The PelicanWeb's Journal of Sustainable Development

Research Digest on Integral Human Development,
Education for Sustainable Development,
and Related Global Issues

Luis T. Gutierrez, Editor

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Research Agenda The current research agenda is to examine all the significant dimensions of sustainable development in order to integrate the resulting multi-dimensional knowledge and make it available in a form suitable for use sustainable development groups. Click here for a list of the dimensions already examined and under consideration. The issues on the "sustainable development paradox" will be incremental attempts at knowledge integration. The following modes of research are being used: Review and analysis of sustainable development concepts and trends. Review and analysis of MDG projects and trends. Review and analysis of human behavior in response to grow-sustain trade offs. Use of system dynamics (causal-loop diagrams) to analyze trend determinants. Use of Girardian analysis (mimetic theory) to analyze scapegoating behavior. Use of inter-dependency matrices (NxN) to understand precedence relations. Sacred scriptures from various traditions are used as a point of reference. |Back to Top| Knowledge Taxonomy and Links Database The knowledge organization model that has been chosen for The Pelican Web and the Solidarity, Sustainability, and Non-Violence e-journal is a variation of the Knowledge Map of Chaim Zins. This is work in progress, and will continue to evolve in response to research needs. The current taxonomies and links organization are shown in the next table. The columns are defined as follows: Mega-discipline, Discipline, Specialty, Sub-specialty (or region, or acronym), Millennium Development Goal (MDG) or Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Theme , and Link name/content. The symbol "~" in a cell of a column indicates relevance to "all" categories in that column. The 5-dimensional taxonomy is shaping up as follows: Mega-Disciplines Divine Wisdom Empirical Knowledge Expert Knowledge General Knowledge Human Habitat Human Sciences Integrated Info Science & Tech Teamwork Info Tools Info Disciplines Mathematics Physics Chemistry Biology Biosphere Anthropology Economics Sociology Politics Theology Etc. Specialties Calculus Statics Organic Biochemistry Grasslands Gender Growth Demographics Democracy Christian Etc. Sub-Specialties Statistics Tension Reactions Biofuels Short-Grass Violence Finance Culture Elections Protestant Etc. UN MDGs/ESDs MDGs Goal 1 MDGs Goal 2 MDGs Goal 3 MDGs Goal 4 MDGs Goal 5 MDGs Goal 6 MDGs Goal 7 MDGs Goal 8 ESD Theme 1 ESD Theme 2 ESD Theme 3 ESD Theme 4 ESD Theme 5 ESD Theme 6 ESD Theme 7 ESD Theme 8 To view a list of selected links, click HERE. To view the entire links database, click HERE. |Back to Top| News Sources Telecommunication technologies make it feasible for news to reach us practically in real time and from every corner of the global village. There are general news services, customizable news services, news-based alert services, and also specialized news services that filter out all news that are unrelated to a given subject matter. At certain times, it is wise to view news coming from several services in order to ensure a complete and unbiased picture of an emerging situation. To view the entire menu of links to news sources, click here. |Back to Top| Search Tools "In the beginning, the cosmos was a shapeless, chaotic mass, with Google brooding over the dark vapors ....". Indeed, Google (or, preferably, Advanced Google) is a good place to start when searching for information and knowledge content online. But it may not be a good place to finish if the desired information requires a complex query or is buried somewhere in the "invisible web." A huge number of specialized directories and search engines are now available to help the researcher converge on the right file. To view the entire menu of links to search tools, click here. |Back to Top| Archive Links and Outlines for Posted SSNV Issues Volume Number Date Issue Theme & Topic Outline Vol 1 No 1 May 2005 Cross-Gender Solidarity Religious Patriarchy and Religious Misogyny Ubiquity in Social and Religious Institutions Patriarchy, Solidarity, and Sustainability Recent and Current Research Synthesis and Appeal to Religious Authorities References and Notes Vol 1 No 2 Jun 2005 The Phallocentric Syndrome Secular and Religious Patriarchy Truth, Freedom, and Care Obstacles to Solidarity Obstacles to Sustainability Obstacles to Human Development An Appeal to Secular Authorities References and Notes Vol 1 No 3 Jul 2005 From Patriarchy to Solidarity Cross-Gender Solidarity The Phallocentric Syndrome Transition from Patriarchy to Solidarity Solidarity and Subsidiarity Healing of the Phallocentric Syndrome An Appeal to All Religious People References and Notes Vol 1 No 4 Aug 2005 Synthesis of Patriarchy and Solidarity The Patriarchy-Solidarity Process Cross-Gender Solidarity The Phallocentric Syndrome From Patriarchy to Solidarity There is no Roadmap for the Transition An Appeal to All People of Good Will References and Notes Vol 1 No 5 Sep 2005 From Solidarity to Sustainability The Solidarity-Sustainability Process Some Further Reflections on Solidarity The Concept of "Sustainability" Sustainability Requires Solidarity Is Sustainability a Matter of Survival? The Micah Challenge References and Notes Vol 1 No 6 Oct 2005 Dimensions of Sustainability The Journey Toward Sustainability Solidarity-Sustainability Symbiosis Sustainability of the Human Habitat Sustainability of Human Institutions Sustainability of Human Civilization Summary and Prayer for the MDGs References and Notes Invited Article by Adam Werbach Vol 1 No 7 Nov 2005 Analysis and Synthesis of Objective Evidence Dynamics of Solidarity & Sustainability Population and Consumption Growth Net Effects on Human Wellbeing Net Effects on Earth Wellbeing Root Cause Analysis: Gender Inequity Synthesis: Data, Experience, Wisdom Prayer, Study, and Action References and Notes Vol 1 No 8 Dec 2005 Solidarity, Subsidiarity, and Sustainability Inner Feedback Loops in the Process Model The Subsidiarity Principle The Precautionary Principle Subsidiarity in Secular Institutions Subsidiarity in Religious Institutions Criticality of Gender Equity A Path Toward Solidarity and Sustainability References and Notes Links to Archived Issues Invited Article by Brian Czech Vol 2 No 1 Jan 2006 Synthesis of Solidarity and Sustainability Complex Webs of Feedback Loops Synthesis of Solidarity Synthesis of Sustainability Unity of Solidarity & Sustainability Patriarchal Resistance in the East Patriarchal Resistance in the West Suggestions for Meditation References and Notes Links to Archived Issues Vol 2 No 2 Feb 2006 Sustainable Human Development Human Development in Social Webs Preliminary Causal Loop Diagram Sustainable Human Development From Sustainability to Sustainable Development Patriarchal Resistance in the South Patriarchal Resistance in the North Recommended for Meditation References and Notes Links to Archived Issues Vol 2 No 3 Mar 2006 Patriarchy and Mimetic Violence The Root Cause of Patriarchy Mimetic Violence and Wealth Accumulation Mimetic Violence and Absolute Power Mimetic Violence and Worldly Honors How to Overcome the Patriarchal Mindset From Patriarchy to Partnerships Recommended for Meditation References and Notes Links to Archived Issues Vol 2 No 4 Apr 2006 Mimetic Violence in Patriarchal Religions Synopsis of Girard's Mimetic Theory The Emergence of Mimetic Violence Impact on Religious Institutions Impact on Social Institutions Impact on the Human Habitat Outlook for the Perpetuation of Patriarchy Prayer, Study, and Action References and Notes Links to Archived Issues Vol 2 No 5 May 2006 Mimetic Violence in Patriarchal Religions 2 Brief Synopsis of Mimetic Theory An Example of Religious Violence Social and Ecological Impacts Renunciation of Violence Institutionalized Violence Renunciation of Patriarchy