Sustainability and Environmental Science

This assignment involves a comprehensive analysis of sustainability and environmental science concepts. It requires the student to understand the principles of sustainability, environmental indicators, and life cycle assessment. The three pillars of sustainability - economic, social, and environmental - are also analyzed in detail. The assignment includes references to various academic papers and research studies, providing a thorough understanding of the subject matter.

Running Head: Academic Literacies through Exploring Sustainability
Academic Literacies through Exploring Sustainability

Academic Literacies through Exploring Sustainability 1
Contents
Assessment 1...............................................................................................................................................1
Learning Reflection 1...............................................................................................................................1
Learning Reflection 2...............................................................................................................................1
Assessment 2: Annotated Bibliography.......................................................................................................3
Assessment 4: Persuasive essay..................................................................................................................5
References.................................................................................................................................................10

Academic Literacies through Exploring Sustainability 2
Assessment 1
Learning Reflection 1
Sustainability refers to the ability to maintain consistency in the natural resources used by people
in the environment. Sustainability has now become the need of the era as the resources are
getting depleted day by day and people are harassing them for their use as well. I believe that if
these activities of human will not stop then the end of the whole word in near as no person can
survive without using natural resources. Be it electricity, water or petroleum people overuse it on
a regular basis. Like, water is misused by people during household chores, energy is wasted by
many factories, and overuse of vehicles creates pollution in my community. So, these are some
of the examples that act as concern for sustainability for my community.
If I talk about my personal understanding, what I believe about sustainability is that it is not one
person’s work; instead, it can only be achieved through group activities. Sustainability scenario
which I have chosen to further for the essay is Personal lifestyle choices in modern urban settings
as it talks about the lifestyles choice of people nowadays which affect the environment on a
whole. This scenario interests me the most because it talks about all the activities which are
implemented in a community for good or bad. I believe that this aspect includes all other aspects
as well because at the end what matters the most is the health and survival of the community.
Learning Reflection 2
After analyzing the topic of research that is personal lifestyle choices in modern urban settings, I
believe that sustainability, in this case, can only be attained by considering the three pillars that
are environmental, social and economic considerations. Balance in these considerations can
create sustainability in the environment. In the pillar of environmental, I think one should
consider the illicit effect of activities initiated by people which can easily be seen in the
environment. Social concern of sustainability should be the social welfare activities implemented
in the name of beneficiary but deteriorate the quality of life. Lastly, economic consideration
should be taken seriously as it relates to the lifestyle of people according to which they work in
the environment. In order to maintain their lifestyle people should not take action which
adversely affects the nature.

Academic Literacies through Exploring Sustainability 3
I believe that all three concerns mentioned above are important and they should together be taken
into consideration to start a better approach towards the environment. As these activities are
interlinked so no specific environment lays more negative impact on the environment. I think
that an approach should be initiated in the community which shall collectively indicate all the
three pillars and respond them positively. Further, I have noticed that nowadays people have
different lifestyles and they do not want to ruin their image in the community at any cost due to
which they initiate such activities’ that harm the nature. So, according to my perception
sustainable outcome can be achieved by changing the perception of people in the community as
well.

Academic Literacies through Exploring Sustainability 4
Assessment 2: Annotated Bibliography
Herremans, I. M., & Reid, R. E. (2002). Developing awareness of the sustainability concept. The
Journal of Environmental Education, 34(1), 16-20.
The purpose of this article is to discuss about the three pillar sustainability framework. This
paper is formed with a purpose to make people understand about sustainability in a classroom. A
case study is being explained in the paper to show the use of the environmental, social and the
economic consideration in initiating a sustainable quality of life. From the view point of the
author, three different dimensions are being explained in the paper to enlighten the readers about
the aim of sustainability. This report is an analytical paper which raises question regarding the
three-dimensional tool and explains the importance of sustainability in the society. Through this
paper, the authors (Herremans and Reid) aimed to explain the sustainability triad through
reflection of a mini case. Theses reading helped the students to take actions which are regarded
best for the society and the environment. The authors wanted to educate the students with the
real world analysis of the sustainability and its impact on the lifestyle of people. They identified
the role of stakeholders in instituting best practices of sustainability in classrooms. Furthermore
talking about the relevancy of the topic in context to the scenario described above, it should be
noted that the paper is enriched with the information about the three pillars of sustainability. As
the report talks about the environmental, social and economic issues in the views of
sustainability so the paper successfully helps in analyzing the issues which regulate the
sustainable quality of life of people in a community. There is a definite link between the paper
and the topic of research as it tells about the sustainability issues from the environmental, social
and economic point of view.
Murphy, K. (2012). The social pillar of sustainable development: a literature review and
framework for policy analysis. Sustainability: Science, practice, policy, 8(1), 15-29.
This paper is taken from the journal of Sustainability: science, practice, and policy. The author of
this article is Kevin Murphy; he has appropriately provided information about sustainability in
his article. The paper gave a clear view of about the social pillar of sustainability; it also
explained the social issues which are negatively reflecting the growth of life in the societies.

