Sustainability In Food System, Government, And Business: A Comprehensive Essay.

Module 1

The module contained information and features that aimed to analyze the sustainability of the food system that we interact with from the perspective of a system. Further, the factors that might lead to the emanation of the particular scenario have been indicated in the module whereby a vast spectrum may be considered including domains like that of social, economic, cultural and ecological with an approach from global to local context. Following identification of the wide array of factors, narrowing down to the principal factors may be carried out resulting in the production of three core variables capable of interacting with one another.

The interactions and linkages between the factors have been recognized as a vital aspect to make way for appropriate measures in relation to understanding the sustainability of the food system and this is fulfilled by virtue of consideration of the systems thinking, a management discipline dedicated to its understanding (Capone et al. 2014). I am particularly happy about being able to complete this module as it presented with enough scope for me to probe deeper into the pivotal issue by means of undertaking appropriate procedures and methods. In today’s world, food system is considered as a major aspect of the wellbeing and human progress.

However, the shrinkage of agricultural spaces and other environmental factors have been observed to affect the balance in the food supply and demand. To some extent the failure of food systems have lead to the gross crisis in food supply thereby thwarting the future of agriculture. However restoration and sustainability may be expected through reversal of environmental decline through introduction of a lever termed as EcoTipping Point (Rosin, Stock and Campbell 2013). Moreover, the measurement of sustainability has been found to be possible through measurement of the resilience factor. Thus apart from the ecological aspects of resilience, inclusion of the human activities in resilience might offer holistic understanding of the sustainability concept in the socio-ecological domain considering the stakeholders involved and evaluation of the suitable policies (Xu et al. 2015). This module enabled me to identify the factors that may be held responsible for harboring such negative outcomes thereby allowing for recognizing the contradictions which hindered the solutions directed to prevent the throbbing issue of food crisis.

I particularly felt strongly about the food crisis issue while dealing with the problem as it is a major concern even in the global context and calls for prompt and prudent interventions to mitigate the challenges that might ensue in the process.  More than the theoretical underpinnings, the information provided in the module has immense practical implications as in the current scenario food crisis is one of the hot topics that has garnered attention of the researcher, policy makers and community dwellers alike. The assessment of urban food systems are being religiously followed in order to cater to the needs of the time and in reliving the burden of challenges that rend to hinder the functioning of the food system (Landert et al. 2017). Move towards a better tomorrow is ensured through such actions by coalition of the distinguished tasks performed by the individual members associated with taking crucial decisions and making suitable recommendations.

Factors involved in evaluating the sustainability of the food system

The information provided in course of the module act as important resources to strategically conduct evaluations and suitable remedies in an effort to drastically manage the food crisis issue. An important implication of the data and facts retrieved suggest the development of a proper assessment tool that might compare the food provision and validate the significant variation in food sustainability if any (Goggins and Rau 2016).  Therefore, in future practice I will try to utilize and incorporate this assessment tool to evaluate the necessary changes and outcomes as well as strategize recommendations specific to the pertinent condition. I gained important understanding about systems thinking alongside its application to sustainability as well as socio-ecological system through resilience concept in course of this module.

In this module, vital anecdotes have been represented with respect to sustainability in the government context. The sustainability issue in the environmental context is unfathomable with the help of an individual effort instead a collaborative framework approach is required to generate the necessary results. Implementation of the sustainable framework is only possible when appropriate governmental initiatives are undertaken through utilization of useful tools that account for requisite planning and policymaking. However, solitary efforts cannot pave ways for holistic outcomes and hence participation and partnerships are also necessary. The availability of a wide range of information regarding the prevalence of the governmental initiatives in facilitating sustainability thus accentuates the knowledge base with respect to execution of the individual tasks that might aid in performance improvement (Barnett, Darnall and Husted 2015). I am complacent about this module as it highlighted a very crucial aspect that is imperative for fostering sustainable development through efforts and pertinent initiatives from the government.

