Towards phosphorus sustainability in North America: A model for transformational change |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, NSW, Australia;2. School of Biological Sciences and Institute for Global Food Security, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom;3. McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, Scottsdale, Arizona and School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA;1. Department of Public Governance and Sustainable Development, MODUL University, Vienna, Austria;2. Disaster Risk Management Unit, Joint Research Centre, European Commission, Austria;3. Centre for Development and Environment, University of Bern, Switzerland;1. Technical University of Denmark, Department of Environmental Engineering, Denmark;2. University of Copenhagen, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Denmark;3. Vienna University of Technology, Institute for Water Quality, Resource and Waste Management, Austria;1. Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China;2. Center for Industrial Ecology, Yale University, New Haven 06511, United States;3. International Institute of Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), Laxenburg A2361, Austria;1. University of Nevada, Reno, United States;2. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, United States |
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| Abstract: | Global food production and security rely heavily on finite reserves of newly mined phosphate for fertilizers. However, systemic inefficiencies result in the deposition in aquatic ecosystems of much of the phosphorus mined for food production causing costly eutrophication problems that damage aquatic ecosystems and human health. The Sustainable Phosphorus Alliance (SPA, formerly named North American Partnership for Phosphorus Sustainability) was created to implement sustainable phosphorus solutions through active engagement of stakeholders in both the private and public sectors. This paper describes a conceptual model of transformative change to a sustainable phosphorus system for the North American region. The model emerged from discussions at a series of formal and informal meetings held in conjunction with a ‘Future of Phosphorus’ event (National Science Foundation’s Phosphorus Sustainability Research Coordination Network) and an inaugural SPA Board meeting. Model development drew on the multi-level perspective of socio-technical transitions to develop a series of pathways to a transformed phosphorus system. The uses of the model and transition pathways are discussed in terms of their potential to form an important first step towards the development of a regional vision for improved phosphorus sustainability. The process provides an example of how research in sustainability science can contribute to action on environmental improvement. |
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| Keywords: | Phosphorus Sustainability Transition pathways System transformation North America |
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