Sustainability movement and contemporary environmental practices

Sustainability

For the planet and her people to survive, the world's people must embrace the sustainability movement, for modern man is using up the Earth's resources at an alarming, and perhaps catastrophic rate.

Define Sustainability

Use national and international definitions.

Also define sustainability and natural resources.

Describe the sustainability movement, and use some specific examples

Biodiversity

Ecology

Community

Commerce

Natural Resources

Biospehre

Biodiversity

Describe how biodiversity and sustainability support one another.

Use "biodiversity in food" to show how consumers can make a difference when they buy food.

Sustainability and Natural Resources

Describe how the natural world works in relationship to sustainability.

Discuss the overfishing of the oceans.

Discuss genetic crops

Discuss the natural world and the effects of global warming.

Discuss other natural resource issues, such as animals displaced by global warming and other issues.

Problems

Application of Elements.

Education and Sustainability

Use Goodall Institute information to show how educating children now can create future sustainability leaders.

Create new sustainability project that has to do with natural resources. (Create a local, accepted currency.)

Identify and describe project.

Explain how to pitch it to community, including businesses it would affect.

Problems and Solutions.

Conclusion

The Sustainability Movement

This paper analyzes the sustainability movement. Specifically, it discusses the definition of the sustainability movement, examples of the movement, and focus on sustainability and natural resources.

The sustainability movement is gaining ground in the United States and around the world. For the planet and her people to survive, the world's people must embrace the sustainability movement, for modern man is using up the Earth's resources at an alarming, and perhaps catastrophic rate.

The sustainability movement is made up of many different groups, organizations, and ideas, blending together to create a more sustainable planet for humankind. Without sustainability and all it entails, the planet is on a collision course with catastrophe and deficiency. The editors at the Citizens Network for Sustainable Development define sustainability using three terms, economic, social, and environmental. The Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development, developed in 1995 defines sustainability as,."..economic development, social development and environmental protection are interdependent and mutually reinforcing components of sustainable development, which is the framework for our efforts to achieve a higher quality of life for all people" ("What is Sustainability?"). Thus, sustainability involves not only natural resources and the planet's environment; it involves creating workable solutions to maintaining resources, the economy, and society to ensure the survival of all facets of life as we know it today.

The sustainability movement is a social movement that attempts to blend a high quality lifestyle with environmental and scientific approaches to life to help maintain human existence. The movement is difficult to define and describe because it comprises so many different groups, organizations, and individuals working for a sustainable future. Everything from natural resources to genetically engineered foods, endangered species, and alternative forms of energy fall into the sustainable movement, so it is all encompassing. Yet, many people now recognize while the movement's scope is broad, it is absolutely necessary to ensure the survival of the human race on Earth.

Some of the specific areas addressed in the sustainability movement include ecology, and the maintenance of specific ecosystems, such as the Amazon River watershed and tropical jungle. The ecology includes the interaction between all life in an area, and is vital to maintaining a biological and environmental balance on the planet. It includes water and crop management, and many other aspects of the ecological landscape.

Another area addressed by sustainable movements is community. The community must be aware of sustainability options and choices, but communities can also group together to form their own sustainability resources and movements. This is illustrated by the communities engaged in local currencies, discussed later in this article, as well as communities involved in developing green programs, recycling, and alternative forms of energy. Communities must embrace the sustainability movement to begin to educate the public about sustainability and begin workable programs at the grassroots level of society.

Many people worry that the sustainability movement will affect the economy and commerce, so the movement attempts to address these areas as well. Poverty is a main contributor to hunger and low-grade lifestyles in many third-world countries, and the aim of the sustainability movement is to improve economies to sustain a higher level of life. Developing viable commercial options is one of the ways the movement hopes to create a better lifestyle for everyone. Reducing poverty also takes a load off local ecological systems, by giving more people the means for making a viable living away from low-level agricultural and other resource-based occupations ("Various"). In addition to improving lifestyles by reducing poverty, the sustainability movement hopes to increase global trade to help improve the economies of many third-world countries. One way to improve economies is to reduce the exploitation of large, multi-national corporations who do business in foreign countries and pay low wages and support sweatshop-like conditions. The ultimate goal is to improve commerce through viable means that aide corporations and people alike, to improve commerce and the economy around the world.

