For your consideration, from a forestry perspective, I often pose to students during their oral examinations or thesis defenses a question on sustainability. The main purpose is to see what definition of sustainability they use, and the discussion usually brings forth their values concerning sustainable systems. But, I also want them to think more broadly about all kinds of ecosystem services, and whether human use of the land is sustainable over the long-term. It is often instructive, but sometimes frustrating. Has anyone found this a useful exercise for graduating forestry or environmental science students?
Dear Pete:
I think it is very instructive. Maybe could be completed asking for what sustainability indicators must be used in different case study (natural forest, plantation, restoration problem,...)
Dear Pete,
The question of sustainability of natural resources is in fact, sensible in its global design of providing to students. In this case, it is important to mention the sustainability of the functions of different natural resources or their ecosystemic services?. I think we should link any use of natural resources to the protection of their environmental functions (pragmatical sense of sustainability). Thereafter, it is important to develop the concept of natural resource quality indicators, quality here means maintaining and protecting the function or functions of the natural resource.
For clarification I suggest you read a little book entitled : "Nature for Sale, the Limits of Ecosystemic services". "Nature à vendre, les limites des services écosystémiques" , author : Virginie Maris, Quae editions in 2014. The book is in french language.
Sincerely.
Even though i am an environmental engineering student, I think posing a question on sustainability to me is a very useful exercise. My answer will certainly differ from that of other students so in the end, sustainability will have a very broad definition. What you do is a very useful exercise.
Dear Pete
Maybe you could ask their 3 orginal and creative question:
1. About a sustainable practice that the students have been known during your course.
2. About a new sustainalbe practice that the students believe will be an other good options but they have not been known during your course.
3. About a sustainable practice which include the "Triple Bottom Line" concept: social responsability, environmental stewardship and economic prosperity.
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