abstract: ABSTRACT Understanding complex and adaptive socio-ecological systems (SES) to deal with our most challenging and overlapping problems such as global climate change, biodiversity loss, and rising consumption rates requires sustainability theory that is commensurate with these problems’ size and complexity. The received United Nations-based sustainability framework aims to achieve a balance among three pillars—economics, environment, and social equity—for today and for future generations. Yet, despite applying this sustainability framework for over a quarter of a century, the Earth is less sustainable, not more. Theoretical trade-offs between environmental conservation and economic growth have often reinforced business-as-usual practices and educational paradigms, and emphasized economic values over ecological limits. How can the principles of foundational naturalists help clarify, enhance, and advance sustainability discourse? I propose that the principles of Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862), Aldo Leopold (1887-1948), Rachel Carson (1907-1964), and Edward O. Wilson (1927-), express a worldview that captures and integrates a range and depth of historical, normative, economic, ecological, scientific, and social values for a viable and applicable discourse of sustainability. This analytical study relies on (i.) textual analysis and interpretation of four key naturalists and humanists, (ii.) analysis of secondary sources that illuminate their proto- ecological and sustainability principles, and (iii.) interviews with leading sustainability scholars. Because these thinkers integrate science and ethics, natural history and philosophy, ecology and society, and environmental and economic problems within a holistic worldview, I call them systems naturalists. Their transdisciplinary worldview of one holistic system, with economics subordinated to environmental limits, links important values from the natural sciences and the humanities. The writings and examples of systems naturalists provide more robust historical sustainability principles that can help solve our most challenging SES problems by synthesizing a broad range of knowledge in the sciences, social sciences, and the humanities to inform sustainability paradigm, practices, and pedagogy. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Sustainability 2015

abstract: Avian influenzas are zoonoses, or pathogens borne by wildlife and livestock that can also infect people. In recent decades, and especially since the emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in 1996, these diseases have become a significant threat to animal and public health across the world. HPAI H5N1 has caused severe damage to poultry populations, killing, or prompting the culling of, millions of birds in Asia, Africa, and Europe. It has also infected hundreds of people, with a mortality rate of approximately 50%. This dissertation focuses on the ecological and socioeconomic drivers of avian influenza risk, particularly in China, the most populous country to be infected. Among the most significant ecological risk factors are landscapes that serve as “mixing zones” for wild waterfowl and poultry, such as rice paddy, and nearby lakes and wetlands that are important breeding and wintering habitats for wild birds. Poultry outbreaks often involve cross infections between wild and domesticated birds. At the international level, trade in live poultry can spread the disease, especially if the imports are from countries not party to trade agreements with well-developed biosecurity standards. However, these risks can be mitigated in a number of ways. Protected habitats, such as Ramsar wetlands, can segregate wild bird and poultry populations, thereby lowering the chance of interspecies transmission. The industrialization of poultry production, while not without ethical and public health problems, can also be risk-reducing by causing wild-domestic segregation and allowing for the more efficient application of surveillance, vaccination, and other biosecurity measures. Disease surveillance is effective at preventing the spread of avian influenza, including across international borders. Economic modernization in general, as reflected in rising per-capita GDP, appears to mitigate avian influenza risks at both the national and sub-national levels. Poultry vaccination has been effective in many cases, but is an incomplete solution because of the practical difficulties of sustained and widespread implementation. The other popular approach to avian influenza control is culling, which can be highly expensive and raise ethical concerns about large-scale animal slaughter. Therefore, it is more economically efficient, and may even be more ethical, to target the socio-ecological drivers of avian influenza risks, including by implementing the policies discussed here. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Biology 2018

