Sunday, 25 May 2014

Week ten: Principles of sustainability

What are the principles of sustainability?
They are expressed into five main domains:
  • The material domain
To regulate the flow of materials and energy necessary for existance. If we look at the primary laws of thermodynamics, then we must conclude that our current industry approach is wasteful and destructive. if we redesign this, it may become more regenerative.
  • The economic domain
To have a framework to create and manage wealth.
Our economis framework may be one of short-term goals, but it may also be one of the long-term. Our basic interests and concerns will determine our choice. As a whole, the current economic system does not take into account the depletion and pollution which accompanies it. This pattern needs to be changed to make our economic framework align with nature itself.
  • The domain of life
to behave appropriate in the biosphere. Humans have beeen able to adapt and survive under changing circumstances because other animals, species and habitats have been destroyed. Diversity of all forms of live in our biosphere has to ensured and maintained.
  • The social domain
To know about social interactions. Because diversity is so important, we have to encourage variety and plurality in social forms. Maximising the degree of freedom for all humans without competition amongst them, will support this diversity positively.
  • The spiritual domain
To provide the attitude and a universal code of ethics. This will make us see the difference between and the consequenses of either an ego-centric or a nurturing approach. If we see the continuus link between ourselves and everything surrounding us, we will use universal ethics to guide our actions.

These five principles each have their own derived policy and operational implications.
Each domain effects all the others and in turn is also affected by them.
So, if we look at this system, then we see that nature is interdependent. Earth has the ability to accomodate life abundantly. But humans have disturbed the essential balance. And now we need to find this balance again, for the sake of our own future.

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