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“What Kind of a Science is Sustainability Science?” An Evidence-Based Reexamination

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  • Xuening Fang

    (Center for Human–Environment System Sustainability (CHESS), State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology (ESPRE), Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
    School of Natural Resources, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
    School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA)

  • Bingbing Zhou

    (School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA)

  • Xingyue Tu

    (Center for Human–Environment System Sustainability (CHESS), State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology (ESPRE), Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
    School of Natural Resources, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

  • Qun Ma

    (Center for Human–Environment System Sustainability (CHESS), State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology (ESPRE), Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
    School of Natural Resources, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

  • Jianguo Wu

    (Center for Human–Environment System Sustainability (CHESS), State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology (ESPRE), Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
    School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
    School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA)

Abstract

Sustainability science (SS), rooted in multiple disciplines, has been developing rapidly during the last two decades and become a well-recognized new field of study. However, the “identity” of SS remains unclear. Therefore, this study was intended to help synthesize the key characteristics of SS by revisiting the question raised by the leading sustainability scientist, Robert Kates (2011): “What kind of a science is sustainability science?” Specifically, we reviewed the literature in SS, and developed a synthesis of definitions and core research questions of SS, using multiple methods including change-point detection, word cloud visualization, and content and thematic analyses. Our study has produced several main findings: (1) the development of SS exhibited an S-shaped growth pattern, with an exponential growth phase through to 2012, and a asymptotic development phase afterwards; (2) ten key elements from the existing definitions of SS were identified, of which understanding “human–environment interactions” and “use-inspired” were most prominent; and (3) sixteen core questions in SS were derived from the literature. We further proposed an eight-theme framework of SS to help understand how the sixteen questions are related to each other. We argue that SS is coming of age, but more integrative and concerted efforts are still needed to further consolidate its identity by developing a coherent and rigorous scientific core.

Suggested Citation

  • Xuening Fang & Bingbing Zhou & Xingyue Tu & Qun Ma & Jianguo Wu, 2018. "“What Kind of a Science is Sustainability Science?” An Evidence-Based Reexamination," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-16, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:5:p:1478-:d:145174
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    15. María Consuelo Sáiz-Manzanares & Sara Gutiérrez-González & Ángel Rodríguez & Lourdes Alameda Cuenca-Romero & Verónica Calderón & Miguel Ángel Queiruga-Dios, 2020. "Systematic Review on Inclusive Education, Sustainability in Engineering: An Analysis with Mixed Methods and Data Mining Techniques," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-18, August.
    16. Ying Li & Xu Han & Bingbing Zhou & Ligang Lv & Yeting Fan, 2023. "Farmland Dynamics and Its Grain Production Efficiency and Ecological Security in China’s Major Grain-Producing Regions between 2000 and 2020," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-17, July.
    17. Leah V. Gibbons, 2020. "Regenerative—The New Sustainable?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(13), pages 1-18, July.
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    19. Sievers-Glotzbach, Stefanie & Tschersich, Julia, 2019. "Overcoming the process-structure divide in conceptions of Social-Ecological Transformation," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 1-1.
    20. Chen, Sha & Chen, Hong & Yang, Runjia & Ye, Yanmei, 2023. "Linking social-ecological management and ecosystem service bundles: Lessons from a peri-urban agriculture landscape," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).

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