Abstract Today's society is developing towards a more conscious and dedicated attitude concerning the need for sustainable businesses. To ensure that the construction business who is responsible for massive impacts to environment and the society, the legislation demanding sustainability reporting has been passed in the EU. The purpose of this legislation is to force companies to include the environmental and social aspects of their operations and not just the economic. The purpose of this study is therefore to investigate how the construction companies in Sweden has been affected due to the legislation on sustainability reporting. The aim of this study is, through a qualitative working method, to answer which governing instruments the construction companies use in order to implement sustainability in the entire organisation on a day to day basis. The study has investigated four construction companies largely based in and around the three biggest cities in Sweden, Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö. The interviewees in each company has a role in which they are involved in the strategic operations towards sustainability. The aim is here for the study to answer which governing instruments has been the most influential and successful. The results of the study reveals that beyond the legislation each company has a very different approach and layout concerning the sustainability reporting. The reason for this is because each company has different guidelines through frameworks and certification standards. Depending on what they consider to be vital elements to report, the reportings differ leading to different forms of governing throughout the companies. This also shows that the most successful governing instruments differ as well. Although the study concludes that the companies have mutual governing instruments in the form of education for the employees to enhance competence. It also shows that they all use instruments impacting employee values which leads to a comprehensible understanding of the company’s visions and guidelines.

Submitted by KEILA CÁSSIA SANTOS ARAÚJO null (keilacaraujo@hotmail.com) on 2016-06-01T18:21:45Z No. of bitstreams: 1 KEILA_TESE_DEFINITIVA_PDF.pdf: 42830949 bytes, checksum: 2119cf312f3fac7a768974d4a27c0220 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ana Paula Grisoto (grisotoana@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-06-02T16:19:43Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 araujo_kcs_dr_rcla.pdf: 42841455 bytes, checksum: a3909dde61766e2dcbd3e6588af62c6f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T16:19:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 araujo_kcs_dr_rcla.pdf: 42841455 bytes, checksum: a3909dde61766e2dcbd3e6588af62c6f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-04-15 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / A pesquisa foi desenvolvida em assentamentos rurais da reforma agrária paulista, localizados no município de Teodoro Sampaio, na porção oeste do estado de São Paulo, região denominada Pontal do Paranapanema. Essa região possui características peculiares, especialmente, devido ao histórico de devastação de florestas, grilagem, concentração de terras e luta de movimentos sociais do campo. Atualmente, a região conta com poucos fragmentos florestais, o pouco que restou da Grande Reserva do Pontal, que se constituem no Parque Estadual Morro do Diabo, extensas áreas de monocultura da agroindústria canavieira e com muitos assentamentos rurais. Partindo dessa realidade, objetivou-se compreender e analisar a multifuncionalidade da paisagem rural, nas áreas dos assentamentos rurais, no entorno da unidade de conservação Parque Estadual Morro do Diabo e da usina de cana Alcídia. Para a coleta de dados, foram utilizadas abordagens quantitativas e qualitativas, utilizando-se da aplicação de questionários semiestruturados e de entrevistas, dentre outras ferramentas e técnicas metodológicas. Os questionários foram formados por blocos fechados, com questões relacionadas às expressões da multifuncionalidade concernentes à preservação dos recursos naturais e da paisagem rural, à reprodução socioeconômica das famílias, à segurança alimentar e à manutenção do tecido social. Buscou-se compreender, por meio de entrevistas, as percepções e interpretações dos assentados e de outros entrevistados do IPÊ e ITESP a respeito das transformações e impactos na paisagem ao longo de suas vivências, conhecimento e utilização de práticas agrícolas sustentáveis no local, assistência técnica e extensão rural, as relações dos assentados com a unidade de conservação e a usina de cana-de-açúcar, o entendimento sobre as funções e serviços ecossistêmicos provenientes do PEMD, modos de valoração da paisagem, mudanças e permanências no local e ainda questões referentes ao processo de luta pela conquista da terra. Os resultados foram apresentados em gráficos, seguidos das falas dos agricultores e demais entrevistados com os relatos sobre a percepção destes relacionados à paisagem rural. Verificou-se que os assentamentos rurais abrangem as quatro expressões da multifuncionalidade, no tocante à preservação dos recursos naturais, segurança alimentar, reprodução socioeconômica e manutenção do tecido social. No entanto, essas expressões se apresentaram de maneira diferenciada nas áreas avaliadas, sendo mais evidentes e efetivas no entorno do Parque Estadual Morro do Diabo. / The research was conducted in rural settlements of São Paulo agrarian reform, in the municipality of Teodoro Sampaio, in the western portion of the state of São Paulo, Pontal do Paranapanema region called. This region has unique characteristics, especially due to the historical devastation of forests, land grabbing, land concentration and struggle of social movements. Currently, the region has few forest fragments, what little was left of the Grande Reserva do Pontal, which constitute State Park Morro do Diabo, large areas of monoculture of sugar cane industry and many rural settlements. Based on this reality, the objective was to understand and analyze the multifunctionality of the countryside in the areas of rural settlements in the vicinity of the protected area Morro do Diabo State Park and usine of cane Alcídia. To collect data quantitative and qualitative approaches were used, using the application of semi-structured questionnaires and interviews, among other technical research and methodological techniques. Questionnaires were formed by closed blocks with issues related to expressions of multifunctionality concerning the conservation of natural resources and the countryside, socioeconomic reproduction of families, food security and maintaining the social fabric. He sought to understand through interviews perceptions and interpretations of the settlers and others interviewed the IPE and ITESP, about the changes and impacts on the landscape along their experiences, knowledge and use of sustainable agricultural practices in place, technical assistance and rural extension the relations of the settlers to the conservation unit and the sugar cane plant, the understanding of the ecosystem functions and services from PEMD, valuation modes of landscape changes and stays in place and still issues about the process of struggle for land. The results were presented in graphs, followed by speeches of farmers and other respondents to the reports on the perception of these related to the countryside. It was found that the rural settlements cover the four expressions of multifunctionality, concerning the preservation of natural resources, food security, socio-economic reproduction and maintenance of the social fabric. However, these expressions are presented differently in the evaluated areas, being more evident and effective in the vicinity of Morro do Diabo State Park.

