In 1987 the United Nations published the report World Commission on Environment and
Development: Our Common Future. Written within this report was the
statement that “living standards that go beyond minimum are sustainable only if
consumption standards everywhere have regard from long-term sustainability.”
Ten years after this the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organisation (UNESCO) realised the Declaration
on the Responsibility of the Present Generations Towards Future Generations
(1997). The theme running through this document is that “those presently alive
today should at the very least take account of the interests that future
generations will have” (Sustainable Environment, n.d.). I believe that these
statements are pivotal to the success or failure of the impact of
sustainability in the future for two main reasons. First of all they highlight
the importance of living within our means and not using or abusing resources
just because they are available. However, it is hard to measure this as our
needs are “socially and culturally determined” (UNESCO, 1997). The second
point, is the importance of sustainable practices being constant throughout
society. From my previous blogs it is clear that this is not the case between
organisations, cultures and countries. Wiess (1992) writes that “sustainable
development relies on a commitment to equity for future generations” (p. 19)
but contradicts the ideologies of the present to “take advantage of temporary
control over the earth’s resources . . . [instead] using them for [personal]
benefit” (p. 19). The following video from Alex Steffin shows the commitment some
individuals are making in regards to creating a sustainable future already.
·
overuse of natural resources
·
removal of ecosystems
·
extensive deforestation
·
over-fishing
Individuals need to become more aware of the companies and
international corporations that participate in these activities and send a
strong message to these companies that we, as a society, do not approve of
these practices and are committed to our future generations. A prime example of
this is when Cadbury was forced to stop using palm oil in its chocolate
due to the pressures they faced from consumers. This was due to the negative
environmental impacts palm oil plantations have on the natural environment.
Throughout this blog I have been constantly reminded about
how big the social issue of sustainability is, however, it is examples like the
one above that demonstrates the importance of individuals standing up for what
they believe in, making progress in the bid to create a sustainable future for
generations to come however this may look.
About palm oil. (n.d.).
Retrieved from http://www.saynotopalmoil.com/palm-oil.php
BroadcastBC. (2012,
October 28). The route to a sustainable
future [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8K9PplHfDAI
Francesob. (2010). The effects of globalization on the
environment. Retrieved from http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/6301040-the-effects-of-globalization-on-the-environment
Sustainable Practices.
(n.d.). Future generations. Retrieved
from http://www.sustainable-environment.org.uk/Principles/Future_Generations.php
United Nations. (1987). World commission on environment and
development: Our common future. Retrieved from http://www.un-documents.net/wced-ocf.htm
United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. (1997). Declaration on the responsibility of the present generations towards
future generations. Retrieved from http://www.unesco.org/cpp/uk/declarations/generations.pdf
Weiss, E. (1992). In fairness to future generations and
sustainable development. Retrieved from http://digitalcommons.wcl.american.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=149
8&context=auilr
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