Title: Islands of sustainability in time and space

Authors: Kimberly Burnett; Lee Endress; Majah-Leah Ravago; James Roumasset; Christopher A. Wada

Addresses: University of Hawai'i Economic Research Organization (UHERO), Saunders Hall Rm 540, 2424 Maile Way, Honolulu, Hawai'i 96822, USA ' Department of Economics, University of Hawai'i, Saunders Hall Rm 542, 2424 Maile Way, Honolulu, Hawai'i 96822, USA ' Department of Economics, University of Hawai'i, Saunders Hall Rm 542, 2424 Maile Way, Honolulu, Hawai'i 96822, USA ' Department of Economics, University of Hawai'i, Saunders Hall Rm 542, 2424 Maile Way, Honolulu, Hawai'i 96822, USA ' University of Hawai'i Economic Research Organization (UHERO), Saunders Hall Rm 540, 2424 Maile Way, Honolulu, Hawai'i 96822, USA

Abstract: We review the economics perspective on sustainable resource use and sustainable development. Under standard conditions, dynamic efficiency leads to sustainability of renewable resources but not the other way around. For the economic-ecological system as a whole, dynamic efficiency and intergenerational equity similarly lead to sustainability, but ad hoc rules of sustainability may well lead to sacrifices in human welfare. We then address the challenges of extending economic sustainability to space as well as time and discuss the factors leading to optimal islands of preservation regarding renewable resources. Exogenous mandates based on moral imperatives such as self-sufficiency and strong sustainability may result in missed win-win opportunities that could improve both the economy and the environment, as well as increase social welfare across generations.

Keywords: islands of sustainability; sustainable development; economic sustainability science; fisheries; forests; resource use; sustainable resources; economics; islands of preservation; renewable resources; social welfare.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSOC.2014.057887

International Journal of Sustainable Society, 2014 Vol.6 No.1/2, pp.9 - 27

Published online: 25 Oct 2014 *

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