It is imperative to carry out the processes and tasks in a directive manner so that the optimal benefits may be derived from undertaking the proposed project in the environmental context. The government holds the authority for strategizing and implementing the consensus matter to procure the advantages. I found the planning and policymaking particularly intriguing as it is pivotal for the success of a project undertaken (Tseng, Tan and Siriban-Manalang 2013). The idea of partnership and participation also appealed to me as in this age of globalization, holistic effort and approach from all corners is desirable to execute a proper function and result in the generation of maximum results. An isolated effort is most likely to harbor ill outcomes and hence integrated and all round efforts are required to account for sustainable development through rendering socio-economical and environmental influences.

Interactions and linkages between the factors

A synergistic effort through environmental conservation, facilitation of economic growth and social development has been advocated through the governmental initiatives so that sustainable developments might occur. Thus, the information presented in this module is crucial with respect to implementation of the policy that might be beneficial to execute the purpose of sustainability in the environmental sector (Lennon 2015). Thus, I feel the implications of this module has a far reaching consequence as it is directly related to the factors that have the potential to accentuate the progressive processes. The important insight and information that I gained from the module will help me to be aware about the happenings around me thereby widening my horizon regarding the knowledge related to the various aspects of government policies and initiatives.

Further, I feel a community practice for sustainability is the most suitable strategy that will help in the long run and aid in the emancipation of the delicate environmental issues (Reed et al. 2014). Hence, in my endeavor to emphasize on the environmental issues I will try to incorporate the concepts and vital information gained from this module to achieve the desirable outcomes. The multiple attributes of facilitators will be utilized in the process for fostering success and I will try to implement collaborative practice with established shared norms and common interest alongside build up of trust and cooperation.

The proceedings of this module comprised of vital issues relevant to sustainability in business. The topics that have been covered in course of the module encompassed a systems approach for the purpose of implementation of sustainability in business. The various tools for measuring and assessing sustainability have also been highlighted in this module. Moreover, a step ahead in the business realm has emphasized on innovation and leadership for promoting sustainability in business sector. Substantial proportion of sustainable development in the business oriented industries, organizations and societies are desirable for ensuring holistic growth and development encompassing every element.

Radical transformations are most likely to occur as a consequence of such actions (Schaltegger, Hansen and Lüdeke-Freund 2016). I enjoyed this module very much as I offered ample scope to explore ewer and novel areas that has the potential of harboring positive benefits and bring forth effective changes. In line with the organizational goals and objectives, it is vital to work with sustainability oriented business models for devising suitable measures to execute the proposed functions. The role of the leaders and the innovations that are in prevalence are vital to maintain the vital principles that have been agreed upon. In order to drive the necessary cultural and structural changes, consideration must be made of all the stakeholders. I found this feature quite striking as it is quite promising. Study has focused on dynamic adaptive organizational change through extraordinary leadership quality to foster the issue of sustainability that is often synonymous with corporate social responsibility for generating optimal outcomes. Clear perceptions and accurate predictions ability on the part of the leaders are the desirable traits in this regard (Metcalf and Benn 2013).

Measurement of sustainability through resilience factor

The module depicted certain vital insights and facts pertinent to the measurements and assessments of sustainability through highlight on important concepts of contemporary issues of effect of leadership that essentially attend to the major environmental concerns including climate change, resource constrained economy among many. Emergence of newer enterprises is expressing their concerns and taking up initiatives accordingly, that might help them to better take on the brimming issues of modern times (Blowfield 2013). In my future practice, I am keening on paying more attention to the causes of environmental matters that is paramount to the sustainable development. I will invest in prudent and pragmatic approaches to utilize the natural resources without jeopardizing the environmental balance. Thus, parity may be established through proportionate and adequate utilization of the resources that may lead to the alleviation of the poverty and food crisis (Thurman 2016).

A contemporary and pertinent issue related to sustainability and civil society has been the central theme of this module. Implementation of sustainability in civil society by virtue of a system approach has been talked about as well as suggestions have been made regarding relevant tools that might steer behavior changes in communities and individuals. Moreover, the issue of visioning and action for promotion of sustainable future has also been indicated as a vital aspect in the module. The idea of community participation is a coveted concept of today where every member possesses definite roles to contribute in decision making, conflict mediation and planning phase for proper execution of the tentative plan (Lovan, Murray and Shaffer 2017).

