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1.1
SustainableDevelopment and theNeed toValue Ecosystems
TheUN’sThreePillarsofSustainableDevelopment
Achieving sustainable development – “development that
meets the needs of the present without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their own needs”
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–
means finding the right balance between the three pillars
of social equity, economic development and environmental
protection.
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While socioeconomic equity is one objective in
achieving this balance, sustainable development cannot be
feasible or liveable without also determining the costs and
benefits derived from the enviro-economic and enviro-social
dimensions.
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As humans are completely dependent on the
ecosystems that they inhabit for their survival and well-being,
without healthy ecosystems, economic and social progress
cannot meet the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
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Recognizing the importance of this three-pillar balance,
world leaders at the United Nations Sustainable
Development Summit 2015 adopted 17 SDGs.
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While
SDG 14 – “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas
and marine resources” – is specific to ocean and coastal
ecosystems, these ecosystems also support many of the
other SDGs. For instance, coastal populations’ dependence
on LMEs is directly linked to SDGs pertaining to human
survival, livelihood and well-being: ending poverty (SDG 1),
ending hunger and improving nutrition (SDG 2), ensuring
healthy lives and promoting well-being (SDG 3), ensuring
clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), promoting sustainable
economic growth and employment (SDG 8), and reducing
inequality within and among countries (SDG 10).
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Fisheries,
harvestable plants, and the waste treatment, tourism
and recreation sectors are some examples of ocean and
coastal “ecosystem services” that promote these SDGs.
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Furthermore, coastal ecosystems consisting of coral reef,
mangroves and seagrasses can provide protection from
storm surges (SDG 9 “Build resilient infrastructure”), thereby
protecting coastal populations (SDG 11: “Make cities and
human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”)
and reducing the impacts of climate change (SDG 13: “[…]
combat climate change”). The oceans also regulate climate
change by absorbing and storing heat and sequestrating
carbon from the atmosphere.
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Many women are employed
in the fisheries industry, particularly in the post-harvest
stages, while in rural areas, women often engage in
aquaculture as part of families’ subsistence activities (SDG
5 “Achieve gender equality”). By jointly working to manage
coastal and ocean resources, communities enhance social
relationships and institutions (SDG 16: “Promote peaceful
and inclusive societies for sustainable development”).
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Ecosystem Services are a “Flow of Value”
Sustainable development requires that we maintain and
enhance the four types of “capital” upon which people
depend: natural, human, economic and social capital. Efforts
to measure only one or two of the four capital stocks tell only
part of the story, since they are interlinked and constantly
changing. These different forms of capital generate flows
of value, with ecosystem goods and services representing
the flow of value from natural capital to the other capital
stocks (Figure 2). How these flows are reinvested is the key to
meeting the SDGs and growing wealth sustainably.
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