Environment, Ecology, Survival
It Is Up To Us; ALL of Us
I am not going to even pretend that I know all the ins and outs about ecology and the environment. This series of pages is a study, mainly a series of links to websites written by people who should know more than the average Joe like myself.
If the ecology and environmental protection is as serious a matter as many would have us believe, than I thought it important to become acquainted with the facts. Only by knowledge of the truth, can we address the solutions.
Obviously we are all impacted by what happens to the environment in the same way. There is only one planet for us to live on. What happens in our neighborhood, happens to the whole world; and vice-versa, what happens in other parts of our planet, effects where we live. There is no isolation.
I am impressed greatly by the teachings of William E. Rees, the originator of the ecological footprint, who writes:
“Sustainable development thus implies any form of socioeconomic development that does not undermine the long-term productivity of supporting ecosystems. In the modern world, this requires a shared value framework or enforceable agreement that protects essential natural capital and the life-support service it provides. …., there can be no society/economy in the absence of a functional eco-sphere. My preferred definition of a sustainable society is a society characterized by functional democracy, social justice and reasonable equity and whose citizens are committed to living within the means of nature. Judging by the criteria implicit in this definition, global society is presently wildly unsustainable. ” Notes on the Sustainability Conundrum.
To read; “…global society is presently wildly unsustainable”, a feeling of pessimism comes over me. Is he saying that society is on the pathway to ruin? Does he infer that all of society needs to adapt to living a lifestyle that is “nature friendly”?
I characterize myself as an optimist living within reality. If all what the many ecologists and environmentalists are warning is true; I am sure there is a hope, a way that is attainable so that our grandchildren and their grandchildren can enjoy all the beauty and pleasures of living on this planet Earth.
Let us all learn together
Ecologists and environmentalists are holding out two options:
- Humanity can continue to increase production and consumption and rely on technology to solve environmental and ecological problems, or;
- Learn to manage the planet’s resources and manage our lifestyles with sustainability as the goal.
It is all a matter of a Question of Direction.
“What is your Eco-Footprint? Zerofootprint Inc. Toronto, ON Providing Information, Programs and Services to Organizations and Individuals Aiming to Reduce their Environmental Impact