I feel enriched after completion of this module as I get to know elaborately regarding the propositions for the role of the community members in accounting for a sustainable future. I found it fulfilling to know that for sustainable existence, integrated efforts rather than isolated initiatives are essential. Creation of a thriving, fit for survival, equitable and ecological environment is dependent upon the respective roles performed by the individual members (Wheeler 2013). An important contribution of this module is that it focused on assessment of the sustainability issue with special reference to the community attributes. Nowadays amongst the various available means of evaluating the sustainability, the applicability of the multi-criterion rating systems has been identified as an effective mode of assessment. Sustainability itself being a complex concept, involvement of multiple factors is desirable to extract optimum benefits (Berardi 2013). This is an important implication of the contents of this module in my opinion.

Implications of the module

Therefore, the knowledge gained from this module will help me to apply better ideas and concepts to make way for a sustainable future that will be beneficial for everyone. However, I presume that understanding and knowledge about the best practices that are aimed for management and measurement of economical, corporate social as well as environmental impacts is integral to strategize remedies and techniques that in turn will stand for a sustainable future. Testing of the capacity of the respective organizations in conjunction with reforms and amendments in the political, governmental, community, economical and corporate context is considered as a desirable way of promoting sustainability (Epstein and Buhovac 2014). Amalgamation of all these ideas will aid in enhancing my performance in future concerning decision making, planning and informing and making others aware about the significance of sustainability.

References

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Blowfield, Michael. Business and sustainability. oxford university Press, 2013.

Capone, Roberto, Hamid El Bilali, Philipp Debs, Gianluigi Cardone, and Noureddin Driouech. "Food system sustainability and food security: connecting the dots." Journal of Food Security 2, no. 1 (2014): 13-22.

Epstein, Marc J., and Adriana Rejc Buhovac. Making sustainability work: Best practices in managing and measuring corporate social, environmental, and economic impacts. Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2014.

Goggins, Gary, and Henrike Rau. "Beyond calorie counting: Assessing the sustainability of food provided for public consumption." Journal of Cleaner Production 112 (2016): 257-266.

Landert, Jan, Christian Schader, Heidrun Moschitz, and Matthias Stolze. "A Holistic Sustainability Assessment Method for Urban Food System Governance." Sustainability 9, no. 4 (2017): 490.

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Lovan, W. Robert, Michael Murray, and Ron Shaffer, eds. Participatory governance: Planning, conflict mediation and public decision-making in civil society. Routledge, 2017.

Metcalf, Louise, and Sue Benn. "Leadership for sustainability: An evolution of leadership ability." Journal of Business Ethics 112, no. 3 (2013): 369-384.

Reed, Maureen G., Hélène Godmaire, Paivi Abernethy, and Marc-André Guertin. "Building a community of practice for sustainability: strengthening learning and collective action of Canadian biosphere reserves through a national partnership." Journal of environmental management 145 (2014): 230-239.

Rosin, Christopher, Paul Stock, and Hugh Campbell, eds. Food systems failure: The global food crisis and the future of agriculture. Routledge, 2013.

Schaltegger, Stefan, Erik G. Hansen, and Florian Lüdeke-Freund. "Business models for sustainability: Origins, present research, and future avenues." (2016): 3-10.

Thurman, Paul W. Entrepreneurship and sustainability: business solutions for poverty alleviation from around the world. Routledge, 2016.

Tseng, Ming-Lang, Raymond R. Tan, and Anna Bella Siriban-Manalang. "Sustainable consumption and production for Asia: sustainability through green design and practice." Journal of Cleaner Production 40 (2013): 1-5.

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Xu, Li, Dora Marinova, and Xiumei Guo. "Resilience thinking: a renewed system approach for sustainability science." Sustainability Science 10, no. 1 (2015): 123-138.