From:
Meera Soni <meerasoni**At_Symbol_Here**gmail.com>Date: Sun, 13 Sep 2009 21:04:36 +1000
Subject: Re: Fw: [DCHAS-L] 3 Re:
[DCHAS-L] sustainability definition
"meeting the needs of the
present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet
their own needs."
Its a well accepted and also a well critiqued
definition for sustainable development.
The
definition, quoted by the Thacher government, takes a 'vague approach'
by including
inestimable
words like 'needs' or 'future'. However the ambiguity is
intentional to leave room for flexibility and scope for custom-made
context responsive solutions.
The concept of sustainability is a proponent of versatility aimed at
longevity of a process or a product. Nevertheless, at all times it
speaks of a holistic approach considering the three spheres of ecology,
society and economics.
Again,
the definition is useful to initiate thought and accumulate quantity of
believers, however is fatal to the concept of sustainability once it
comes to the practical application. Due to the intended ambiguity, the
concept can be interpreted in in numerous ways, some of which may be
actually counter-productive.
Few
principles, as quoted by Kyoto protocol, are of use
here:
Precautionary Principle,
that is, do not practice something which is known to be counter
productive towards the goal of sustainability
Equity, that is across generations, and across
nations.
Sustainability may have been in practice since many
decades at different levels and with varying degrees of vigor.
Currently, due to the urgency of climate change, the one crucial aim of
practicing sustainability is to reduce carbon footprint of any act,
process or product. As critical the aim is, sustainable development is a
much wider and idealistic concept which may seem to be failing under the
financial, fuel and food crisis of the contemporary world. The theory is
not only about a technological fix, say photovoltaic cells, or of a
social improvement, say grass root level approach, or of conserving
biodiversity. The theory of sustainable development encompasses all. To
practice the right approach at the right place, in the right time; while
being aware of the larger level issues and intentionally responding to
the context is a step towards sustainable development.
Meera
Soni
Architect
Master of Sustainable Development,
UNSW
