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Mother Pelican
A Journal of Solidarity and Sustainability
Vol. 21, No. 5, May 2025
Luis T. Gutiérrez, Editor
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Future Sustainability:
Ten Systemic Challenges Outlined
Clifton Ware
This article was originally published by
Clif Ware's Substack, 19 March 2025
REPUBLISHED WITH PERMISSION
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Recap
The two previous posts discussed What Does Sustainability Mean? and Two Contrasting Paradigms: Pro-Growth vs. Post-Growth. The discussion continues with this post in addressing a series of multiple complex challenges facing humanity and the planet. I also recommend scanning two earlier series of posts that present ideas and proposals for envisioning (six parts) and designing (four parts) a sustainable future. Altogether, these posts provide an appropriate introduction and overview of information related to this post, as well as to future postings.
An Outline –Ten Systemic Socioecological Challenges This is the first time I have relied to such an extent on the assistance of generative artificial intelligence (gen AI) for most of a post. AI has helped identify ten systemic categories of challenges. In this particular case, a search lasting fewer than ten seconds combed through a vast storage of digital data to produce appropriate answers to my queries, as listed below. Of course, the demand for AI’s intensive energy requirement for data storage and computation also poses a major downside challenge in creating a sustainable future. Indeed, AI alone presents a formidable challenge going forward. My search began with asking two questions, with responses forthcoming from a friendly and helpful ChatGPT chatbot. First Question: What challenges does humanity face in creating a sustainable future – ideologically, socio-culturally, economically, ecologically, politically, and practically? ChatGPT Response: Creating a sustainable future is one of humanity’s greatest challenges, and it spans multiple dimensions—ideological, socio-cultural, economic, ecological, political, and practical. Here’s a breakdown of key obstacles in each area: 1. Ideological Challenges Conflicting Worldviews: Sustainability often clashes with deeply ingrained beliefs, such as prioritizing economic growth over ecological balance. Short-Term Thinking: Many people and governments focus on short-term gains rather than long-term sustainability. Anthropocentrism vs. Ecocentrism: There is an ongoing debate between prioritizing human progress versus recognizing the intrinsic value of nature. Resistance to Change: Many individuals and institutions resist altering lifestyles or policies due to fear of loss or inconvenience.
2. Socio-Cultural Challenges Consumerism & Materialism: Modern societies are built on high consumption, making sustainability seem like a threat to economic well-being. Cultural Inertia: Traditions, habits, and social norms take time to shift, even when they are unsustainable. Inequality & Injustice: Wealthier nations and individuals consume disproportionately more resources, while poorer communities often bear the brunt of environmental degradation. Misinformation & Greenwashing: Corporations and individuals sometimes exploit sustainability rhetoric for marketing without real commitment to change.
3. Economic Challenges Dependence on Fossil Fuels: Many economies are still heavily reliant on unsustainable energy sources. Profit-Driven Systems: Short-term corporate profits often take precedence over long-term environmental and social sustainability. Cost of Transition: Shifting to sustainable infrastructure requires significant investment, which is a barrier for developing nations. Job Disruptions: Transitioning to a green economy could displace workers in industries like coal, oil, and manufacturing. Unsustainable Growth Models: The global economy is based on continuous expansion, which contradicts the finite limits of Earth’s resources.
4. Ecological Challenges Climate Change Acceleration: Rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, and sea-level rise threaten ecosystems and human societies. Biodiversity Loss: Deforestation, pollution, and habitat destruction are leading to mass extinctions and ecosystem collapse. Resource Depletion: Freshwater scarcity, soil degradation, and overfishing are depleting essential natural resources. Waste & Pollution: Plastic waste, toxic chemicals, and electronic waste continue to overwhelm landfills and oceans.
5. Political Challenges Lack of Global Cooperation: Nations prioritize their own economic interests over collective sustainability goals. Weak Regulations & Enforcement: Even when policies exist, enforcement is often inadequate due to corruption or lack of resources. Lobbying & Corporate Influence: Fossil fuel and other powerful industries manipulate policies to maintain the status quo. Political Polarization: Climate action and sustainability have become politicized, slowing down meaningful progress. Nationalism vs. Global Responsibility: Some governments reject global sustainability agreements in favor of short-term national benefits.
6. Practical Challenges Infrastructure Overhaul: Many cities, industries, and transportation systems were built on unsustainable foundations, requiring massive redesigns. Technological Limitations: While green technologies exist, scalability, affordability, and efficiency are still evolving. Food Security: Feeding a growing global population sustainably is a major challenge due to industrial agriculture’s environmental impact. Public Engagement: Many people lack the education, motivation, or empowerment to participate in sustainable solutions. Energy Transition: Shifting to renewable energy while ensuring reliability and accessibility remains a logistical hurdle.
