A perspective on the role of uncertainty in sustainability science and engineering

Diwekar, Urmila M.; Amekudzi-Kennedy, Adjo; Bakshi, Bhavik R.; Baumgartner, Rupert J.; Boumans, Roelof; Burger, Paul; Cabezas, Heriberto; Egler, Megan; Farley, Joshua; Fath, Brian D.; Gleason, Timothy R.; Huang, Yinlun; Karunanithi, Arunprakash T.; Khanna, Vikas; Mangan, Anita; Mayer, Audrey L.; Mukherjee, Rabindra Nath; Mullally, Gerard; Rico-Ramı́rez, Vicente; Shonnard, David R.; Svanström, Magdalena; Theis, Thomas L.

doi:10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.105140

Cited by 24 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 103 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Common visions about the goals of sustainable development focus, e.g., on equitable improvements of human well-being within and across generations [41]. In addition, sustainable development is about (1) a human effort to make choices and institutions to ensure that the earth can support the continued presence of humans for the indefinite future and (2) a vision of how human society could develop sustainably with strong focus on social dimensions such as intergenerational equity [42].…”

Section: Sustainable Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Exploring Social Sustainability Handprint—Part 2: Sustainable Development and Sustainability

Husgafvel

2021

Sustainability

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Social sustainability is a major part of both sustainable development and sustainability including societal sustainability and overall promotion of more sustainable societies taking into account multiple social/society–environment relationships and interfaces. These contexts have a strong focus on both present and future generations, encompassing sustainable development of both people and the planet. Social sustainability handprints provide many opportunities to promote social sustainability management and assessment by organizations and people and to create changes and encourage actions that contribute to overall social and societal sustainability. This study applied qualitative approaches to explore social sustainability handprints from the perspectives of sustainable development, sustainability, social and societal sustainability and sustainability assessment and indicators. This study addressed a clear research gap and aimed at identifying key definitions, elements, approaches and development focus areas within these frameworks as well as at suggesting associated implications for social sustainability handprint development. The findings suggest that social sustainability handprints can be created through multiple actions, changes, innovations and impacts to promote social sustainability based on sustainable development, sustainability and social and societal sustainability. Various actors such as all types of organizations, individuals, groups and companies can implement these ways to create social sustainability handprints. In addition, there are multiple assessment approaches that can be applied to the assessment of social sustainability handprints such as sustainability management, assessment and indicators, encompassing multiple specific elements and approaches.

show abstract

Section: Sustainable Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It aims at (1) ensuring that the earth can meet the material and energy needs to support complex systems (e.g., humanity) over the long-term including social dimensions, (2) supporting human society and (3) making the survival of civilized human existence on earth feasible [42].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring Social Sustainability Handprint—Part 2: Sustainable Development and Sustainability

Husgafvel

2021

Sustainability

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The reasoning on wicked and on complex problems is impacted by the attitude towards uncertainty, a related studied like ambiguity tolerance (AT) [50], and also by the abovementioned notions of analytical vs. holistic cognitive styles. These cultural traits ought to be considered in the design processes facing the contemporary problems as discussed by Diwekar et al [32].…”

Section: Complexity and Culturementioning

confidence: 99%

Complexity, Design and Culture: convergence for digital experiences

Guimarães¹

2021

IxD&A

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The design of digital experiences, systems and sociotechnical solutions in the contemporary society is characterized by increasing complexity. More and more variables are present and unpredictable effects are observed. The complexity of systems calls for awareness and complex problem-solving ability. In this survey, design in general, and design of the user experience in particular, is placed in the scope of complexity. Moreover, the design reasoning and methods are sensitive to culturally determined factors and cognitive styles. This survey converges complexity and complex problem solving, design of the user experience and cultural variations, reviewing bodies of work to suggest and map interdependencies that will shape future challenges in systems design.

show abstract

“…Sustainability research has, in parts, begun to move away from ideas of certainty and objectivity [19] and towards concepts of consensus, the shared cognitive aspects of human behaviour [20,21], and the need to consider transformational, sudden, or disruptive change [22]. For example, it is important to highlight the need for decision-making under deep or fundamental uncertainty that can "prepare and adapt" rather than assuming it is always possible to "predict-then-act" [23]. us, in some disciplines "the methodological grip of objectivism is loosening.…”

Section: Introduction and Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Inquiry into Model Validity When Addressing Complex Sustainability Challenges

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Scientific modelling is a prime means to generate understanding and provide much-needed information to support public decision-making in the fluid area of sustainability. A growing, diverse sustainability modelling literature, however, does not readily lend itself to standard validation procedures, which are typically rooted in the positivist principles of empirical verification and predictive success. Yet, to be useful to decision-makers, models, including their outputs and the processes through which they are established must be, and must be seen to be “valid.” This study explores what model validity means in a problem space with increasingly interlinked and fast-moving challenges. We examine validation perspectives through ontological, epistemic, and methodological lenses, for a range of modelling approaches that can be considered as “complexity-compatible.” The worldview taken in complexity-compatible modelling departs from the more standard modelling assumptions of complete objectivity and full predictability. Drawing on different insights from complexity science, systems thinking, economics, and mathematics, we suggest a ten-dimensional framework for progressing on model validity when investigating sustainability concerns. As such, we develop a widened view of the meaning of model validity for sustainability. It includes (i) acknowledging that several facets of validation are critical for the successful modelling of the sustainability of complex systems; (ii) tackling the thorny issues of uncertainty, subjectivity, and unpredictability; (iii) exploring the realism of model assumptions and mechanisms; (iv) embracing the role of stakeholder engagement and scrutiny throughout the modelling process; and (v) considering model purpose when assessing model validity. We wish to widen the debate on the meaning of model validity in a constructive way. We conclude that consideration of all these elements is necessary to enable sustainability models to support, more effectively, decision-making for complex interdependent systems.

show abstract

A perspective on the role of uncertainty in sustainability science and engineering

Abstract: Highlights Perspective on sustainability and uncertainty. Topics include sustainable ecology, policy, economics, manufacturing, communication, precautionary principle, and options theory. Covers locals to global sustainability areas.

Cited by 24 publications

References 103 publications

Exploring Social Sustainability Handprint—Part 2: Sustainable Development and Sustainability

Exploring Social Sustainability Handprint—Part 2: Sustainable Development and Sustainability

Complexity, Design and Culture: convergence for digital experiences

An Inquiry into Model Validity When Addressing Complex Sustainability Challenges

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About