Academic Literacies through Exploring Sustainability 5
Further the paper also explains the social views and possibilities due to which sustainable quality
of life has become a difficult task to achieve. The issues explained in the article relates to the
social issues which impact the sustainability of the environment. This article also provides a
conceptual framework to identify social concepts that link to the environmental issues. Apart
from social concepts, the paper talks about its relationship with the environmental pillar of
sustainability as well. Further relating the paper with the report, it should be noted that this
article successfully helped in achieving the adequate requirements of the task. This article helped
in gaining information about the social possibilities which can lay great impact on the quality of
life of people. Poverty and inequality in the environment is the biggest social cause which is
explained with the help of this article. Further, the article also helped in analyzing the
sustainable development indicators that can be used to examine the quality of life in which
people in the society sustain. Further, the paper also spread awareness regarding the problem of
sustainability in the environment and how it impacts the lifestyle of people. Furthermore, this
article also explains the lifestyle choices of people in which they want to live. Equity,
participation, socially cohesive and awareness for sustainability are four main concepts which
are being explained in the article.
Rolls, N. & Wignell, P. (2015). Commonwealth of Australia. The Charles Darwin University.
This paper is taken from the Commonwealth of Australia which was reproduced on the behalf of
‘the Charles Darwin University' and copyright under the copyright act of 1968. This paper
exclusively talks about sustainability and its three-dimensional framework. Sustainability is far
more than an approach or aim, but it is the dynamic concept which is explained in ways under
this paper, one is an idea and another is a professional discipline. This paper also tells about the
ways in which the dynamic system of sustainability works. Further, this process also provides
adequate, definition, systems and characteristics of this system. Additionally, three pillars of
sustainability are also explained in this paper. The paper provides a detailed view of
sustainability and the environmental, economic and social concern relating to it. Furthermore
linking the source of information with the report, it should be noted that the paper provided a
detailed view of sustainability along with different dimensions connected to it. The paper tells
about the environmental, social and economic issues which are mentioned in the report. It also
explains the concept that it is important for the communities to maintain a balance between all

Academic Literacies through Exploring Sustainability 6
the three pillars so as to fulfill the initiative/ idea/ principle of sustainability in the environment.
The paper successfully helped in gaining information to form the report.

Academic Literacies through Exploring Sustainability 7
Assessment 4: Persuasive essay
“Sustainability is a paradigm for thinking about the future in which environmental,
societal and economic considerations are balanced in the pursuit of an improved quality of
life’ (UNESCO 2015).”
The purpose of this task is to provide a brief overview of the sustainability and the factors
affecting the activity of sustainability in the environment. According to the statement mentioned
above, sustainability is a model which shows the future environment considering the three
aspects. Balance in environmental, social and economic activities will improve the quality of life
of people living in that community (Duić, Urbaniec, & Huisingh, 2015). The title chosen for this
research is the personal lifestyle choice of people in modern urban settings. It states that the act
of sustainability depends upon the discretion of the communities on how they want to live their
lifestyle. On the basis of lifestyle choice of people their activities relating to the environment and
sustainability change (Herremans, & Reid, 2002).
Further, the below-mentioned task talks about the sustainability paradigm for the future
considering the balance of three pillars. It explains about the background of the topic that relates
to personal lifestyle choices of people, additionally, it also talks about the environmental, social
and economic concerns relating to sustainability (Ayre, & Callway, 2013). Lastly, the persuasive
essay also explains the recommendations to the community with the help of which people can
create a better future. In today's era, personal lifestyle choices of people vary according to their
point of view to live life successfully (CWanamaker, 2016). People living in urban areas tend to
live an easy life without working hard, they want everything at their reach due to which they use
more and more technological resources and harass them. Also, people living in the urban society
aims use the resources which help them in living life without any barriers; contradicting to that
person living in rural areas tend to be more connected with the environment and the society in
which they live (Thwink, 2018). These people also understand the need for the sustainability of
the environment for which they take several measures and initiatives as well. Furthermore, it
cannot be totally misunderstood that people living in urban areas have their lifestyle choices
which ruin the environment, instead of these people also take several initiatives to balance the

