From One Earth to One World

From One Earth to One World
World Commission on Environment and Development

The article discusses the connection between economic actions and the environment. The need for humanity to fit into the changing planetary system in a new way is recognized and the idea is to incorporate the idea that "our cultural and spiritual heritages can reinforce our economic interests and survival imperatives." The article goes on to point out various global challenges, including the failures of 'development'. These include a rising number of hungry people, illiteracy, lack of safe water and homes, and a struggle to maintain wood fuel to cook and keep warm. The article then turns its focus on the environmental trends that have been a part of this failing development. Issues include destruction of forests, acid precipitation, carbon dioxide, depletion of ozone, and increased chances of cancer for humans and animals. It is said that "it is impossible to separate economic development issues from environmental issues". It connects these issues to the increase in world poverty and international inequality.
A main focus of the article is the World Commission of Environment and Development, whose goals are to: re-examine the issues and formulate realistic proposals to deal with them, international co-operation, and to increase understanding of the commitment to action of individuals and organizations. It is emphasized that the issues we are facing currently cannot be compartmentalized, but rather should be recognized as one. Economic activity must begin to take into account its impact it has on the ecosystem and earth's resources. Unfair use of resources between nations has been recognized and the richer nations have been exploiting poor nations for their resources. Some of the poorer countries have been mistreated to the point of not being able to produce anything on their lands anymore. Richer nations have been able to hold power over poor by creating trade barriers. Military spending worldwide has also become an important part of how nations interact and maintain resources. In essence, our practices up until now have been unsustainable and in order to ensure future generations livelihood.

In the Commission's hearing it was the young, those who have the most to lose, who were the harshest critics of the planet's present mismanagement.

The World Commission on Environment and Development recognized many major problems that are directly connected to the system we now live in. These numbers indicate a need to change to a more sustainable lifestyle. It is proposed that to meet the essential needs of humanity a new era of economic growth of nations is required. This includes the assurance that the poor receive their fair share of the resources and the idea that political systems must ensure citizen participation in decision making on the international level. It goes on to say "Sustainable development is not a fixed state of harmony, but rather a process of change in which the exploitation of resources , the direction of investments, the orientation of technological development, and institutional change are made consistent with future as well as present needs." It finishes by saying that sustainable development must rest in political will.


We live in a world in which few prosper from the work of many, and our political systems enable (supported by economic needs) rich to take from the poor on a global scale. The repercussions of this seemingly selfish behavior includes not only environmental degradation but also cultural. We have allowed our economic goals to blind us to the full impacts of our actions and it is time for the world to recognize the need for change. Sustainable development in my opinion is the only way for humans to continue life even on this planet. Resources are required for life, but they are limited. I think it is so important to begin this process now, before it is too late to revert our destructive behaviors. The U.S. should choose to be a leader on these issues because as one nation raises its standards, others will begin to follow suit. I think the thing that would have the greatest impact on our current system is to switch to a no carbon emissions energy system. This would alleviate global warming and also create new jobs for people in the U.S. The switch to sustainable energy is much more efficient and supports a future for our children. We must also consider using less resources overall, forcing corporations to switch from making one-time use products that are made to be thrown away. This would decrease pollution and put more value on what people buy. A big part of change should also include a shift to corporate accountability in which third world countries are not exploited completely for their resources without putting an actual price to fit the product on what is consumed. Worldwide we should demand fair wages and work to actually help struggling nations to get back on their feet and support themselves. The resources are available; we just have to allocate these resources fairly and efficiently in a sustainable way.

पास
Mandy Simmons

Media and Sovereignty

Media and Sovereignty by Monroe Price

In Price's article, he introduces his topic by posing the idea that as new technology in information exchange are developed there is always a response by those who feel threatened. The article is based around the topic of controls and limits on the information conveyed through media and concludes in an examination of the current situation in India. One main idea presented is that internet has efficiently overwhelmed physical and legislative boundaries to communicate information that otherwise would not be conveyed. This is presented as the idea of "technologies of freedom", which are also said to help in the spread of democracy. Information growth expands the national economy and international trade, and also reduces separatist identities and the possibility of genocide and war. It is argued that the state is having trouble controling this flow of information, and this is threatening the stability of some cultures and communities. Price points out that in theory, one can recognize a "death" of state power in creating law, however in every day reality the laws of the state are needed to fulfill the need for order and security, reguations of decency, and moral controls. The article also posed the idea that the influences of media create a sense of identity for people and the cureent technological freedom may have affects on the physical map as people are exposed to different media. In some countries, it becomes a question of protection or social unrest that may result from miscommunication or the acquisition of information that may cause citizens of a country to reevaluate the current powers and restraints on freedom. Governments must take into account the history and culture of the areas they rule when making decisions about protection from certain types of media.

As I read this, I was troubled by the thought of a power determining the tastes and preferences of the people it rules. How much say should the government or other ruling power have over what is available to people? Should the power remain in its position of its very ability to rule was only acquired based on a specific understanding that was created for its nation by a media source it created? But I recognize as well that we must have a basis understanding of issues such as morals and human rights that is common among a people in order to even have a functioning community to govern, and creating 'peace' for the people who are dominated with the help of media may not be so horrible. As long as people have access to reality and understand the system they have come to accept in a broad understanding of the conditions in the world. I understand that as an American citizen I have a certain identity, but it also means that I must come to accept some things to be truth and may not even be conscious of all of the underlying beliefs that come with being raised in our society. I also think it is important to quickly point out the influences of TNC's in this overall power of media in society in relation to state power. States have allowed this consumer culture to be indulged and spread, and its impacts have been widespread. What would our world be like without media and mass communication at the click of a button? Would there even be such a concept as globalization?

पास
Mandy Simmons