Improving the condition of the biosphere is another element of the sustainability movement. The biosphere is the global layer or environment that sustains life. Currently the Earth is growing warmer due to the effects of global warming, which have weakened the biosphere and allowed greenhouse gases to accumulate at a rapid level, creating global warming and a change in the entire biosphere. To sustain the Earth, the biosphere must be protected, and this is another important goal the sustainability movement is moving toward ("Various"). Many groups target each of these areas of sustainability, or target several of them at once. Some groups target all of them.

Biodiversity and sustainability go hand in hand because they are both geared to create ecologically sound choices that will help the planet survive. Biodiversity studies the relationships between life and its environment ("Biodiversity and Your Food"), while sustainability attempts to create solutions when life and its environment are threatened. In fact, the two movements support each other in a number of ways, from research and development to creating solutions consumers and everyday people can utilize in their daily lives. One of these solutions relates to the food chain, and indicates how consumers can make a difference when they shop and prepare food.

Of course, biodiversity exists in every area of the natural world, but one area where consumers can make a difference in is the food they purchase and consume. Basically, to sustain the plant life of the world, consumers can make choices when they shop that will help conserve resources and add to the sustainability of the food chain. Organic produce, for example, uses no chemicals or fertilizers, and so has less impact on farmland than other types of crops. When consumers choose to buy local, organic produce, they are choosing to help local farmers and have less impact on farmland. Another thing consumers can do is buy produce when it is in season, rather than relying on foreign grown produce, which is shipped thousands of miles to market. Buying products with minimal packaging requirements helps cut down on waste, and recycling waste or creating a compost pile helps reduce the amount of waste in landfills. All of these things have an affect on the biodiversity and sustainability of the planet, because they use fewer natural resources and leave more of the planet in balance, which is the goal of biodiversity ("Biodiversity and Your Food").

Sustainability and the Earth's natural resources also go hand in hand. Sustaining the natural resources of any area can keep the biodiversity of the area intact, but it also ensures resources will be available for generations to come. For example, creating alternatives to building with wood can help save the forests throughout the world, and ensure there is enough wood to go around for many centuries. Raw materials such as lumber, and of course many others, are the very "foundation" of our lives ("Natural Resource Commodities"). If we do not sustain their availability, then life on the planet cannot go on as it has been going on, and the change could be so great it harms the planet forever. That is why sustaining the world's natural resources is such a vital element of the sustainability movement ("Natural Resource Commodities").

Another problem facing the sustainability movement in the area of natural resources is the overfishing of the world's oceans. In fact, "Over 2/3 of the world's fisheries are presently overexploited fully exploited or depleted" ("Biodiversity and Your Food"). Some of the affected species include sea scallops, salmon in the Atlantic and Pacific, flounder, herring, black sea bass, monkfish, and many others. The object of sustainable fishery practices is to ensure many of these overfished species survive in order to feed the world for generations to come. The most recent American Sustainable Fisheries Act was signed in 1996 ("Office of Sustainable Fisheries") and it oversees a wide variety of species from the Atlantic and Caribbean to the Northern Pacific. The biggest problem with maintaining sustainable fisheries levels around the world is gaining the cooperation of other counties. Many other countries, such as Japan and some European nations do not comply with sustainable fishery practices, which means they are depleting the fisheries at a more rapid rate than countries who do comply, and they could fish many species into extinction. However, many countries besides the United States understand the importance of creating sustainable fishing practices. Many countries around the globe are working to reduce or control overfishing while still providing popular seafood items to diners around the world.

Overfishing is not the only problem with the world's fisheries that can lead to nonsustainability. Other practices include net and trawling fishing (sometimes called "longline" fishing) that can take up many other species along with the intended catch, such as birds and dolphins. Managing fishing practices to maintain sustainability is also an ongoing effort in sustainable fishing to ensure that the endangerment of other species does not continue ("Office of Sustainable Fisheries"). Thus, overfishing sustainability relates to other marine creatures that might be endangered, which many people might not think of when they think of sustainability in the world's oceans.

Perhaps one of the biggest threats facing the Earth today is global warming, and what it will do to the various natural resources of the world. The recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change meeting brought attention to the growing concern about global warming and its affect on the planet. The group's findings include "there is more than a 90% probability that human action has contributed towards recent climate change, and contains a series of projections for future impacts, including on temperatures, sea level rise, and extreme weather events" (Gutierrez, Munoz, and Johnson). This is perhaps the biggest threat that sustainability must seek to correct. As the Earth heats up, entire climates and species can be displaced or affected, and the entire face of the Earth could change.

