2100.org

PROGRAM

Chambéry, 14-18 Mars 1999

Planetary Garden

Jardin Planétaire

B2 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT THEORIES (I)

Chairman : Sylvie FAUCHEUX, C3ED, FRANCE

Rapporteur : Géraldine FROGER, Université de St. Quentin en Yvelines, FRANCE

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B2.1

Towards an enclosed World?

WEBER J., CIRAD, Montpellier, France

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B2.2

From productivity-oriented to sustainable farming system :

Questions to economics

BUISSON M., Institut Supérieur d'Agriculture Rhône-Alpes (ISARA) Lyon, France

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B2.3

Simulations on virtual worlds: Understanding how the interacting ecological and social dynamics influence sustainable development processes

LE PAGE C., BOUSQUET F., TAKFORYAN A., WEBER J., CIRAD, Montpellier, France

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B2.4

Sustainable pathways of change

HADFIELD L., International Ecotechnology Research Centre, Cranfield University Bedford, U.K.

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B2.5

An energy analogue of the law of Maltus

PRISNIAKOV V., Dnipropetrovsk State University, Ukraine

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Session B3 : Sustainable Development Theories (II)

CHAIRMAN : Carl BOUCHARD , USDA , USA

B 3.3

Urbanization, changes in agricultural soil inheritance, example of France presented by Marie-Françoise SLAK

Mrs. Slak presented the different methods of measuring land use changes on the urban fringe : (1) Land cover GIS database,(2) Land cover statistics database and (3) Soil GIS database. Changes range from 1.18% according to GIS, 7.83% using statistics to 13.18% using soil GIS. Most statistical bases do not indicate the real extent of conversions. There is a need for both land cover and land use structure along with change indicators. GIS and layers of information make it possible for more precise land use management.

B3.2

Methods for the study and setting up of indicators for island sustainable development presented by Chris LEPAGE for Mr Mandret

Mr. LePage discussed a network of island sustainable development indicators that must be set up by : (1) Scientific and professional people, (2) for better understanding of rural development, (3) for establishing a new process and (4) to account for societal concerns. Pressures on island nations are measured by the standard of living of the residents that is actually achieved through exploitation of the natural resources. With it comes an increase of environmental hazards.

The key is to have accurate and timely data and performance standards on which to base policies. Unfortunately we often do not use the most reliable information to base projections and changes because of the cost of acquiring and transcribing this information. There are also political considerations in setting up performance indications and measurement systems. In other words, we may not really want to know what is happening because of the implications that may be present. However, true and correct scientific information may help achieve the gathering of this information and setting of standards. Scientists must also accept when close is close enough to make the correct and proper political decision.