Prayer, Study, and Action References and Notes Links to Archived Issues Vol 2 No 6 Jun 2006 Mimetic Violence in Patriarchal Religions 3 Mimetic Desire in Worship Hierarchical Mimetic Rivalry Ecclesiastical Skandalon Renunciation of Violence Violence to the Body of Christ Summary of Vatican Example Prayer, Study, and Action References and Notes Links to Archived Issues Invited Article by Robert Volpicelli Vol 2 No 7 Jul 2006 Mimetic Violence in Patriarchal Religions 4 The Girardian Breakthrough Patriarchy & Patriarchal Religions The Patriarchal Contagion Human and Divine Scapegoats The Triumph of the Cross Patriarchy & Human Development Prayer, Study, and Action References and Notes Links to Archived Issues Invited Article by Evandro V. Ouriques Vol 2 No 8 Aug 2006 Mimetic Violence in Patriarchal Religions 5 Ubiquity of Sacred Violence The Abrahamic Religions Survey of Other Religions Ubiquity of Gender Violence The Hope of Non-Violence Mimetic Theory & System Dynamics Prayer, Study, and Action References and Notes Links to Archived Issues Invited Article by Michael Hardin Vol 2 No 9 Sep 2006 Sabbatical Activity ~ September 2006 Sabbatical Progress Report Significant Recent News Notable Recent Articles Book of the Month Website of the Month Other New Resources SSNV Website Upgrade Prayer, Study, and Action Links to Archived Issues Invited Article by Pim Martens Vol 2 No 10 Oct 2006 Sabbatical Activity ~ October 2006 Revision of Mission Statement Recent News & Commentary Article of the Month Book of the Month Website of the Month Other New Resources SSNV Website Upgrade Prayer, Study, and Action Links to Archived Issues Invited Article by Thomas Michael Vol 2 No 11 Nov 2006 Sabbatical Activity ~ November 2006 Mission Statement Current Issues Event of the Month Book of the Month Website of the Month New Website SSNV Website Upgrade Prayer, Study, and Action Links to Archived Issues Invited Article by Mary T. Condren Vol 2 No 12 Dec 2006 Sabbatical Activity ~ December 2006 Mission Statement Current Trends Debacle in Iraq Book of the Month New Website New Resources SSNV Website Upgrade Prayer, Study, and Action Vol 3 No 1 Jan 2007 Revisiting the U.N. MDGs -- MGD1: Eradication of poverty and hunger News and Emerging Issues Millennium Development Goals Analysis: Poverty Maps and Trends Reading Suggestions for 2007 Website of the Month New Online Resources Knowledge Organization Model Prayer, Study, and Action Links to Archived Issues Vol 3 No 2 Feb 2007 Revisiting the U.N. MDGs -- MGD2: Universal primary education News and Emerging Issues Millennium Development Goals Analysis: Education Maps and Trends State of the World's Children 2007 Website of the Month New Online Resources Knowledge Organization Model Prayer, Study, and Action Links to Archived Issues Invited Article by John Wijngaards Vol 3 No 3 Mar 2007 Revisiting the U.N. MDGs -- MGD3: Promotion of gender equality Recent News and Events Millennium Development Goals Analysis of Gender Equality GEO Year Book 2007 Website of the Month New Online Resources Directory of Knowledge Resources Prayer, Study, and Action Links to Archived Issues Invited Article by James Alison Vol 3 No 4 Apr 2007 Revisiting the U.N. MDGs -- MGD4: Reduction of child mortality Significant Recent Events Millennium Development Goals Analysis of Child Mortality Rates Combined Analysis of MDGs 1 to 4 Review of the UNICEF Website New Resources on the Web Knowledge Organization & Access Prayer, Study, and Action Reflection on Vocational Gendercide Fun for Kids Links to Archived Issues Invited Article by Nicholas Maxwell Vol 3 No 5 May 2007 Revisiting the U.N. MDGs -- MGD5: Maternal Health Improvement Digest of Recent News Millennium Development Goals Analysis of Maternal Health Care Combined Analysis of MDGs 1 to 8 Review of the Global Good Website New Resources on the Web Knowledge Organization Update Easter Prayer, Study, and Action Reflection on the Gift of Live & the Gift of Love Poems on the Meaning of Life & Love Links to Archived Issues Invited Article by Patrick Bond Vol 3 No 6 June 2007 Revisiting the U.N. MDGs -- MGD6: Mitigation of the HIV Epidemic News and Signs of the Times The Millennium Development Goals Analysis of the HIV/AIDS Epidemic Combined Analysis of MDGs 1 to 8 Review of the Mimetic Theory Website New Resources on the Web Knowledge Taxonomy and Links Prayer, Study, and Action Bad Theology and the Mistreatment of Women Memorable People of the 20th Century Links to Archived Issues Invited Article by Patrick Bond Vol 3 No 7 July 2007 Revisiting the U.N. MDGs -- MGD7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability Recent News & Emerging Issues The Millennium Development Goals Analysis of Environmental Sustainability The Sustainable Development Process Combined Analysis of MDGs 1 to 8 Review of the US Social Forum Website Web Resources & Knowlege Taxonomy Knowledge Taxonomy and Links Prayer, Study, and Action Links to Archived Issues Invited Article by Therese Carroll Vol 3 No 8 August 2007 Revisiting the U.N. MDGs -- MGD8: Global Partnership for Development Recent News & Emerging Issues The U.N. Millennium Development Goals What is a Partnership for Development? How to Build a Partnership for Development Combined Analysis of MDGs 1 to 8 Selected "Global Partnership" Websites Web Resources & Knowlege Taxonomy Prayer, Study, and Action Links to Archived Issues Invited Article by Philip Sadler Vol 3 No 9 September 2007 Integrated Analysis of the U.N. MDGs Selected News & Emerging Issues The U.N. Millennium Development Goals Matrix Analysis of MDG Interdependencies MDG Loop Diagrams & Feedback Dynamics Mimetic Analysis of the MDG Process Review of the "Millennium Project" Website Web Resources & Knowlege Taxonomy Prayer, Study, and Action Links to Archived Issues Invited Article by Nicholas Maxwel and Ronald Barnett Vol 3 No 10 October 2007 Feasibility of the 2015 MDG Targets Global News & Emerging Isues The U.N. MDG 2015 Targets Current Outlook for 2015 Globalization, Egalization, and Cycles of Humiliation Obstacles to Pursue the MDGs Incentives to Pursue the MDGs Web Resources & Knowledge Taxonomy Prayer, Study, and Action Links to Archived Issues Invited Article by Ralf Brand and Andrew Karvonen Vol 3 No 11 November 2007 If Not the MDGs, Then What? Global News & Emerging Isues Negative Assessments of the MDGs Positive Assessments of the MDGs Balanced Assessments of the MDGs If Not the MDGs, Then What? Current Research on the MDGs Web Resources & Links Database Prayer, Study, and Action Links to Archived Issues Invited Article by Leslaw Michnowski Vol 3 No 12 December 2007 Review of 2007 State of the Future The UN Millennium Development Goals The WFUNA Millennium Project State of the Future & Global Challenges State of the Future Index Education and Learning 2030 Environmental Security Issues The Future Started Yesterday Prayer, Study, and Action Links to Archived Issues Invited Article by Robley E. George Vol 4 No 1 January 2008 Religious Dimension of Sustainable Development Millennium Development Goals + 1 Need for a Cultural Transition Adding the Religious Dimension Incentives for Overcoming Patriarchy Incentives for Solidarity & Sustainability Incentives for Human Development Information, Knowledge, Wisdom Prayer, Study, and Action Links to Archived Issues Statement by the USA Assembly of the Baha'is Vol 4 No 2 February 2008 Spiritual Dimension of Sustainable Development The MDGs and Religious Freedom Religion as a Human Initiative Spirituality as a Divine Initiative A Critical Analysis of Patriarchy Alternatives to Patriarchal Governance Spirituality of Sustainable Development Information, Knowledge, Wisdom Prayer, Study, and Action Links to Archived Issues Invited Article by Aaron Milavec Vol 4 No 3 March 2008 Human Dimension of Sustainable Development The MDGs and Human Development The Age of Homo sapiens The Age of Homo economicus The Age of Homo solidarius The Age of Homo eucharisticus SSNV and Human Development Information, Knowledge, and