abstract: Land transformation under conditions of rapid urbanization has significantly altered the structure and functioning of Earth's systems. Land fragmentation, a characteristic of land transformation, is recognized as a primary driving force in the loss of biological diversity worldwide. However, little is known about its implications in complex urban settings where interaction with social dynamics is intense. This research asks: How do patterns of land cover and land fragmentation vary over time and space, and what are the socio-ecological drivers and consequences of land transformation in a rapidly growing city? Using Metropolitan Phoenix as a case study, the research links pattern and process relationships between land cover, land fragmentation, and socio-ecological systems in the region. It examines population growth, water provision and institutions as major drivers of land transformation, and the changes in bird biodiversity that result from land transformation. How to manage socio-ecological systems is one of the biggest challenges of moving towards sustainability. This research project provides a deeper understanding of how land transformation affects socio-ecological dynamics in an urban setting. It uses a series of indices to evaluate land cover and fragmentation patterns over the past twenty years, including land patch numbers, contagion, shapes, and diversities. It then generates empirical evidence on the linkages between land cover patterns and ecosystem properties by exploring the drivers and impacts of land cover change. An interdisciplinary approach that integrates social, ecological, and spatial analysis is applied in this research. Findings of the research provide a documented dataset that can help researchers study the relationship between human activities and biotic processes in an urban setting, and contribute to sustainable urban development. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Sustainability 2013

Trade unions and environmental movements are often seen as political opponents most prominently discussed in the form of the "jobs vs. environment dilemma". Based on historical examples of the conflict relations between trade unions and environmental groups in the Austrian energy sector, this paper showcases how the relationship between the two groups has changed from enmity to first attempts at alliance building. Drawing from analysis of union documents and problem-centred interviews conducted with Austrian unionists, it shows that newly emerging alliances between unions and environmental movements contain the seeds for a broad societal movement that can help overcome the paradigm of growth and actively engage in the creation of policies that support a social-ecological transformation.