After providing the above responses to each requested category requested, the ChatGPT chatbot added: “Despite these challenges, solutions exist in every sector—through innovation, education, policy changes, and cultural shifts. Humanity must embrace systemic transformation, collaborative governance, and regenerative economic models to create a sustainable future.” Next, when the chatbot asked if I would like to focus on a particular area or explore potential solutions further, I requested information regarding Educational Challenges. To my pleasant surprise, the chatbot also added challenges associated with three more categories of challenges: Psychological and Behavioral, Technological & Scientific, and Legal & Institutional. 7. Educational Challenges Lack of Awareness: Many people, especially in underprivileged communities, have limited knowledge about sustainability issues and solutions. Outdated Curricula: Traditional education systems often fail to emphasize ecological literacy, climate science, and sustainable practices. Critical Thinking Deficit: Misinformation and climate denial thrive when people lack media literacy and critical thinking skills. Access & Equity Issues: Educational opportunities are not equally distributed, meaning sustainability knowledge remains concentrated in wealthier regions. Separation of Disciplines: Sustainability is inherently interdisciplinary, but many education systems do not integrate environmental studies with economics, politics, and social sciences. Resistance to Change in Academia: Institutional inertia slows the adoption of sustainability-focused curricula and research priorities.
8. Psychological & Behavioral Challenges Cognitive Dissonance: Many people understand environmental problems but struggle to change their behaviors due to habit, convenience, or perceived sacrifice. Eco-Anxiety & Despair: The scale of the crisis can lead to paralysis, hopelessness, or inaction. Status Quo Bias: People tend to resist change, even when unsustainable practices are clearly harmful. Moral Licensing: Some individuals feel that small eco-friendly actions (e.g., recycling) justify larger unsustainable behaviors (e.g., excessive travel).
9. Technological & Scientific Challenges Energy Storage & Grid Limitations: Renewable energy is advancing, but storage solutions for intermittent sources like solar and wind remain a challenge. Sustainable Industrial Practices: Many essential industries (e.g., cement, steel, and chemicals) still lack scalable, low-carbon alternatives. Geoengineering Risks: Some proposed technological solutions (like carbon capture or solar radiation management) could have unintended consequences. Ethical Considerations: Innovations like lab-grown meat, genetic engineering, and artificial intelligence raise ethical and ecological concerns.
10. Legal & Institutional Challenges Weak Environmental Laws: Many nations have outdated or inadequate policies regarding pollution, conservation, and climate action. International Law Enforcement: Even when agreements exist (e.g., the Paris Agreement), enforcement mechanisms are weak or voluntary. Corporate Accountability Loopholes: Large multinational corporations exploit regulatory gaps to continue unsustainable practices. Slow Legal Adaptation: Laws often lag behind scientific advancements, making it difficult to regulate emerging sustainability technologies.
Wrap Up I’m sure you’ll agree that these ten systemic categorical challenges represent highly complex and complicated interconnections that, altogether, create a massive meta-challenge for humanity. Determining appropriate responses will require cooperative and collaborative efforts between leaders representing all categories. Perhaps you also find such a helpful outline of challenges an amazing accomplishment, with all information culled from an extensive storage of online data. What’s most astounding is the speed at which the information was gathered and produced, literally within seconds. Before signing off from this ChatGPT session, I expressed my appreciation for answers provided, and, as usual, the chatbot graciously replied on a positive note, conveying a willingness to continue providing research assistance. I replied, “No, thanks, that’s all for this session!” The next post will follow up with information related to the two previous posts plus this one, elaborating on certain topics and adding overlooked information and responses. If you have any input – suggestions, comments, or recommendations – please feel free to contact me via Substack. Till next time . . .
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Clifton Ware, D.M., retired professor (voice), professional singer and author of four published books and two unpublished works, retired in 2007 from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities School of Music, where he taught for 37 years. Since retiring, as a self-described socio-ecological philosopher he has spent 15 years focusing on sustainability issues, in the process of acquiring an evidence-based, big-picture understanding of all principal societal and ecological systems, including the symbiotic interconnections and role of humans as an integral part of Nature. In 2013 he founded Citizens for Sustainability in St. Anthony Village, MN, produced Sustainability News + Views (2014-2019), a weekly newsletter featuring a variety of articles and a commentary, co-composed 13 Eco Songs with his wife, Bettye, organized Sustainability Forums, and performed eco-oriented programs and presentations for several organizations.
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"It is no measure of health to be well
adjusted to a profoundly sick society."
Jiddu Krishnamurti (1895-1986)
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