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🥸ethics review

Strong Sustainability

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

Strong sustainability is an environmental and economic framework that emphasizes the need to preserve natural capital and ecological integrity for future generations. It argues that certain natural resources and ecosystems are irreplaceable, meaning they must be maintained without substitution by human-made capital. This perspective is crucial for ensuring intergenerational justice, as it seeks to protect the rights and resources of future generations while balancing the needs of the present.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. Strong sustainability asserts that natural capital is non-substitutable, meaning it cannot be replaced by human-made capital without irreversible consequences.
  2. This approach prioritizes ecological preservation over economic growth, emphasizing the intrinsic value of ecosystems.
  3. Strong sustainability is often contrasted with weak sustainability, which allows for the substitution of natural capital with human-made alternatives.
  4. Policies aligned with strong sustainability aim to maintain biodiversity and ecosystem services, ensuring that they are available for future generations.
  5. Strong sustainability challenges traditional economic models by incorporating ecological limits into discussions about growth and development.

Review Questions

  • How does strong sustainability differentiate itself from weak sustainability in terms of resource management?
    • Strong sustainability differs from weak sustainability by asserting that natural resources are non-substitutable and must be preserved intact for future generations. While weak sustainability allows for the replacement of natural capital with human-made alternatives, strong sustainability emphasizes the intrinsic value of ecosystems and insists on maintaining them without compromise. This approach recognizes that some resources are vital for ecological integrity and cannot simply be traded for economic growth.
  • Discuss the implications of strong sustainability on policy-making related to environmental conservation and economic development.
    • The implications of strong sustainability on policy-making are profound, as it requires a shift in priorities from mere economic development to long-term environmental conservation. Policymakers must consider ecological limits and ensure that any economic activities do not undermine natural capital. This means implementing regulations that protect ecosystems, investing in renewable resources, and fostering practices that maintain biodiversity. Such policies challenge traditional growth models and encourage sustainable practices that benefit both current and future generations.
  • Evaluate the relationship between strong sustainability and intergenerational justice, focusing on how this framework addresses ethical concerns regarding resource allocation.
    • Strong sustainability directly supports intergenerational justice by advocating for resource allocation that safeguards the needs of future generations. By emphasizing the preservation of natural capital, this framework addresses ethical concerns regarding environmental degradation and resource depletion. It compels current societies to reflect on their actions and policies that may compromise the well-being of future populations. This evaluation ensures that decisions made today do not diminish the quality of life or resource availability for those who come after us, fostering a more equitable and sustainable future.