A revolution in strategy, not evolution of practice: Towards an integrative regional cumulative impacts framework

Abstract

Ours is not the first call to reform or rethink the way that we conceptualise and address cumulative impacts. Indeed, this subject has received much attention from both scholars and practitioners with near universal criticism of how we measure, assess, and regulate cumulative impacts. Progress has been made in Canada to rethink cumulative impacts, but there is still much room for improvement. In particular, the overwhelming emphasis in natural resource policy and practice has been how the cumulative impacts of industrial development influence only the environment. There has been little focus on the other elements of sustainability, our economy, and the social well-being and health of human populations. We argue that new directions forward must include a formal recognition of the health of ecosystems in combination with the needs of communities. In the final chapter, we provide a synthesis of key points that have emerged from earlier chapters and supporting literatures. We build on those past criticisms and recommendations and present a general framework for an integrative and regional approach to the assessment and management of cumulative impacts. We propose six principles and five elements that provide the structure for conceptualising an integrative regional cumulative impacts framework that can be adapted to unique regional circumstances. Even failing full construction and implementation of such a framework, we feel that these principles and elements are the starting point for dialogue on how to better address the broad suite of cumulative impacts that are occurring at ever greater rates across developing landscapes.