An Introduction to Sustainability

"This is a timely and much-needed book, written by experienced university educators who know how to engage with students and spark and sustain their interest. This involves being engaging and hopeful - and having the skill to explain quite complex ideas in a lucid, meaningful way. The second edition builds on the many strengths of the first, with updated information, figures and photos capturing the dynamism of sustainability thinking and practice." Allan Johnstone, Murdoch University, Australia "This is a clear, well-pitched introduction to sustainability issues for undergraduate students. The book combines analysis of contemporary environmental concerns and their interwoven social dynamics with a real sense of the personal dimension of sustainability. Built on a decade's worth of teaching experience, this book encourages a wide-ranging and accessible approach to the subject for students from a diversity of academic backgrounds. I would happily recommend this as a core introductory text for a 1st year undergraduate module on environmental issues as it covers so many of the most important issues with critical appreciation while retaining a sense of optimism too." Sam Randalls, University College London, UK "Sustainability is a "wicked problem," in which everyone is enmeshed; deep systemic change, rather than a cookbook of simple solutions, is required. The immensity of facing such a problem leads some of us to despair, others to complacent denial; Mulligan avoids both. The emergence of enviro-hatred as a mode of power, especially in the US, means that hope for any future requires champions, well-informed, critically thoughtful, and emotionally prepared. This book is excellent preparation on all three fronts." Kim Sorvig, University of New Mexico, USA "In this new edition, Martin Mulligan adds a renewed emphasis on systems thinking, the "triple bottom line" concept of corporate responsibility, and provides a series of global challenges framed as "wicked" problems to illustrate the magnitude of the transition to the sustainability paradigm. And yet the book retains the hopeful element that made the original edition such a worthy addition to the sustainability literature. This mix of reality and hope creates a compelling story about humans, our social and economic needs, and the health of the planet on which we dwell." Thomas Theis, Director of the Institute for Environmental Science and Policy, University of Illinois, USA

Martin Mulligan is associate professor, senior lecturer in the Sustainability and Urban Planning teaching programme, and senior researcher within the Centre for Urban Research in the School of Global, Urban and Social Studies (GUSS) at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia.

Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Biography of a concept Chapter 3 Consumption and consumerism Chapter 4 Global challenges as wicked problems Chapter 5 Energy and society Anthony Richardson and Martin Mulligan Chapter 6 Sustainability models and concepts Chapter 7 Risk and Resilience Chapter 8 Environmental Dimensions of Sustainability Chapter 9 Social Dimensions of Sustainability Chapter 10 Personal Dimensions Chapter 11 Taking action Chapter 12 Introduction to assessment and monitoring tools Chapter 13 Focusing on water Chapter 14 Food and agriculture Mel Neave and Martin Mulligan Chapter 15 The Urban Challenge Michael Buxton and Martin Mulligan Chapter 16 Rethinking waste Ruth Lane and Martin Mulligan