Wisdom Prayer, Study, and Action Links to Archived Issues Invited Article by Therese F. Hicks Vol 4 No 4 April 2008 Gender Dimension of Sustainable Development The UN MDGs & Gender Balance Gender Balance at Home Gender Balance at Work Gender Balance in Society Gender Balance in Religion Gender Balance & Human Development Knowledge Management for SSNV Prayer, Study, and Action Links to Archived Issues Invited Article by Sarah B. Strickland Vol 4 No 5 May 2008 Nuptial Dimension of Sustainable Development 1 Original Unity of Man & Woman Nuptial Covenant of Man & Woman Marriage: Vocation & Commitment Marriage: Mutual Self-Giving Marriage, Family, and the MDGs Marriage & Population Growth Marriage & Human Development Continuum of Human Sexuality Prayer, Study, and Action Links to Archived Issues Invited Article by Bert Olivier Vol 4 No 6 June 2008 Nuptial Dimension of Sustainable Development 2 The Gift of Love and the Gift of Life Nuptial Covenant and Chastity Nuptial Covenant and Children Nuptial Covenant and Parenthood Nuptial Covenant and Society Nuptial Covenant and Religion The Gift of Love and the MDGs The Gift of Life and the MDGs Prayer, Study, and Action Invited Article by Evelin G. Lindner Vol 4 No 7 July 2008 Nuptial Dimension of Sustainable Development 3 Sustainability of Humankind Sustainability of the Human Habitat The Web of Love and the Web of Life Geography of the Nuptial Crisis Heterosexuality and Homosexuality The Heterosexual Nuptial Covenant The Homosexual Nuptial Covenant Sustainable Human Development Prayer, Study, and Action Invited Article by Robley E. George Vol 4 No 8 August 2008 Nuptial Dimension of Sustainable Development 4 Humanity and the Human Habitat The Gift-Web of Love The Gift-Web of Life Nuptial Gifts and Solidarity Nuptial Gifts and Sustainability Nuptial Gifts and Nonviolence Nuptial Gifts and the MDGs Nuptial Gifts and LGBT Prayer, Study, and Action Invited Article by Robley E. George Vol 4 No 9 September 2008 Ethical Dimension of Sustainable Development Ethical Norms of Human Behavior Ethics of Economic Growth Environmental Ethics Ethics of Sustainable Development Weak and Strong Sustainability The Influence of Culture The Influence of Religion Outlook for the MDGs Prayer, Study, and Action Invited Article by Robert J. Egan Vol 4 No 10 October 2008 Cultural Dimension of Sustainable Development Culture & Cultural Diversity Cultures & Sustainable Development Cultural Issue: Violence Cultural Issue: Patriarchy Cultural Issue: Consumerism Cultural Issue: Globalization Cultural Issue: Religion Cultural Issue: Spirituality Prayer, Study, and Action The Declaration of Bangalore Vol 4 No 11 November 2008 Community Dimension of Sustainable Development 1 Community: Unity in Diversity Community & Ethical Behavior Community & Sustainable Development The Nuptial & Youth Communities The Local Communities The National/Regional Communities The Global Community Democracy & Sustainable Development Prayer, Study, and Action Invited Article by Patrick Bond Vol 4 No 12 December 2008 Community Dimension of Sustainable Development 2 The Global Geography of Poverty Consumption Growth & Population Growth Consumption Growth & Human Development Consumption Growth & the Human Habitat Consumption Growth & the UN MDGs Consumption Growth & Solidarity Consumption Growth & Sustainability Consumption Growth & Nonviolence Prayer, Study, and Action Invited Article by Ghassan Karam Vol 5 No 1 January 2009 The Sustainable Development Paradox - Part 1 Dimensions of Sustainable Development The Sustainable Development Paradox Dynamics of Human & Social Behavior Renewable & Nonrenewable Resources Money as the Driver of Human Behavior Need for Socioeconomic Human Development Need for Sociopolitical Human Development The UN MDGs and other Case Examples Prayer, Study, and Action Invited Article by Glenda P. Simms Vol 5 No 2 February 2009 The Sustainable Development Paradox - Part 2 Human Dimension of the Paradox Childhood Dimension of the Paradox Educational Dimension of the Paradox Social Dimension of the Paradox Economic Dimension of the Paradox Political Dimension of the Paradox Environmental Dimension of the Paradox Sustainable Development and the UN MDGs Prayer, Study, and Action Invited Article by Tanvir H. Bhatti Invited Article by Michael A. Peters Vol 5 No 3 March 2009 The Sustainable Development Paradox - Part 3 Human Nature: Psychosomatic-Spiritual Unity Human Nature: Psychosomatic-Spiritual Diversity Human Nature & Human Behavior/Misbehavior Behavioral Influence of Secular Institutions Behavioral Influence of Religious Institutions Human Use and Abuse of the Human Habitat Axing the Sustainable Development Paradox Homo economicus, Homo solidarius, and the MDGs Suggestions for Prayer, Study, and Action Invited Article by Ina Praetorius Invited Article by Leonardo Boff Vol 5 No 4 April 2009 Education for Sustainable Development - Part 1 Pedagogy for Sustainable Development Consultation on Gender Equality Consultation on Health Promotion Consultation on the Environment Consultation on Rural Development Consultation on Cultural Diversity Consultation on Peace & Security Consultation on Sustainable Urbanization Consultation on Sustainable Consumption Suggestions for Prayer, Study, and Action Preliminary Online Consultation Form Appeal to Endorse the Earth Charter Invited Article 1 by Soodursun Jugessur Invited Article 2 by Soodursun Jugessur Vol 5 No 5 May 2009 Education for Sustainable Development - Part 2 ESD Consultation Preliminary Test (V0) Analysis of Preliminary Test Results Paulo Freire's Educational Framework Ken Wilber's Integral Framework ESD COnsultation Revised Test (V1) Comparison of the V0 and V1 Surveys Stepwise Refinement in Monthly Iterations Suggestions for Prayer, Study, and Action Invited Article 1 by Joana Costa and Elydia Silva Invited Article 2 by Joseph Gelfer Vol 5 No 6 June 2009 Education for Sustainable Development - Part 3 Digest of the V0 Preliminary Test Digest of the V0 Analysis Report Digest of the V1 Revised Test Analysis of V1 Test Results Combined Assessment of the V0 and V1 Tests ESD V1.5 Test Based on V0 and V1 Feedback Evolution of the V0, V1, and V1.5 Forms Updated Plan for Stepwise Refinement Prayer, Study, and Action Invited Paper: "Revisiting the Limits to Growth", by Charles Hall & John Day Vol 5 No 7 July 2009 Education for Sustainable Development - Part 4 Summary of ESD Test Survey V0 Summary of ESD Test Survey V1 Analysis of ESD Test Survey V1.5 Assessment of V0, V1, and V1.5 Tests A Shorter ESD Test Survey V1.6 Evolution of Test Survey Design Documentation of Test Iterations Suggestions for Prayer, Study, and Action Invited Papers: Living by the Breath of God: A spirituality of God’s Desire, by Andrew Marr, OSB Determining the Role of Adult Education in Building the Culture of Sustainable Development, by Pauline McLean, PhD Vol 5 No 8 August 2009 Education for Sustainable Development - Part 5 Progress Report on the ESD Project Test Versions 0, 1, 1.5, and 1.6 Dangers of Ideological Denial Dangers of Ideological Enthusiasm The Precautionary Principle Description of Test Version V1.7 Evolution of Test Survey Design Documentation of Test Iterations Suggestions for Prayer, Study, and Action Invited Papers: Thinking Dependency, by Ina Praetorius What is Truly Unsustainable?, by Bruce Bridgeman Vol 5 No 9 September 2009 Education for Sustainable Development - Part 6 Progress Report on the ESD Project Meaning of "Sustainable Development" Integral Human Development (IHD) Sustainable Development Indicators Religious Traditions & Human Development Review of Survey-Based Evidence Review of Scholarly Research Some Examples from Real Life Prayer, Study, and Action Invited Papers: Study Poverty more than GNP, by Mahar Mangahas Losing my religion for equality, by Jimmy Carter The myths and realities of feminism, by Elka N. Jackson Vol 5 No 10 October 2009 Education for Sustainable Development - Part 7 Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Combined