Towards phosphorus sustainability in North America: A model for transformational change

Jacobs, B; Cordell, D; Chin, J; Rowe, H

Towards phosphorus sustainability in North America: A model for transformational change

Jacobs, B

Cordell, D

Chin, J Rowe, H

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Environmental Science and Policy, 2017, 77 pp. 151 - 159
Issue Date:: 2017-11-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Jacobs, B https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3147-341X	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Cordell, D https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5138-1569	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Chin, J	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Rowe, H	en_US
dc.date.issued	2017-11-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Environmental Science and Policy, 2017, 77 pp. 151 - 159	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	1462-9011	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/125900
dc.description.abstract	© 2017 Elsevier Ltd 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.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Environmental Science and Policy	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.envsci.2017.08.009	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Environmental Sciences	en_US
dc.title	Towards phosphorus sustainability in North America: A model for transformational change	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	77	en_US
utslib.for	0503 Soil Sciences	en_US
utslib.for	1699 Other Studies in Human Society	en_US
utslib.for	0701 Agriculture, Land and Farm Management	en_US
utslib.for	05 Environmental Sciences	en_US
utslib.for	07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences	en_US
utslib.for	16 Studies in Human Society	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)/Institute For Sustainable Futures
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - ISF - Institute for Sustainable Futures
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	77	en_US

Abstract:

© 2017 Elsevier Ltd 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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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/125900