Chris Boone is not just your average dean at USC; he’s also a hobbyist astrophotographer. During the day, he leads the USC Price School of Public Policy, but by night, he captures stunning images of the cosmos. Boone’s expertise lies in urban sustainability and environmental justice, where he sees cities as vast, interconnected systems influenced by invisible forces.
Boone has dedicated his career to understanding the intricate forces shaping our world and their effects on both people and the planet. His curiosity for patterns, whether in the stars above or in city landscapes, has greatly influenced his work.
In a recent interview with USC News, Boone shared his thoughts on urban sustainability and the challenges we face in safeguarding our cities and the environment. One area of interest for him is the impact of urbanization on environmental and social outcomes, a topic he explored in-depth during his undergraduate studies.
When asked about his definition of sustainability, Boone emphasized the importance of improving well-being for current and future generations while protecting the ecosystems that sustain all life. He believes that sustainability is not just about the environment but also about human well-being and social justice.
One key aspect of sustainability that Boone feels is often overlooked is the importance of fair and just processes in achieving sustainable outcomes. He stressed the need for active intervention in systems to create better conditions for society and the environment.
Boone highlighted the value of taking a systems approach to sustainability, which involves considering the interconnected nature of socio-ecological and technical systems. This approach, he explained, helps us develop better solutions by understanding how society, the economy, and the environment influence each other.
In discussing the role of cultural values in shaping sustainable solutions, Boone shared a framework that includes systems thinking, futures thinking, values thinking, strategic competence, and collaborative competence. He emphasized the importance of negotiating across different cultural values to find common ground in sustainability efforts.
Despite the challenges we face, Boone remains optimistic about the future. He believes that history is filled with examples of significant change and that achieving sustainability goals is within reach. In particular, he highlighted the unique opportunity for Los Angeles to lead the way in driving global change, especially with major events like the Olympics and World Cup on the horizon.