Analysis of ESD Surveys V0 to V1.7 Phases of Integral Human Development (IHD) The Nuptial-Family Context for IHD The Socioeconomic Context for IHD The Socioecological Context for IHD The Sociopolitical Context for IHD The Religious-Spiritual Context for IHD Suggestions for Prayer, Study, and Action Invited Papers: Ecohumanism as a Developmental Crossing, by Leslaw Michnowski No Fishhooks, by Bruce Bridgeman Education Based Only on Reason is Incomplete, by Rowan Williams Psychosynthesis & Integral Human Development, by Ewa Bialek Vol 5 No 11 November 2009 Education for Sustainable Development - Part 8 Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Integral Human Development (IHD) ESD/IHD and the Gender Continuum ESD/IHD and the End of Patriarchy ESD/IHD and the Culture of Solidarity ESD/IHD and the Culture of Sustainability ESD/IHD and the Role of Technology Progress Report on the 2009 Surveys The Tripod of Prayer, Study, and Action Invited Papers: Pious Words, Puny Deeds, by Rajan Menon The Art of Creating Postpatriarchal Meaning, by Ina Praetorious The Fulcrum of Discovery, by James Alison Income & Wealth in Socioeconomic Democracy, by Robley George Vol 5 No 12 December 2009 Education for Sustainable Development - Part 9 Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Integral Human Development (IHD) ESD/IHD and Gender Balance ESD/IHD and the Rich/Poor Gap ESD/IHD and the MDGs ESD/IHD and Political Will ESD/IHD and Democratic Governance ESD/IHD and Technological Innovation Suggestions for Prayer, Study, and Action Invited Papers: New Perspectives on Faith and Development, by Rowan Williams Creating Gender Equality in the 21st Century, by Susan Smalley Children Targeted as Witches in the Congo, by Danielle Shapiro Symbolic Poverty, by Mats Winther Vol 6 No 1 January 2010 Basic References & Data Sources on Sustainable Development Sections: Population and Human Development Cultural, Social, and Security Issues Financial, Economic, and Political Issues Ecological Resources and Ecosystem Services Renewable and Nonrenewable Energy Pollution, Climate Change, and Environmental Management Land, Agriculture, Food Supply, and Water Supply Current Outlook for the Planet and Human Civilization Transition from Consumerism to Sustainability Invited Papers: Institutional Trappings, by Alan Fox (Page 2) Durable Economics, by Barry Brooks (Page 3) Bridging the Gulf: Education as Implementation, by Catherine King (Page 4) It Is Time for the Churches to Declare Jubilee, by Britt Johnston (Page 5) Vol 6 No 2 February 2010 "State of the World 2010" Book Review "State of the World 2010: Transforming Cultures from Consumerism to Sustainability," Worldwatch Institute, January 2010 Review Sections: Overview and Outline of the Book Text, Boxes, Figures, Endnotes, Index General Evaluation of the Worldwatch SOW 2010 Limited Linkage to Ecosystem Services Limited Coverage of Religious and Gender Issues Conclusion and Recommendations Supplements: Going Forward on Sustainable Development Directory of Sustainable Development Resources Invited Papers: Truth and Consequences on the Last Frontier, by Richard Steiner (Page 2) Woman as "Other" in Monotheistic Religions, by Zilka Spahic-Šiljak (Page 3) A Path to Sustainable Energy by 2030, by Mark Jacobson & Mark Delucchi (Page 4) |Back to Top| Letters to the Editor Letters can express constructive criticism about the contents of the journal. This includes suggesting totally different views, or paradigms, about the best way to formulate sustainable development plans and strategies. However, letters that are disrespectful to persons or institutions, and letters that use crude or offensive language, will not be published. Letters can be abbreviated and/or edited for clarity . Letters must be dated and signed by the author. Please email your letters to the editor. The following are some of the letters received recently: January 16, 2010 Dear Luis, The splendid work you do continues, I see. Thank you for it. Your journal is at the top of my reading list. I am particularly pleased that the directory in this issue features the human population as numero uno. Perhaps we and our colleagues can agree that at least one of the global challenges presented to humanity in these early years of Century XXI is the gigantic scale and skyrocketing growth of absolute global human population numbers. Luis, thanks, too, for being here just as you are and for all you are doing to protect life as we know it on Earth from huge human-driven threats. You have probably been correct about the formidable challenges that are likely the result of human activity borne of foolishness, arrogance and greed. To be a species with such remarkable self-consciousness, intelligence and other splendid gifts and to do no better than we are doing now is a source of deep sadness and occasional outbreaks of passionate intensity (likely signifying nothing). Still I believe in remaining engaged with you and others in this necessary struggle for the future of life as we know it, a sacred struggle in which so many human beings with feet of clay have been involved for a lifetime. The first fifty years of my life were lived as if in a dream world, the profane one devised by the self-proclaimed Masters of the Universe among us. I had no awareness a single generation would elect sponsors of powerful, greed-mongering economic powerbrokers who would formulate policies and implement business plans that irreversibly degrade Earth's environs, recklessly dissipate its limited resources, relentlessly diminish its biodiversity, destabilize its climate and threaten the very future of children everywhere. My failures include not realizing that I and my selfish generation were ravaging the Earth and effectively behaving in a way that could lead to the destruction of our planetary home as a fit place for habitation by the children (let alone coming generations). Even though it is discomforting and difficult to responsibly perform our duties to science and humanity, at least we can speak out loudly, clearly and often about these unfortunate circumstances and in the process educate one another as best we can. Like you, I do not have answers to forbidding questions related to the patently unsustainable 'trajectory' of human civilization in its present, colossally expansive form. Much more problematic, however, is the ruinous determination of many too many experts who have colluded to consciously obstruct open discussion of the best available scientific evidence of "what could somehow be real". If what could be real about the human condition and the Earth we inhabit is not confronted with intellectual honesty and moral courage, how is it possible for the family of humanity to adapt to the practical requirements of "reality" in a reasonable, sensible, sustainable and timely way? An ecological wreckage of some unimaginable sort is likely to be the end result of experts choosing to remain willfully blind, hysterically deaf and electively mute rather than skillfully examining and objectively reporting on extant science of human population dynamics and the human overpopulation of Earth. This refusal to respond ably by acknowledging evidence and accepting responsibility for the distinctly human-driven global challenges that have emerged robustly and converged rapidly just now could be one of the greatest mistakes in human history. After all, what mistake in history could be greater than the ones made in our time that lead humanity inadvertently to precipitate the demise of life as we know it and to put at risk a good enough future for the children? We have entered not only a new year but a new decade as well. Hopefully, the denial and dishonesty that marked the last decade have ended. Sincerely, Steve Steven Salmony December 13, 2009 Hello Luis, As an afterthought, and after reading some of your responses to your questions on the site, you might want to have a look at Bernard Lonergan's Insight: A Study of Human Understanding, for a general theoretical