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
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
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