Academic Literacies through Exploring Sustainability 8
environment but their goods are equalized with the bad activities which they implement in the
community (UN, 2018).
Talking about the sustainability concern from the environmental point of view, it should be noted
that environmental sustainability is the ability to maintain the quality of life which are valued in
the physical environment. There are many reasons due to which environmental issues occur in a
society, but one of the biggest cause of this problem is the activities initiated by people in the
society. Also, the effect of their activities is irreversible due to which the sustainability of
environment becomes an issue (Osti, 2012). Most of the people in the urban society want to
sustain a healthy life but it has become a threat to the resources worldwide have started depleting
and natural environment in getting damaged. Increased in the process of industrialization has
greatly impacted the sustainability effect of the environment (Rolls, & Wignell, 2015).
Technological advancement gave rise to the modern civilization which subsequently increased
the environmental and global challenges for people to sustain. Factories have started increasing
in the environment, due to which people tend to cut the forest and use the unused land in planting
factories which is degrading the land as well. The factories pollute the environment by
discharging waste materials which pollute the soil and water (Drexhage, & Murphy, 2010). Apart
from that these factories emit gas pollution as well due to which harmful gases gets mixed in an
environment which depletes the ozone layer. Ozone layer depletion is one of the biggest
symptoms of the environmental degradation and if such activities are continued in the
environment then the sustainability of nature can become a big threat to communities. Ecological
imbalances, climate change, poor health of human are the impacts of environmental degradation
activities only (Moldan, Janoušková, & Hák, 2012).
People in the urban areas are consistently using automobiles and innovative technologies which
are decreasing the fossil fuel and increasing the number of carbon particles in the environment.
Rapid industrialization rapidly affects the environment as well; taking the example of Australia,
the temperature of the country fluctuates consistently and also faces intrinsic rainfall because
there is presence of high degree of greenhouse gases in the environment which disturbs the
normal routine of the nature due to which such unseen calamities occur (Heijungs, Huppes, &
Guinée, 2010). These activities are a sign to the mankind from nature itself that they should stop
polluting the environment otherwise sustainability of quality of life will become a difficult task

Academic Literacies through Exploring Sustainability 9
for them. Environmental concern for sustainability is one of the three pillars on which the life of
mankind is based and it is the most important pillar as well (Sala, Ciuffo, & Nijkamp, 2015). If
the environment will not show positive results then the life of earth will become impossible.
Biggest environmental concern of sustainability is that natural resources are getting depleted and
people instead of saving it, they are using it more aggressively which is risking the sustainable
quality of life (Swarr, et. al., 2011).
Source: (CWanamaker, 2016)
The second pillar of the sustainability is the societal concern which talks about the social
considerations present in the environment which are hampering the aim of sustainability
worldwide. It should be noted that the biggest recession of all times that is Great Depression
2008 was occurred due to social instability in the environment which further linked to economic
and environmental instability leading to risk of life (Zhang, Wu, & Shen, 2011). Further talking
about the social issues relating to sustainability, it should be noted that good governance is very
important in creating transverse consideration which helps the communities in successfully
implementing the policies and measures for the betterment of the communities (Hoekstra, 2014).
Extreme poverty is one of the biggest global challenges with which countries are currently
dealing with. Poverty is one of the factors which make a country backward in the competitive