framework for development. Lonergan develops the theme of emergent probability and isolates the four methods: classical, statistical, genetic and dialectical, the last two being central to the human sciences and philosophy. His work on genetic method gives the general framework and tenets of development as a concrete event in history--which seems to be called for in those responses. Again, thank you for putting together such a wonderful site and great resource. Catherine B. King December 4, 2009 Luis, Yes, we need to develop a sustainable economy, but development itself is not our goal. If our goal is development itself, a kind of development that can go on forever, then it will not be economic development. We need to develop into a mature economy that may grow wiser but not taller. Rapid development of a sustainable economy may use full employment for a while, but a sustainable economy will not depend on full employment. How can we expect a service economy to provide income for workers in an automated economy? The owners of resources, owners of the automated factories, and a few workers would divide all the income from the production of physical goods. That small group of people would have to spend almost all that money on services in order to get enough money back to into the service economy. Beyond the servants of the few with income from physical production, others in the service economy would be like fleas on fleas on fleas ... Unemployed neighbors trading laundry service for house cleaning will not give either one of them any claim on the physical output of the economy. http://home.earthlink.net/~durable/ Barry Brooks October 4, 2009 Dear Luis I just want to tell you that your journal is amazing and a truly good and useful source of information! I am Dr Irena Ateljevic and I teach on education for sustainable development with a particualr focus on sustainable tourism in developing countries (at Wageningen University, Netherlands.) My specific area is empowerment and human development potential and I am very inspired with your work (using it as a teaching resource). We are also working on developing a degree on sustainability so any your suggestions are welcome. Thank you very much for establishing this journal. I am currently working on the issues of transmodernity as the next paradigm shift as a term that encapsulates many parallel wor(l)ds and terms which speak about the similar shift of moving us into the next era of our human/social evolution. Let me know if you would like to publish something on that topic. Kind regards Irena Socio-spatial Analysis Group Wageningen University, Netherlands http://www.sal.wur.nl September 9, 2009 Hi Luis, I am very excited about your initiative I just found it and your Web site. In a few days I will send you a few of my articles written in English about my Vision of sustainable development. Today I add a review of my book published at the beginning of this year titled "Balanced Child Development in the light of new challenges" With my best regards, Ewa Bialek Psychosynthesis Institute Warsaw, Poland http://www.psychosynteza.pl August 20, 2009 Editor: I'm not sure if you were inviting a discussion here or for people to simply join an existing one elsewhere. I probably won't do that latter, so I'll respond here. But first some disclaimers. I'm male and not at all religious (at least in any generally recognized sense). I didn't know what "sustainable human development" meant until I looked it up. I knew what human development is, but sustainable generally means what people want it to mean (even coal is sustainable): http://www.coalcandothat.com/assets/resources/un_csd_case_studies.pdf. No kidding - at least, I don't think they're kidding. So I looked here: http://www.pitt.edu/~super1/lecture/lec1131/index.htm .... for a quick and dirty and superficial "course" in SHD (and since it comes from the Internets, we know it's both true AND authoritative). So what I am offering is an outsider's uninformed opinion (aren't you glad you asked). In short, I don't see how excluding women from arguably THE most important position in a community can AVOID being an "obstacle to [SHD]", in particular what the Pitt lecture (link above) refers to as "strategic interests" and the "complete physical, mental and social well being" of members of a community. Excluding women from religious authority makes them de facto second class citizens. The other side, of course, is that the process of changing this (if it's even possible) will itself harm the short term mental well being of some members of society, men and women alike. While I don't personally know any women who are opposed to the idea of women in the clergy (and I don't have much respect for those public figures I've heard express that view), I DID run across very nice ladies in Iowa who took umbrage if you DIDN'T refer to them as (for example) "Mrs. David Norwood". In short, I DO believe that this is a significant problem for society, but I DON'T have a personal stake in it. I'm working more to increase opportunities for women in physics and chemistry. David Norwood, Southeastern Louisiana University selu.edu August 16, 2009 Hi Luis, Thank you for your response. It was not my intention to impose my preferred definitions on your survey, but I was a bit concerned that leaving definitions to the individual respondent might compromise the validity of your results. Similar sounding answers to a question might be based on diverse interpretations of the question. UNESCO's definition of human security seems to me somewhat incomplete in the sense that it merely regards the absence of violence as an essential condition for preventing 'significant human tragedies'. I can't think of anyone who would disagree with that, even when taking into account Galtung's diverse forms of violence. Of course that does not take away from the simple truth of the definition. I see nonviolence more as a necessary but insufficient condition for human security. I have elaborated on my perspective of human security at http://www.eoearth.org/article/Human_security:_a_comprehensive_perspective I agree with your view on development. As for environmental stewardship versus environmental management, you have me in a bind. I think that neither covers all contingencies adequately. I prefer stewardship for its ethical implications while management to me has a ring of instrumentalism and technological hubris. What I am looking for is a term that places the steward/manager smack into the middle of the ecosystem as an integral part of it. This role requires of the human decision maker a measure of respect for ecosystems and future generations, an absolute dedication to the goal of sustainability, and a holistic perspective that values and takes note of the interconnections among all life forms. Unfortunately I do not have a short term that encompasses all that, other than something vague like 'holistic stewardship'. About restraint: I think that UNESCO's definition of sustainable consumption makes it sound too easy. A global population of one billion that respects the principle of distributive justice could plausibly refrain from producing luxury cars and jet airplanes (along with some other luxury items) and argue that its collective consumption is sustainable. For a global population of ten billion, even if it is optimally distributed in the form of 10,000 cities of one million each, the same cannot be argued. At some population size consumption cannot possibly be sustainable even if everybody lives in equitable poverty and misery. My point is that in order to be workable the definition needs to place a limit on the total environmental impact of the collective consumption. Such a statement is politically impossible for an organisation such as UNESCO, hence my disaffection. I completely agree with your view that respecting cultural diversity is an absolute necessity towards the goal of preventing violence, which in turn is essential for achieving sutainability. I