While the concept of sustainability has been widely embraced, it has been only vaguely defined and is exceedingly difficult to measure. Sustainability indicators are critical to making the broad concept of sustainability operational by providing specific measures by which decision makers and the public can judge progress.
Sustainability Indicators defines the present state of the art in indicator development. It presents a comprehensive assessment of the science behind various indicators, while placing special emphasis on their use as communications tools. The contributors draw on their experience as academics and practitioners to describe the conceptual challenges to measuring something as complex as sustainability at local, regional, national, and global scales. The book also reviews existing indicators to assess how they could be better employed, considering which indicators are overused and which have been underutilized.
Sustainability Indicators will help planners and policy makers find indicators that are ready for application and relevant to their needs, and will help researchers identify the unresolved issues where progress is most urgently needed. All readers will find advice as to the most effective ways to use indicators to support decision making.
"…Sustainability Indicators brings us one step further in turning diverse scientific data into understandable and useful information that can be put to work in policy making processes and everyday life. As such, it is an authoritative reference volume for everyone involved with environmental information, sustainability issues, and the health of our planet."---Dr. Achim Steiner, United Nations Environment Programme Executive Director "This comprehensive volume is essential reading for anyone working professionally in the field of sustainability … a masterful job of surveying the current state of the field from a global scientific perspective. In addition to framing future research, the lessons here can (and should) be applied to business, local government, or any system where the measurement of sustainability is a condition of successful management."---Alan Atkisson, Executive Director, Earth Charter International "Sustainability Indicators is necessary reading for scholars, policymakers, and activists engaged in the critical task of taking the measure of our world along the equally vital dimensions of our economy, social justice, and the environment. It provides an invaluable guide to re-setting our direction towards an uncompromised future."---Michael Gelobter, President, Redefining Progress "Most useful for graduate students and researchers wanting to explore, develop, or use indicators of sustainability."
