Exploring the Evolution of Sustainability Science Understanding the Complexity and Development of Sustainability Programs

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study are to investigate what and how existing sustainability programs are, to group and map these sustainability programs' main ideas to gain a more constructive and integrated understanding, and to find clues or opportunities to improve efforts to achieve sustainability. Theoretical Framework: The concept of sustainable development remains complex, ambiguous, and challenging to implement. The global environmental situation is worsening, leading to disasters and unfavorable climate change. Despite numerous efforts such as seminars, research, conferences, and work programs, both locally and globally, the understanding and implementation of sustainability remain unclear. There are differing views on the focus and strategy needed to address the development paradox, indicating a lack of consensus on the true meaning of sustainability. Method: This qualitative descriptive research employs a two-tiered literature review approach. The first focuses on the historical correlation between development and sustainability, examining early human civilization's development activities during the Neolithic era. The second tier analyzes and categorizes existing sustainability programs, reviewing various research articles on environmental preservation, natural resource protection, impact reduction, and social equity programs since the first industrial revolution. The findings are synthesized critically and comprehensively to identify common themes and core ideas. Results and Discussion: This study acknowledges the complexity and challenges of sustainability, emphasizing the ongoing relevance of conservation and resilience as core concepts. To address the dichotomy of development, new sustainability programs must also consider the revitalization of natural resources, continuity of ecosystem services, biodiversity maintenance, and resilience building. Approaches such as ecosophy and predictive methods based on dynamic phenomena can contribute (as a clue) to achieving sustainability goals by encouraging holistic thinking, balancing human and environmental needs, and promoting co-evolution. Research Implications: The complexity and constellation of diverse and intricate sustainability programs can be seen through this research. Although limited, these findings are expected to contribute to Sustainability science through a more comprehensive and constructive understanding of sustainability history and knowledge that has been described. Originality/Value: This study conducts a comprehensive research method covering various disciplines and a broad scope of sustainable development, including its evolution since the industrial revolution and aspects related to history of development. The research result creates a visual map representing the structure of existing sustainability programs, serving as a guide for proposing new research initiatives. This knowledge facilitates aligning new proposals with existing themes, bridging gaps in theories, and fostering the exploration and development of innovative sustainability ideas.