find it useful to invoke the concept of cultural safety to emphasise this focus on non-violence. But every society needs to agree on necessary limits to moral pluralism, as we in North America have by deciding not to tolerate slavery, child labour, and ritual mutilation (I wish), no matter how well those practices might be justified in the light of specific cultural traditions. The Pelican home page looks very impressive. I will suggest to the editor in chief of the Journal of Human Security (which I am associated with as associate editor) to consider commissioning a review. I will study it some more and perhaps find specific ways to contribute. My day job is training teachers but I try to incorporate ESD at every opportunity. One easily accessible reference is http://www.aare.edu.au/04pap/lau04260.pdf Alex Alex Lautensach School of Education, University of Northern BC,Canada August 3, 2009 Hello Luis, You asked for some feedback on your survey. Well, here goes ... I found the questions to be very pertinent, concise and unambiguous. My only reservations refer to a lack of definitions with such key terms as 'development', 'human security', and 'sustainability' itself. I am not sure whether UNESCO ever threw the Brundtland definition out the window as they should have a long time ago. Especially regarding human security I find most definitions, with the exception of the four-pillar model, rather problematic. And with development .. oh wow, where to even begin? For Q6 my answer was 'widespread ignorance of basic ecological facts'. But I have a problem with the proposition of stewardship itself. Stewardship is an acceptable metaphor when it refers to my relationship with my garden, but not so when it refers to the relationship an astronaut has to his/her space suit. Clearly under the dictum of sustainability we need to cover both perspectives. In Qs15&16 I again collided with what I suspect is unreflected UN speak. Does 'sustainable urbanization' mean more and larger cities? Or smaller ones and fewer of them? Or smaller ones but more of them? I might be persuaded to agree with the latter at best. Dito for consumption. I guess what I am missing here is a notion of the need for restraint, a notorious blind spot of UNESCO and many other organisations with good intentions and no teeth. In connection with the imperative for restraint what I find missing among UNECO's eight theme areas is some attention to the fundamental laws of human ecology (ecosystem structure, nutrient cycling, carrying capacity and the I=PAT relationship, stuff like that). Some reflection in that direction will lead to the realisation that uncritical moral pluralism (and mere promotion of 'cultural diversity') is not conducive towards the goals of sustainability, or sustainable development (whatever one means by that). Some practices, however well supported by cultural tradition, are simply no longer on. We all learned to accept that when it came to slavery, right? Perhaps this is an area where your publication (about which I know next to nothing - sorry) needs to distance itself from the fuzzy position advocated in UNESCOs discourse. Not knowing much about the process that this survey is part of I wanted to nevertheless let you know that I would be interested in becoming further involved in deliberations on ESD. I have published a bit in the area and may be able to make a contribution. Perhaps you could give me some more info on your project, provided that you are looking for further input? Best wishes, Alex Alex Lautensach School of Education, University of Northern BC,Canada 13 July 2009 Dear Luis T. Gutierrez, I received a copy of your questionnaire re sustainability. There is one glaring omission. As I understand the way things work, an absolutely necessary component of sustainability is high-functioning democracy. The reason is the protection of the commons is essential for sustainability. Democracy is the best form of governance to protect “the commons”, that upon which we are dependent for survival. Other forms of governance, especially the one prevalent in North America today (corporate-driven governance) seek to exploit the commons for the benefit of “investors” and (corporate) individual profit. The goals of corporate-driven governance are in direct conflict with the goals of sustainability. Also, the VALUES of the corporation are definitely not the values that lead to sustainability. (They lead to increasing militarization because the effort to exploit the commons for individual gain will necessarily lead to displeasure and resistance in the population. The responses that are then available to corporate-driven governance follow an escalating hierarchy that includes: - The creation of fear in the population (manufactured threats) - More propaganda, lying and brain-washing - Intimidation - An increasing police and military presence When both the goals AND values of the predominant model of governance in North America today are in conflict with the goals and values of sustainable communities, the only remedy I can see is to overthrow the predominant model of governance and replace it with true democracy. It is not possible to have sustainability if you do not address that essential component: governance. It is a pre-condition to sustainability. You are whistling in the wind if you do not address this aspect of sustainability. It is therefore not worth my while to fill in your questionnaire. For your consideration, Sandra Finley Green Party of Saskatchewan Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada 24 June 2009 Dear Luis, At least to me, it appears the human community cannot keep growing in the unbridled ways we are now because the gigantic current scale and rapid expansion of human activities in the wondrous, finite world God blesses us to inhabit could become unsustainable soon. What worries me most is that many people do not yet even see what we have before us as a formidable predicament, let alone its forbidding and growing magnitude. From my humble vantage point, many too many leaders who do see the huge global challenges {climate destabilization is one of them} that could soon be confronted by the family of humanity have chosen not to speak of them, but to remain electively mute and in denial. Although I am an ageing old worry-wart whose sight is failing and faculties are diminishing, it is necessary for me to fulfill a "duty to warn" by reporting that I see the potential for a colossal, human-induced ecological wreckage looming on the horizon. Hopefully, I am mistaken. Steven Salmony ssa.gov 22 June 2009 Luis: Answering/arriving at the answer about the nature, substance and requirements of education and training for sustainable development, to understand and manage existence and development, our natural role and responsibility in sustainable, equitable, secure and peaceful ways will require a bit of discussion. The answers cannot be reached in a direct and easy way. It requires considering and discussing, establishing clarity of mind and understanding, in a step-by-step way, of a number of related issues, setting the stage for the answers to emerge, become clear, obvious and self-evident. The issues that need to be considered and discussed include; the natural conditions, demands and challenges of existence, which in the first instant define and govern human existence and development, distinct and different from establish socio-cultural beliefs, views, values, conventions and practices; how today we understand and manage existence and development, limits, shortcomings and contradictions, where, how and why they contradict, conflict with or fall short of the natural conditions of existence, problematic results and consequences; traditional education and training, focus and objectives, the knowledge, skills and practices that are developed, limits, shortcomings and contradictions; the direction of the answers and solutions, the understanding, conceptual foundation and framework of understanding, and the