Sustainability
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| - | :''[[2000s]], [[21st century culture]], [[21st century politics]]'' | ||
| - | In the [[music industry]], there was a profound change in [[music distribution]]. Recent advents in [[digital technology]] have fundamentally altered industry and marketing practices as well as players in unusual rapidity. | ||
| - | ==Issues and concerns== | ||
| - | Issues that have been frequently discussed and debated so far in this century include: | + | '''Sustainability''' is the capacity to endure. For humans, sustainability is the long-term maintenance of well being, which has environmental, economic, and social dimensions, and encompasses the concept of [[union]], an interdependent relationship and mutual responsible position with all living and non living things on earth. This philosophical interpretation moves well beyond definitions driven by progress oriented economic perspectives that see humans as providing [[stewardship]], the responsible management of [[resources|resource use]]. In [[ecology]], sustainability describes how biological systems remain [[biodiversity|diverse]] and productive over time, a necessary precondition for human well-being. Long-lived and healthy [[wetlands]] and [[forests]] are examples of sustainable biological systems. |
| - | *'''[[Globalization]].''' Advances in [[telecommunications]] and [[transportation]], the expansion of [[capitalism]] and [[democratization|democracy]], and [[free trade]] agreements have resulted in unprecedented global economic and cultural integration. This has caused (and is continuing to cause) economic and cultural shifts which have been the subject of considerable controversy. | + | |
| - | *'''[[Overpopulation]].''' The [[United Nations]] [http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/02/24/un.population/ estimates] that [[world population]] will reach 9.2 billion by mid-century. Such growth raises questions of ecological [[sustainability]] and creates many [[economic]] and [[political]] disruptions. In response, many countries have adopted policies which either force or encourage their citizens to have fewer children, and others have limited [[immigration]]. Considerable debate exists over what the ultimate carrying capacity of the planet may be; whether or not population growth containment policies are necessary; to what degree growth can safely occur thanks to increased economic and [[ecological efficiency]]; and how distribution mechanisms should accommodate demographic shifts. Evidence suggests that developed countries (such as Japan) suffer population ''implosion,'' and the population debate is strongly tied with discussions about the distribution of wealth. | + | |
| - | *'''[[Authoritarianism]].''' Some currently democratic states, such as the [[United Kingdom]], are felt by some to be moving quickly in the direction of a [[police state]], [[mass surveillance|continuous surveillance]] and [[detention of suspects|long term detainment without trial]] all having been introduced by the government. A shift in education can be noticed towards more emphasis on discipline and control mechanisms by the state. A good indicator of authoritarianism being a serious concern for the 21st century are the recent anti-authoritarian protests staged around the world. Examples include the [[Carnival Against Capitalism|1999 Carnival Against Capitalism]], the protest activities surrounding the [[27th G8 summit|2001 Genova G8 Summit]] and the [[33rd G8 summit|2007 Heiligendamm G8 Summit]], as well as the [[2008 civil unrest in Greece]], all with strong [[anarchism|anarchistic]] and thus anti-authoritarian character. | + | |
| - | *''' [[Abortion]].''' Debates between "[[Pro-choice]]" and "[[Pro-life]]" factions on the controversial procedure continue. The approximate number of induced abortions performed worldwide in 2003 was 42 million. | + | |
| - | *'''[[Dysgenics]].''' Due to the negative correlation between [[fertility and intelligence]], human genetic integrity may be deteriorating, lowering the intellectual capacity of the average human. | + | |
| - | *'''[[Poverty]].''' Poverty remains the root cause of many of the world's other ills, including [[famine]], [[disease]], and insufficient [[education]]. Poverty contains many self-reinforcing elements (for instance, poverty can make education an unaffordable luxury, which tends to result in continuing poverty) that various aid groups hope to rectify in this century. [[Microcredit]] lending has also started to gain a profile as a useful anti-poverty tool. | + | Healthy ecosystems and environments provide vital goods and services to humans and other organisms. There are two major ways of managing human impact on [[ecosystem services]]. One approach is [[environmental management]]; this approach is based largely on information gained from [[earth science]], [[environmental science]], and [[conservation biology]]. Another approach is management of [[consumption (economics)|consumption]] of resources, which is based largely on information gained from [[economics]]. |
| - | *'''[[Disease]].''' [[AIDS]], [[tuberculosis]] and [[malaria]] each kill over a million people annually. [[HIV]] remains without a cure or vaccine, and is growing rapidly in India and much of the African continent. [[Antibiotic resistance]] is a growing concern for organisms such as [[tuberculosis]]. Other diseases, such as [[SARS]], [[ebola]], and [[flu]] variations, are also causes for concern. The [[World Health Organization]] has [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3524824.stm warned] of a possible coming flu [[pandemic]] resulting from [[Avian influenza|bird flu]] [[mutation]]s. In 2009, the outbreak of [[2009 flu pandemic|swine flu]] in [[Mexico]] and later around the world caused widespread panic and concern, and is currently still a problem. | + | |
