Sustainability as a motive for leisure-time gardening: a view from the 'veggie patch'. Issue 6 (2nd November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Burgin, Shelley
• Is Part Of: International journal of environmental studies. Volume 75:Issue 6(2018)
• Page Start: 1000
• Page End: 1010
• Publication Date: 2018-11-02
• Subjects: Sustainability -- economic -- social-cultural -- environmental -- gardening; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; 333.707
• DOI: 10.1080/00207233.2018.1464277
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-7233

Abstract

Abstract: There are many definitions of 'sustainability', but the term exists within social, economic and environmental contexts, the 'three pillars' of sustainability. Although governments, businesses and communities have embraced the concept, there appears to be limited understanding of it at the individual level. This paper reports a desktop survey to investigate the drivers of sustainability that motivate leisure-time gardening in private (backyard) and public (community) gardens. There was little mention of the 'three pillars' and they were seldom interlinked. A key element of ensuring sustainable futures is to engage individuals in behavioural change. It is necessary to raise awareness of sustainability in an individual's everyday leisure activities. Leisure-time gardening is one way forward.