The sustainability movement in natural resources faces many problems, as it does in other areas. Some people simply do not take the affects of pollution and overuse seriously. They believe the natural world will be there "forever," and man cannot destroy it. Of course, the movement must overcome these obstacles and continue to work to create new habitats for endangered species, and manage the species left on the planet. Without sustainability, eventually global warming and many other issues could threaten the entire natural world, and so, the sustainability movement must strive to be taken seriously while they attempt to manage the planet for future generations.

There are many things people can do to help slow the affects of global warming. They can drive less, or drive hybrid cars. They can recycle, and buy products that are packaged with fewer waste components. They can buy locally, supporting local business and reducing transportation costs, and they can buy energy efficient appliances whenever possible. Replacing regular light bulbs with florescent lights is a help, as well. They can plant trees and urge others to plant them as well, and support local botanical and other gardens. If you do not have a local garden, think about creating one. Support environmental and sustainability organizations with donations or gift memberships ("Shopper's Checklist" and Errick). People can become involved in local sustainability movements and educate others on the need for sustainability and resource management, as well.

Education is one of the key elements in the sustainability movement, as much of this paper illustrates. Many people in America and around the world still do not understand sustainability or the part they play in the overall health and well-being of the planet. Many educators believe the sustainability movement must "reinvent" social, economic, and environment ideas in our culture to help create a culture that sustains the resources while still being economically viable (Cortese, a.D., and McDonough, W. 11). Many higher education facilities are including sustainability education in their curriculum, and many experts feel even more of this is necessary to help prepare and instruct the world's future leaders. Projects could also reach out to the community, to parents, and to other educators to get more facilities involved.

Higher education in sustainability is important, but so is reaching even younger students. For example, the Jane Goodall Institute has helped develop a "Roots and Shoots" program to educate Tanzanian youngsters about the dangers of blast fishing with dynamite and mining coral reefs for lime. Both of these practices are common in Tanzania, and the program attempts to educate the young so they can "nurture a new generation of leaders committed to environmental action" ("In Tanzania"). Not only does this help educate a new generation of leaders, it helps spread the word in the community, as well. Children share their ideas and what they have learned with other family members and friends, and this helps spread understanding and awareness. Programs like this are absolutely key for developing a generation of leaders who are more environmentally aware and open to sustainability.

This community could use a local accepted currency, and that is the sustainability project chosen. Creating sustainability while maintaining a thriving local economy is a vital aspect of the sustainability movement. In fact, creating "micro-businesses" in a community is becoming a key ingredient in many local economies. Communities are developing "micro-loan" programs that support small, in-home businesses such as knitting, crafts, consulting, and many other service-oriented businesses (Lyons and Cornwell). Creating a local currency program fits in well with this economic goal in the sustainability movement, because local businesses add to the local economy, but can also manage local resources more effectively (Swann and Witt).

Local accepted currency is a legal means of doing business in a community with currency created and controlled in that community. This is not illegal, in fact, many banks used their own currencies in the early 20th century, but it has not been the accepted practice in the United States for many decades. The treasury department of the government approves of local currencies as long as they can be translated into dollars and accounted for in tax records (Swann and Witt). Thus, creating a local currency can stimulate the local economy and trade, and it can help small businesses as well. For example, a local currency supported loan program helped one woman update her cheese making facility to meet health standards, while it enabled another man to train his draft horses to haul wood, creating new business and saving valuable resources (such as truck transportation) (Swann and Witt).

One of the most creative uses of local currency was the creation of "Deli Dollars." A local restaurant owner wanted to move his restaurant, but could not obtain a traditional bank loan. Instead, he issued this "currency" to local customers who could redeem the dollars when his new store opened. He sold $10 worth of food for $8, redeemable after the new store opened. He gained the capital he needed to move, and helped add to the local economy. Customers purchased the Deli Dollars, but they were also used as gifts, and even turned up in the church's collection plate (Swann and Witt). Thus, a local currency project helps the communing and small business, which is vital in the overall economic sustainability of a region. The business receives the income from the currency at specific times during the year from the supporting bank, and people save money by purchasing currencies at reduced rates.