| - | *'''[[War]] and [[terrorism]].''' [[Ongoing wars|Active conflicts]] continue around the world, including civil wars in the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] (the largest war since [[World War II]]), [[Chechnya]], [[Côte d'Ivoire]], [[Somalia]], [[Senegal]], [[Colombia]], and [[Sudan]] (mainly in [[Darfur]]). The [[September 11, 2001 attacks|9/11 terrorist attacks]] triggered invasions of [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|Afghanistan]] and partially and controversially [[2003 invasion of Iraq|Iraq]]. The [[War on Terrorism]] has seen controversies over [[civil liberties]], accusations of [[torture]], continued terrorist attacks and ongoing instability, violence, and military occupation. Violence continues in the [[Arab–Israeli conflict]]. Considerable concern remains about [[nuclear proliferation]], especially in [[Iran]] and [[North Korea]], and the availability of [[weapons of mass destruction]] to rogue groups. | + | |
| - | * '''[[Global warming]].''' Climate scientists have postulated that the earth is currently undergoing significant [[anthropogenic]] (human-induced) [[global warming]]. [http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/306/5702/1686] The resulting economic and ecological costs are hard to predict. Some scientists argue that human-induced global warming risks considerable losses in biodiversity and ecosystem services unless considerable sociopolitical changes are introduced, particularly in patterns of mass consumption and transportation. Others, however, doubt or deny human influence and counter-action were in effect significant, or question whether global warming will actually be a significant detriment to the planet. | + | |
| - | * '''[[Power in international relations]].''' Issues surrounding the cultural, economic, and military dominance of the United States and its role in the world community have become even more pointed given its recent military activities, problematic relations with the [[United Nations]], disagreement over several international treaties, and its economic policies with regard to globalization. Integration of the [[European Union]] and the [[African Union]] have proceeded. | + | |
| - | * '''[[Intellectual property]].''' The increasing popularity of digital formats for entertainment media such as movies and music, and the ease of copying and distributing it via the [[Internet]] and [[peer-to-peer]] networks, has raised concerns in the media industry about [[copyright infringement]]. Much debate is proceeding about the proper bounds between protection of [[copyright]], [[trademark]] and [[patent]] rights versus [[fair use]] and the [[public domain]], where some argue that such laws have shifted greatly towards intellectual property owners and away from the interests of the general public in recent years, while others say that such legal change is needed to deal with a perceived threat of new technologies against the rights of authors and artists (or, as others put it, against the outmoded business models of the current entertainment industry). [[Domain name]] "cybersquatting" and access to patented drugs and generics to combat epidemics in third-world countries are other IP concerns. | + | |
| - | * '''[[Technology]]''' developments show no sign of ending. [[Cybernetics|Communications and control]] technology continues to augment the intelligence of individual humans, collections of humans, and machines. Cultures are forced into the position of sharply defining humanity and determining boundaries on desire, thought, communication, behavior, and manufacturing. Some, notably [[Ray Kurzweil]], have predicted that by the middle of the century there will be a [[Technological Singularity]] if [[artificial intelligence]] that outsmart humans is created. If these AIs then create even smarter AI's technological change could accelerate in ways that are impossible for us to foresee. (However, gradual and simultaneous use of AI technology to increase our own intelligence might prevent this from ever occurring.) | + | |
| - | * '''[[Fossil fuel]]s''' are becoming scarce and more expensive, due to the escalating [[demand (economics)|demand]] for [[petroleum]] ("oil") and oil-based products such as [[gasoline]] and [[kerosene]], unmatched by production. Discovery of new [[oil field]]s has not been sufficient to sustain current levels of production, and some fear that the earth may be running out of economically viable oil, pressing for alternatives. As [[Biofuel|Agrofuel]], one possible alternative, yields further hazards for the environment and endangers food security, debate is far from over. | + | |
| - | * '''[[NATO–Russia relations]]''' seem to remain strained as the "Western Alliance" and NATO square off with Russia and other nations over international policy and the future of the ex-Soviet sphere. An Eastern Europe Missile Defense Shield, military and social conflicts in former Yugoslavia and the Caucasus (particularly Georgia and Chechnya), fossil fuel infrastructures like the [[Nabucco pipeline]] and the future of nuclear arsenals are among the topics that have strained the relations between the two sides with eerie reminders reminiscent of the Cold War. | + | |
