What are the concepts behind each of the three unifying themes—sound science, sustainability, and stewardship?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Sound science is based on the rigors of the methods and practice of legitimate science. This means years of observation, experimentation, and peer review are behind it. Sound science involves an approach to understanding how the natural world works, an approach that has become known as the scientific method. Careful observation is of utmost importance. Solutions to environmental problems should not be implemented without sound science behind them.
Sustainability is a system or process that can be continued indefinitely, without depleting any of the material or energy resources required to keep it running. A solution to any problem isn't useful if it costs too much money to keep doing, uses too many resources, impairs people's ability to work well and live decently, or puts many companies out of business and people out of work. For example, a decree that no more rain forests can be cut is not sustainable unless a way for the indigenous people to survive and live a decent lifestyle can be found to replace their previous livelihood of slash-and-burn agriculture. Mandating that all farms are organic and pesticide free is unsustainable if the crop is lost to locusts or other pests year after year. If a system is to be sustainable, it also has to be well thought out and in balance. Like sound science, solutions to environmental problems should not be implemented unless they are sustainable.
Stewardship ties these together. It is the actions and programs that manage natural resources and human well-being for the common good. Stewards are those who care for something—from the natural world or from human culture—that they do not own and that they will pass on to the next generation. Modern-day environmental stewardship, therefore, incorporates an ethic that guides actions taken to benefit the natural world as well as people. Like the other two concepts, environmental solutions should include stewardship as an impetus. We only have one planet, and we have to share it with the present population and future populations as well.