mental faculties, our natural mental potential, natural mental powers and abilities, necessary mental skills and practices that must be develop, how to develop and use them, to understand and manage existence and development, our natural role and responsibility in our existence and development, both our mental and physical existence and development, in sustainable ways, within the natural parameters, the boundaries and limits of existence set by nature, which lie beyond human control, without contradicting, conflicting with or falling short of the natural conditions, demands and challenges of existence, and creating persisting and growing environmental, as well as cultural, religious, political, social, economic-financial, interpersonal and individual problems, difficulties and crises, conflicts, confrontations and violence. Within this context, it is necessary, to avoid misunderstanding and ambiguity, establish common ground in views and understanding, clarify points, issues, misunderstanding, identify points of difference, consider and discuss the reasons and causes behind differences, to engage in the discussion of points and issues raised and responding to questions in a direct, to the point and detailed way. Explaining oneself, one's view and understanding at some length, in depth and detail, not limiting oneself to one-liners, written in the margins, that only marginally relate to the points and issues made or questions raised. Let me know if you want to proceed down this road, and engage in this kind of discussion. Axel Dr. Axel Dorscht, Founder Institute for Human Conceptual and Mental Development (IHCMD) 9 Second Avenue, Suite 2, Ottawa, ON K1S 2H2 Canada Website: http://www.ihcmd.org 5 June 2009 Dear SSNV journal editor, There are a large number of different organizations that support sustainability, solidarity, and non-violence. However, this is in contrast to the goal of solidarity--how can all of these organizations form a single whole if they are separated by the sheer number of organizations? The organizations are also less powerful separate than together. Perhaps these separate organizations should join forces? I've spent a number of years knowing that something was wrong with our society--and spent a large amount of time searching for truth via the internet. This search landed me at the Zeitgeist movement. The reason I feel this movement is more powerful than others is that it is results-oriented; it has been spearheaded by two very creative and intelligent individuals, Peter Joseph and Jacques Fresco; it has a series of free movies that encapsulate, very efficiently, the problems our society faces; and it already has a global force of more than 200,000 people. The movie that started it all is called "Zeitgeist" and can be viewed for free at www.zeitgeistmovie.com and is one of the most downloaded movies on the internet. I write this letter not as a member of the Zeitgeist movement, but as an individual inspired by that movement hoping to foster greater solidarity among like-spirited individuals; individuals that are well aware of (and educated in) the technological abilities of mankind, yet desire a peaceful, prosperous, and spiritually grounded future for all. Thanks, Jon Spalding Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Rochester, New York, USA Greetings: Your email was forwarded to me in connection with a survey looking for issues that have to be considered when addressing the sustainability challenge. This has been a topic of interest since before sustainable Development was coined as a phrase. Our study of what citizens' groups are concerned turned up the following definition of sustainability. Well-being can be sustained when activities: 1 - use materials in continuous cycles. 2 - use continuously reliable sources of energy. 3 - come mainly from the qualities of being human (i.e. creativity, communication, movement, appreciation, and spiritual and intellectual development). Long-term well-being is diminished when activities: 4 - require continual inputs of non-renewable resources. 5 - use renewable resources faster than their rate of renewal. 6 - cause cumulative degradation of the environment. 7 - require resources in quantities that undermine other people's well-being. 8 - lead to the extinction of other life forms. We have found that it is a very effective introduction to the topic when followed with the questions: Is this what we mean by sustainability? If it is not, upon what point or points do we disagree? For what reasons? Is there anything missing? It's yours if you can use it. More resulting from our work over the last few decades is offered at http://www.SustainWellBeing.net Best wishes for your efforts. Yours, Mike Nickerson Sustainability Project - 7th Generation Initiative http://www.SustainWellBeing.net -------------------------------------------------- We are faced today with an enormous challenge. Human beings fill the Earth, yet, our tradition is to grow more. We must change direction and pursue a new goal, a steady state relationship with our planet. See "The Challenge and the Goal" at: http://www.SustainWellBeing.net/challengeandgoal.html --------------------------------------------------- 4 May 2009 Dear Professor Jugessur (cc. SSNV Editor), It was a pleasure reading your article in the April edition of Solidarity, Sustainability, and Non-violence. I would like to humbly submit a small addition based on my observations of today's society. I feel a lot of the state of society today has to do with the prevalent model of education. The education system at large (as followed nearly all over the world) stresses on individual achievements and individual achievements alone. From the day one enters school, the stress is on excelling in exams, keeping good notes, and making sure that one does better than the rest of the class. This ingrains in us a deep sense of cut-throat competition and ego. On stepping out of school, the fight to get into a good university begins. Again, the better the university, the better your respect and status in society and the more it boosts our egos. We go through 20 years of education in this format. And to top it all, at no point of time are we taught compassion, never are we taught how to treat a fellow human being, never are we taught the value of gender equality, the very foundations on which sustainable development lies (the millennium development goals for example) are not addressed at school level for maximum impact. Even the individuals and organizations involved in so called 'environmental education' fail to realize that the environment includes people as well, and if one is not compassionate towards their fellow humans, they cannot be compassionate to the ecology alone, because these have always been inextricably linked. Sukhi Parivaar, as you may well be aware, is a Sanskrit term, and in the traditional knowledge systems of Sanskrit, education was imparted in the same way as you define a family. Experience sharing, practical knowledge and compassionate overall development was of prime focus. Unless the entire education system is not revamped to instill such fundamental value systems in children, the family can never sit around the same table and honestly share their daily experiences. The issue flagged by the SSNV journal of 'How to foster changes in human behaviour that are conducive to SSNV' can never be effectively addressed without such a fundamental change in our educational system and training. How do you feel about this? Kindest regards, Gaurav Shorey, Area Convenor, Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA), The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), New Delhi, India 7 April 2009 Thank you for sending out information about the SSNV consultation. I’ve filled out the questionnaire and have forwarded it to people associated with Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Canada, a national body co-chaired by David Bell from EASO and Mary Ferguson from BC Hydro. I’m