Academic Literacies through Exploring Sustainability 10
index. Sustainability activities can be improved if all the human receive equality in the rights,
which means that people living rural societies should also attain the right to enjoy the resources
as much as the people living in an urban society does (Boström, 2012). A vicious circle has
formed in the communities which are trapping the poor people and making them poorer and
subsequently, the richer become richer. If such activities are continued in the environment the
ultimately the poor people will die and the communities will become unable to create
sustainability for the backward section of the society (Bond, Morrison-Saunders, & Pope, 2012).
Poverty is one of the biggest social issues which bars sustainability but it is not the only issue
due to which sustainability is hampered in the environment. Social sustainability is based on the
paradigm that promotes the betterment of the society. Best quality of life to the people can be
achieved when they treat each other equally. Equality is very important in the community.
Thinking ironically on the topic that personal lifestyle choice in modern urban setting is also an
indication presence of inequality in the environment (Kuhlman, & Farrington, 2010). It is true
that al people have their personal lifestyle choices they can spend their lives in the way in which
they want to live but lifestyle choices of people differentiate in rural and urban settings. As in
rural areas, not many resources are present neither there is efficient technology, also people do
not have adequate information about their rights as well. But it is contradictory in urban areas, as
at those places, people are treated equally and there is good quality of life than in rural or
backward areas. Thus, poverty, quality and lack of information about the human rights are some
of the social concerns in sustainability approach (Zamagni, Pesonen, & Swarr, 2013).
After social consideration, the third pillar is the economic point of view on the concern of
sustainability. Economic sustainability refers to the act of balancing the profitability and costs in
such a way that benefit is received by all people in the society. It basically refers to the process
of making decisions that are fiscally sound and equitable which positively affects the
sustainability concern in the environment (Silvius, & Schipper, 2010). Decisions that provide
long-term benefits to the whole society are valuable for the economic sustainability issue in the
community. As said earlier that all the three pillars are connected to each other similarly the
balance in the economic activities of a community can only be achieved when the environmental
and social activities in a community are balanced (Khoshnava, 2016). Talking about the great
depression under which people were unable to attain the basic lifestyle amenities as well. Such

Academic Literacies through Exploring Sustainability 11
depression occurs due to inefficient decision of governments of the communities and imbalance
in nature which causes calamities and lack of availability of various resources as well. From the
economic point of view the concern of sustainability is that with the process of industrialization
and globalization, different companies enter in the market with an aim to maximize their profit
margin and earn success in the market. Due to this activity sustainability loses its efficiency as
all people work for their growth and community growth is left behind (First for sustainability,
2018).
Sustainability through economic perspective can be achieved when there is a balance between
the demand and supply of products and equal of products is provided to the customer with
respect to the price of goods (Sala, Farioli, & Zamagni, 2013). Also, these products should be
economically viable; these should be under the approach of all sections of the society. It majorly
depends upon the contribution of the higher section of the urban societies; they can contribute
towards the upliftment of the communities (Sharifi, & Murayama, 2013). Thus, it should be
noted that economic sustainability can be achieved through a collective approach to growth. This
growth can be achieved when all the sections of the society work together to bring equality in the
environment (Schoolman, Guest, Bush, & Bell, 2012).
Relating all the three pillars with the sustainability concern, it should be noted that a community
cannot aim for sustainability in the environment without creating a balance in all three of them.
Further, if all the three considerations that are environmental, social and economic aspects are
balanced that the pursuits of quality of life will be automatically achieved. As noted above that
three concerns works hand in hand, if one aspect is disturbed in the community then the other
considerations will automatically work ineffectively (Finkbeiner, Schau, Lehmann, & Traverso,
2010). For instance, if in a society, the social factors are disturbed which means there is the
presence of inequality and poverty in the society. This shows that the weaker section of the
society will not receive quality of life, resulting in the other pillars also work ineffectively. Thus,
it is very important for the governments to control all the three pillars to initiate sustainability in
the environment. No person in the society makes a choice in which they want to live the life of a
poor person (Legrand, 2018). So, it shall be noted that all people want a good quality of life but
this quality depends on the three pillars. So, all the three pillars should work accordingly, if one
aspect fails to fulfill the requirement then other pillars should compensate that need in this way

Academic Literacies through Exploring Sustainability 12
the paradigm of sustainability can be achieved. Furthermore, it should be recommended to the
communities that they shall regain the environmental sustainability by using the hi-tech
technology which is good for nature along with mankind (Hosseini, & Kaneko, 2011). The
technology which pollutes the environment should not be accepted by the people and they shall
keep the fact in mind that they shall use the resources wisely so as to save them for the future
generation. Social issues can be rectified by initiating the activities of fairness in the society. And
lastly, economic concern should be reduced by initiating smart growth and long-term growth
oriented planning in the society (Hansmann, Mieg, & Frischknecht, 2012).
Thus, in the limelight of above-mentioned events, it should be noted that sustainability is an aim
which can only be fulfilled when people realize the need of it and aim to successfully create a
balance between the three pillars present in the society. The above-mentioned essay successfully
analyses the concern and responses which can help the communities to grow.

Academic Literacies through Exploring Sustainability 13
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Academic Literacies through Exploring Sustainability 14
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Academic Literacies through Exploring Sustainability 15
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