Global change is substantially led by greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions (Ruddiman, 2013). In Brazil, the largest emission rates come from the forestry & land-use change sector, which historically accounts for more than half of Brazil’s emissions (SEEG, 2016a). Within the Legal Amazon, deforestation is the main driver of land-use change (TerraClass, 2014). Furthermore, Amazon-based settlements, established by Brazil’s Land Reform, play an important role in this process, as 28.6% of all Amazon deforestation stemmed from this type of land property in 2016 alone (Azevedo et al, 2016). Even though public policies aim at curbing this source of land-clearing, they often fail to achieve this goal. Hence, this thesis will analyse why policies do not efficiently prevent clear-cutting in Amazon-based settlements. This analysis is done through a multilevel comparison between political priorities and local perceptions on deforestation. The inquiry relies on text analysis to assess the Land Reform as a land-use policy and the Forest Code as a deforestation policy. It further summarizes the impressions of local family farmers collected in the fieldwork. Then it compares both results to understand why policies fail to fully curb deforestation. The main conclusion is that policies fail because they are erratic, they do not sufficiently take into account the social aspects of deforestation and they do not promote resilience in local communities. The geographical scope of the case-study is western Pará state, in which 30.8% of all deforestation occur in Amazon-based settlements (Ibidem). It is in Pará where the case-study takes place, namely the PAS Project carried out by the Amazon Environmental Research Institute. The main contribution of this thesis is to adopt a socio-ecological systems approach to compare policy priorities to local case-study results and to emphasize the interlinkages between income-generation and land-clearing.

Home environment and family lifestyle practices have an influence on child obesity risk, thereby making it critical to systematically examine these factors. Thus, parents (n = 489) of preschool children completed a cross-sectional online survey which was the baseline data collection conducted, before randomization, in the HomeStyles program. The survey comprehensively assessed these factors using a socio-ecological approach, incorporating intrapersonal, interpersonal and environmental measures. Healthy intrapersonal dietary behaviors identified were parent and child intakes of recommended amounts of 100% juice and low intakes of sugar-sweetened beverages. Unhealthy behaviors included low milk intake and high parent fat intake. The home environment's food supply was found to support healthy intakes of 100% juice and sugar-sweetened beverages, but provided too little milk and ample quantities of salty/fatty snacks. Physical activity levels, sedentary activity and the home's physical activity and media environment were found to be less than ideal. Environmental supports for active play inside homes were moderate and somewhat better in the area immediately outside homes and in the neighborhood. Family interpersonal interaction measures revealed several positive behaviors, including frequent family meals. Parents had considerable self-efficacy in their ability to perform food-and physical activity-related childhood obesity protective practices. This study identified lifestyle practices and home environment characteristics that health educators could target to help parents promote optimal child development and lower their children's risk for obesity.

The Florida Reef and associated human community form a unique socio-ecological system. While this system represents great value to society, it is exposed to high levels of vulnerability. Despite intense study of its elements, the system lacks conceptual integrity, its management is fragmented, and user valuation remains unclear. A survey using contingent valuation methods investigated stakeholders' attitudes and how much they are willing to pay for sustainable seafood, coral reef restoration, and research funding for coral reefs in southeastern Florida. Respondents expressed angst about climate change and reef conditions, and they connected reef degradation to land-based pollution and water quality. Regression analysis revealed status (income, education) as weak, indirect predictors of behavior, age as a moderating influence, and environmental and emotive factors as strong, direct predictors. One's relative attachment to ecosystems, such as coral reefs, is theorized as a motivation that displaces the expectations of traditional economic theory.

In a world of systemic environmental destruction and growing social inequality, it is important to explore how decision-making institutions communicate about development and how they attempt to achieve social and environmental sustainability. The institutions define the problems, suggest the strategies, make the policies and set the targets in order to address the present socio-ecological crisis. Using the following key research question, this study focuses on one of these institutions, the Swedish Government: What ideologies and discourses underpin the Swedish Government’s National Strategy for Sustainable Regional Development Throughout the Country 2021-2030, and how consistent are they to the purpose of the strategy?  In order to answer the question, this research uses critical discourse analysis based on Norman Fairclough’s three-dimensional model for empirical research in communication, culture and society. Through a framework of postdevelopment and postcolonial feminist theories, this study questions mainstream discourses that are still today reinforced by decision-makers and practitioners within regional development in Sweden. It further examines a potential discourse paradox in the national strategy: In order to solve social and environmental problems, the document promotes economic and technological solutions that are based on the same logic of infinite growth, unidirectional progress and competitiveness that may have caused the problems.  Through explaining and discussing the discourses within a wider social context, this analysis concludes that the Swedish national strategy for regional development reinforces discourses that are problematizing and may impede the purpose of contributing to social, economic and environmental sustainability throughout the country. The study discusses how this can have negative effects on social and environmental relationships not only in Swedish regions, but also globally, and suggests ways for future regional development to become more contributive to social equality and environmental protection.