Humans have in some respects been the most successful species ever in the
history of the earth. Our numbers exceed 6 billion, six times what they were at the
start of the 19th century.
During a remarkably short period of time the processing of natural resources by
agriculture and industry has resulted in the loss of a quarter of the world's topsoil
and a fifth of its agricultural land, altered the composition of the atmosphere
profoundly, and destroyed a major proportion of our forests and natural habitats
without replacing them. Human behaviour seeking better livelihoods has driven
the rate of biological extinction, the permanent loss of species, up several
hundred times beyond its historical levels, and we are threatened with the loss of
a majority of all species by the end of the 21st century.
The statistics of change with respect to the human impact on the environment are
indeed remarkable. The area used for growing crops has increased by almost
six times since 1700. Of the easily accessible freshwater resources, we already
use more than half. We have fished up to the limits or beyond of two- thirds of
marine fisheries. We contribute 50 per cent more to the nitrogen cycle than all
natural resources combined. We have boosted the methane content of the
atmosphere by 145 per cent over natural levels. There is a large ozone hole over
the Antarctic.
To halt or reverse this trend requires a shift in thought and action to conserve
natural resources. The term
conservation came into use in the late 19th cent.
and referred to the management, mainly for economic reasons, of such valuable
natural resources as timber, fish, game, topsoil, pastureland, minerals, and also
to the preservation of forests, wildlife, and parkland. In recent years the science
has clarified the workings of the complex interrelationships among humans,
other animals, plants, and the physical environment. At the same time burgeoning
population and industry and the ensuing pollution, have demonstrated how easily
delicately balanced ecological relationships can be disrupted..
Conservation of natural resources is now usually embraced in the broader
conception of conserving the earth itself by protecting its capacity for self-
renewal. Particularly complex are the problems of nonrenewable resources such
as oil and coal and other minerals in great demand. Current thinking also
favours the protection of entire ecological regions by the creation of “biosphere
reserves.” Examples of such conservation areas include the Great Barrier Reef
off Australia and Adirondack State Park in the United States. The importance of
reconciling human use and conservation beyond the boundaries of parks has
become another important issue.
The shift from exploitation to conservation of natural resources, hinges on the 1992
meeting of world leaders for the United Nations conference on the environment
at Rio di Janeiro. This set out the global targets for restricting our depredations
on the planet, which are now being set by international agenda's and local
targets for behavioural change.
Consumption is not just about shopping but all the ways we use the planet's
resources in our everyday lives; from the food, clothes and electronics we
consume, to our central heating, how we get about and where and how we take
our holidays. These products and services all have social and environmental
impacts, whether in their production and distribution, when in 'use' or when they
are thrown away as waste. Thus, day-to-day lifestyle choices have direct and
indirect impacts on the environment. The greatest impact is due to the
consumption associated with housing, food, energy and personal travel. Such
activities result in the generation of waste and polluting emissions, which are a
major cause of environmental degradation and contribute to global climate
change.
As society has become more prosperous and the number of separate households
has increased, consumption levels have risen sharply. Four areas of our lives
generate four- fifths of our overall impact on the environment around us. There is
obviously huge potential to deliver improvements through consuming better
products and services as well as learning to consume differently. Attitudinal and
behavioural change is critical to achieving more ethical lifestyles and sustainable
patterns of consumption.
The conflict between socio-economic structures and attitudes and behaviour is
illustrated in the role of personal responsibility in achieving a sustainable planet.
Generally, people want to be able to control their lives and 'exert' agency in the
world. However, while there may be a willingness to participate in pro-
environmental behaviour, individuals are waiting for an enabling and supportive
structural framework to collectively facilitate desired behaviour. They often look to
others such as the government and business to take the lead i.e. the notion of "I
will if you will" and "I would, if I could".
Environmental citizenship is an idea that each of us is an integral part of a larger
ecosystem and our future depends on each one of us embracing the challenge,
and acting responsibly and positively toward our environment. It's about making
changes in our daily lives to be environmental citizens all day, every day.
The idea of environmental citizenship was first developed by 'Environment
Canada'. It is now spreading around the world. It is an idea similar to, and
compatible with, environmental stewardship in the Christian, Islam, and Judaic
traditions, but is not committed to or associated with any particular religious or
cultural tradition.
The biggest challenge however, is creating the social and political institutions that
foster broad patterns of economically and environmentally sustainable growth.
Already as a response to the global economic financial crisis there are
widespread discussions about opportunities on how to redesign global financial
bodies, such as the International Monetary Fund, to better meet the needs of the
21st century. A political debate on governments' role in preventing the financial
market failures that led to the current 2008 crisis, are at the heart of these
discussions.
This same debate must also embrace discussions on how to simultaneously
promote and control science and technology so that it can be harnessed for
sustainable development, driven by social need rather than private greed.
Underlying behavioural change is the need for education for sustainable
development to be brought to the centre of school curricula and life-long learning.
The aim is to link the knowledge of living within Earth's limits, with the practical
means to promote and implement it, working especially with the communities
and stakeholders most affected by serious environmental challenges. The focus
upon people as individuals and members of communities is an important
element of sustainable development. A wider acceptance of the need for
changes in behaviour at all levels of society, will only be possible when it is seen
to be able to link clearly and conclusively with economic development in general,
and its benefits to society are made clear, especially the promotion of social
justice and equity through the provision of education and action for creating
change. Education is an important step in this process.
We have a future in the world by utilising its resources for our livelihoods. These
resources have to be managed at all levels of production and consumption, to
keep our demands in equilibrium with their rate of production. This requires
setting ourselves free from wanting ever more goods and services, by adopting
appropriate behaviours for ecological liberty as citizens through minds and habits.
