmental education. Bearing in mind the assumptions of the normative force of the Constitution (Konrad Hesse), the study notes that, in substance, the Constitution is modern, and what about práxis, the everyone´s constitutional right to an ecologically balanced environment is having normative force for building a culture of environmental balance in Brazil.

As dragagens no Porto do Rio Grande / RS são consideradas potencialmente poluidoras e geram uma crescente instabilidade nos ecossistemas, costeiro e marinho da região, devido à complexidade para efetivar o seu procedimento. Por outro lado, desempenham importante papel para a expansão do setor portuário, o qual contribui intensamente com o crescimento econômico do país. Apesar da existência de uma ampla legislação que versa sobre a proteção ao meio ambiente nas áreas portuárias, ainda são visualizados inúmeros problemas ambientais nessa seara. Diante o fato, esta dissertação responde ao seguinte problema: A aplicação da política deliberativa é a melhor proposta para amenizar as problemáticas ambientais decorrentes das atividades de dragagem no Porto do Rio Grande/RS? O método hipotético-dedutivo foi o abordado. A ênfase foi à analítica, através de levantamento documental com base em fontes legislativas e documentos em geral. O foco principal através da pesquisa bibliográfica foi de selecionar publicações sobre o tema, tais como: livros, artigos científicos e um aprofundamento maior nos autores já utilizados na pesquisa. Como resultado, percebeu-se a necessidade do despertar de uma cidadania ativa em prol da proteção ambiental como a melhor forma para reverter os modelos impostos pelo sistema capitalista, o qual fracassou em sua promessa de vincular crescimento econômico e a proteção da natureza. Portanto, a criação das normas deve ser objeto de deliberação para que seu alcance não abarque apenas os interesses de uma minoria que detêm o poder. / Submitted by Ana Guimarães Pereira (agpereir@ucs.br) on 2017-02-16T17:30:38Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Thais Alves da Silveira.pdf: 1991006 bytes, checksum: 17919b09c347d1053ba01d5781079510 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-02-16T17:30:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Thais Alves da Silveira.pdf: 1991006 bytes, checksum: 17919b09c347d1053ba01d5781079510 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-02-16 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, CAPES. / The dredging of Rio Grande/RS Port is considered potentially polluting and generate an increased instability on coastal and marine ecosystems in the region due to the complexity to perform its procedure. On the other hand, it plays an important role in the expansion of the sector, which strongly contributes to the economic growth of the country. Despite the existence of a wide legislation, that deals with the protection of the environment in port areas, there are still displayed numerous problems about that topic. For that reason, this dissertation aimed at answering the following problem: Is the application of deliberative politics the best approach to mitigate the environmental problems arising from dredging activities in the Port of Rio Grande / RS? The hypothetical-deductive method was approached. The emphasis was analytical, through documentary review based on legislative sources and documents in general. The main focus through the literature research was to select publications on the subject, such as books, papers with a greater deepening in the most important authors used in this research. As a result, it was cognized that the awakening of an active citizenship in favor of environmental protection is required as the best way to reverse the models imposed by the capitalist system, which failed in its promise to link economic growth and the protection of nature. Therefore, the creation of the standards should be the deliberation subject so that its scope encompasses not only the stakes of a minority in power.