| - | The [[United Nations]] lists global issues on its [http://www.un.org/issues/ agenda] and lists a set of [http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/ Millennium Development Goals] ([[Millennium Development Goals|MDG]]s) to attempt to address some of these issues. | + | Human sustainability interfaces with economics through the social and ecological consequences of economic activity. Moving towards sustainability is also a social challenge that entails, among other factors, [[international law|international]] and national [[law]], [[urban planning]] and [[transport]], local and individual [[lifestyle (sociology)|lifestyle]]s and [[ethical consumerism]]. Ways of living more sustainably can take many forms from reorganising living conditions (e.g., [[ecovillages]], [[eco-municipalities]] and [[sustainable cities]]), to reappraising work practices (e.g., using [[permaculture]], [[green building]], [[sustainable agriculture]]), or developing new [[environmental technology|technologies]] that reduce the consumption of [[resources]]. |
| + | ==See also== | ||
| + | * [[Appropriate technology]] | ||
| + | * [[Chemical Leasing]] | ||
| + | * [[Conservation biology]] | ||
| + | * [[Cradle-to-cradle design]] | ||
| + | * [[Environmental issue]] | ||
| + | * [[Extinction]] | ||
| + | * [[Introduced species]] | ||
| + | * [[List of sustainability topics]] | ||
| + | * [[Micro-sustainability]] | ||
| + | * [[Outline of sustainability]] | ||
| + | * [[Permaculture]] | ||
| + | * [[Sociocultural evolution]] | ||
| + | * [[Stewardship]] | ||
| + | * [[Sustainability and systemic change resistance]] | ||
| + | * [[Sustainable development]] | ||
| + | * [[Sustainability standards and certification]] | ||
| + | * [[The Venus Project]] | ||
| + | * [[The Zeitgeist Movement]] | ||
| + | * [[World Cities Summit]] | ||
| - | ==List of years== | ||
| - | :[[2080]] - [[2079]] - [[2078]] - [[2077]] - [[2076]] - [[2075]] - [[2074]] - [[2073]] - [[2072]] - [[2071]] | ||
| - | :[[2070]] - [[2069]] - [[2068]] - [[2067]] - [[2066]] - [[2065]] - [[2064]] - [[2063]] - [[2062]] - [[2061]] | ||
| - | :[[2060]] - [[2059]] - [[2058]] - [[2057]] - [[2056]] - [[2055]] - [[2054]] - [[2053]] - [[2052]] - [[2051]] | ||
| - | :[[2050]] - [[2049]] - [[2048]] - [[2047]] - [[2046]] - [[2045]] - [[2044]] - [[2043]] - [[2042]] - [[2041]] | ||
| - | :[[2040]] - [[2039]] - [[2038]] - [[2037]] - [[2036]] - [[2035]] - [[2034]] - [[2033]] - [[2032]] - [[2031]] | ||
| - | :[[2030]] - [[2029]] - [[2028]] - [[2027]] - [[2026]] - [[2025]] - [[2024]] - [[2023]] - [[2022]] - [[2021]] | ||
| - | :[[2020]] - [[2019]] - [[2018]] - [[2017]] - [[2016]] - [[2015]] - [[2014]] - [[2013]] - [[2012]] - [[2011]] | ||
| - | :[[2010]] - [[2009]] - [[2008]] - [[2007]] - [[2006]] - [[2005]] - [[2004]] - [[2003]] - [[2002]] - [[2001]] | ||
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Revision as of 19:45, 5 December 2011
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Sustainability is the capacity to endure. For humans, sustainability is the long-term maintenance of well being, which has environmental, economic, and social dimensions, and encompasses the concept of union, an interdependent relationship and mutual responsible position with all living and non living things on earth. This philosophical interpretation moves well beyond definitions driven by progress oriented economic perspectives that see humans as providing stewardship, the responsible management of resource use. In ecology, sustainability describes how biological systems remain diverse and productive over time, a necessary precondition for human well-being. Long-lived and healthy wetlands and forests are examples of sustainable biological systems.
Healthy ecosystems and environments provide vital goods and services to humans and other organisms. There are two major ways of managing human impact on ecosystem services. One approach is environmental management; this approach is based largely on information gained from earth science, environmental science, and conservation biology. Another approach is management of consumption of resources, which is based largely on information gained from economics.
Human sustainability interfaces with economics through the social and ecological consequences of economic activity. Moving towards sustainability is also a social challenge that entails, among other factors, international and national law, urban planning and transport, local and individual lifestyles and ethical consumerism. Ways of living more sustainably can take many forms from reorganising living conditions (e.g., ecovillages, eco-municipalities and sustainable cities), to reappraising work practices (e.g., using permaculture, green building, sustainable agriculture), or developing new technologies that reduce the consumption of resources.
See also
- Appropriate technology
- Chemical Leasing
- Conservation biology
- Cradle-to-cradle design
- Environmental issue
- Extinction
- Introduced species
- List of sustainability topics
- Micro-sustainability
- Outline of sustainability
- Permaculture
- Sociocultural evolution
- Stewardship
- Sustainability and systemic change resistance
- Sustainable development
- Sustainability standards and certification
- The Venus Project
- The Zeitgeist Movement
- World Cities Summit
Unless indicated otherwise, the text in this article is either based on Wikipedia article "Sustainability" or another language Wikipedia page thereof used under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License; or on research by Jahsonic and friends. See Art and Popular Culture's copyright notice.