also ‘blind copying’ this to others who have completed the questionnaire, so they are aware that ESD Canada exists. I was glad to have a chance to reflect on this topic and to provide input that emphasizes the importance of approaching sustainability with positive outcomes in mind. I find these issues to be overwhelming at times because there is so much justifiable doom and gloom around them. I suspect that the best way for ESD to gain ‘traction’ is to remain cautiously (stubbornly?) optimistic and focus on real benefits that would accrue as we adopt more sustainable practices. Glenn C. Sutter, Ph.D. Head Curator of Life Sciences Royal Saskatchewan Museum 6 April 2009 I am so pleased to learn that you will do a series on Sustainability education. That is why I would like to introduce you to Caretakers of the Environment International, an environmental education network of high school students and teachers that has reached youth in more than 100 countries. As you can see in the attached file, we have hosted many conferences on sustainability and related themes . Our organization was represented at the 1992 UN Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro; and honored as a success story at the 1991 Global Assembly of Women and the Environment in Miami, and by Renew America. Would you be interested in a paper that presents some of our insights and experience? Isabel S. Abrams Co-founder and Director/Communications Caretakers of the Environment International 11 March 2009 Thanks for introducing me to this excellent website of yours. I have been working on SD issues for the best part of 40 years since my behaviour and ecosystem studies in the rainforests of Malaysia, and teach a course on it at Imperial College London. Best wishes, Jose Jose Ireneu dos Remedios Furtado Imperial College London 9 March 2009 With regard to Genesis and Human Nature: Psychosomatic-Spiritual Unity See: http://trumpeter.athabascau.ca/index.php/trumpet/article/view/328/504 Discovering Us: The Ecology of God. Trumpeter; v11 n3 p127-30 Sum 1994. [....] The word Human has its roots in humus, a fertile forest soil. Just one teaspoon of soil consists of water, minerals and many other species: five million bacteria, twenty million fungi, one million protozoa and two hundred thousand algae. This coincides with our bodies containing water, minerals and ten times as many cells of non-human species as human cells. Over half our body weight consists of the weight of "foreign" microorganism species; over 115 different species live on our skin alone. In addition, the natural world, Us, flows through us. Every 5-7 years every molecule in our body is replaced, atom by atom, by new molecules attracted in from the environment. The natural environment becomes us, we become it. We and nature are Us because we are each other. Converging evidence suggests that the Genesis sequence and its statement ".....And God said `Let us make man in our image, after our likeness,'" spiritually and scientifically makes each of us a seamless continuum of the natural world. We and it are Us. Mike Cohen Project Nature Connect 4 February 2009 As usual, the exhaustive analysis of such economic change as is needed to achieve sustainability stops far short of what is actually necessary. I believe we have had this discussion previously; nevertheless, I shall make one final attempt to trace the essential steps in the required logic: Anywhere from 75% to 90% of the current energy budget of the US must be charged to the market system itself. Every imaginable market system will absorb a huge share of the available energy even supposing that the four factors that necessitate economic growth are eliminated, which would open a path to a steady state economy but not one that could be fueled exclusively with renewable energy and hence not sustainable. [....] Tom Wayburn http://dematerialism.net/ http://dematerialism.wikispaces.com/ 30 January 2009 How to overcome the current global crisis? The world is in the opening phase of a dehumanizing global crisis. Ecohumanism is a partnership-based co-operation for the common good of all people (rich and poor, from countries highly developed and behind in development), their descendants, and natural environment - commonly supported by science and high technology (including information culture). Two important world crisis management events will be held in the 2009 year: G20 (London, April 2nd) and the UN General Assembly. I propose to try to include into programs of both above events our strategic proposal: TO START TO CREATE THE WORLD INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT POLICY AND ECONOMY. Without that information system none of the main UN tasks: MDGs, (“three pillars”) sustainable development of the world society, fair globalization, sustained economic growth, decoupling economy growth and resources depletion - are possible to achieve. See also: Leslaw Michnowski, Eco-Humanism and Popular System Dynamics as Preconditions for Sustainable Development, Solidarity, Sustainability, and Non-Violence (SSNV) Research Newsletter, Vol. 3, No. 11, November 2007. Leslaw Michnowski, Ecohumanism as a Developmental Crossing, [in:] Sri Sadguru Sainathaya Namah, Transformative Pathways Attainable Utopias, (red. Sangeeta Sharma), Jaipur, India, 2008. Leslaw Michnowski, Polish Academy of Sciences 15 January 2009 I am writing to announce the new Fostering Sustainable Behavior website and digest. Forums & Digest: As of this email we have replaced the Fostering Sustainable Behavior listserv with a combination of online discussion forums and an html-based digest. Since we have deactivated the old listserv, messages sent to it will not reach anyone. If you wish to ask a question or provide assistance to others, please use the new discussion forums. Beginning tomorrow the text-based digest that you have been receiving will be replaced with the revamped Fostering Sustainable Behavior digest. The new digest is html-based and substantially easier to read and respond to. If you would like to provide us with feedback on the new site and digest please use the discussion forum thread, ‘Feedback on New Site and Digest’ to do so. We hope that you find the new site, discussion forums and digest useful. Doug McKenzie-Mohr, Ph.D. Environmental Psychologist Fostering Sustainable Behavior 7 January 2009 It appears that as the subject of "sustainability" is gaining popularity, the definition of sustainability is becoming less focused; although there is a myriad of projects whose concern is professedly "sustainability", "sustainability" is becoming progressively less likely achievable, because it is hard to achieve something that we don't know clearly what it actually is. It is not that individuals would not know what "sustainability" might mean to them, but it is that each person's "sustainability" might be very different, if not even at odds with, from what "sustainability" might mean to others. "Sustainability" could be modeled, creating a "picture" of what an ideal "sustainable" future of any geopolitical entity on Earth should be, using as input all the various ideas that virtually all people might have about what "sustainability" might mean together with the sum total of what we know of Earth in order to see how each and any of those ideas would fare under "real" conditions in a model. Would there exist a model of what to all an optimal future should look like, the currently available process of creating our common future that currently is in the hands of people whose interests are not necessarily identical with that of those they represent would benefit by the fact that every one could compare the performance of those who govern to that what actually should be happening. Please, let me know what you think of the idea. There is more about the idea at: http://www.modelearth.org Thank you, sincerely, Mr. Jan Hearthstone Defining Sustainability: Designing a Sustainable Earth |Back to Top|

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