Routledge Dynamic Sustainabilities: Technology, Environment, Social Justice (Pathways to Sustainability)

Linking environmental sustainability with poverty reduction and social justice, and making science and technology work for the poor, have become central practical, political and moral challenges of our times. These must be met in a world of rapid, interconnected change in environments, societies and economies, and globalised, fragmented governance arrangements. Yet despite growing international attention and investment, policy attempts often fail. Why is this, and what can be done about it? How might we understand and address emergent threats from epidemic disease, or the challenges of water scarcity in dryland India? In the context of climate change, how might seed systems help African farmers meet their needs, and how might appropriate energy strategies be developed? This book lays out a new 'pathways approach' to address sustainability challenges such as these in today's dynamic world. Through an appreciation of dynamics, complexity, uncertainty, differing narratives and the values-based aims of sustainability, the pathways approach allows us to see how some approaches are dominant, even though they do not produce the desired results, and how to create successful alternative 'pathways' of responding to the challenges we face. As well as offering new ways of thinking about sustainability, the book also suggests a series of practical ways forward - in tools and methods, forms of political engagement, and styles of knowledge-making and communication. Throughout the book, the practicalities of the pathways approach are illustrated using four case studies: water in dryland India, agricultural seeds in Africa, responses to epidemic disease and energy systems/climate change. Published in association with the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). Review '...Offers a counterpoint to those trapped in old patterns of development and an inspiration to those keen to embrace a paradigm shift.' Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and Executive Director UN Environment Programme (UNEP) 'This book addresses critical issues associated with transitioning to a more sustainable world. It is both conceptual and practical - exactly what is needed to address issues such as climate change, food and water security and human health.' Professor Robert Watson, Chief Scientist, Department for Energy, Food and Rural Affairs, UK Govt. 'The twin challenges of sustainability and ensuring that science and technology contribute to poverty reduction and social justice in a complex and dynamic environment are re-framed in this book. The alternative narratives offered are to be commended for showing that new thinking can lead to change.' David J. Grimshaw, Head of International Programme (New Technologies) at Practical Action and Senior Research Fellow (New and Emerging Technologies), Department for International Development, UK Govt 'This book should be welcomed by all who take an holistic view of sustainable development and poverty reduction. For those of us rooted in the Appropriate Technology movement, the STEPS team provide analytical rigour for the notion that technological 'silver bullets' are misconceived and that technology users have a range of options. Drawing from across disciplines, Dynamic Sustainabilities provides a contemporary approach to understanding the complicated and ever-changing world we live in; one which explicitly recognises that there are different ways of understanding the world, and that development is indeed a political process.' Andrew Scott, Policy and Programmes Director, Practical Action 'Melissa Leach, Ian Scoones and Andy Stirling of the STEPS Centre put the finger on a fundamental challenge: How to ensure that science and technology in a highly complex, dynamic and interconnected world, help improve livelihoods and social justice in the quest for social-ecological sustainability. In their pathways to sustainability approach they constructively suggest novel and practical ways forward f